Apurva Sharma

Steady growth and expansion

For many successful Right at Home franchisees, the next logical step to maximise growth and ROI is to expand their territory. Apurva started Right at Home Reigate & Crawley in December 2016, and since then she has created a sturdy business in this original territory, putting her in a strong position to expand further and cover more postcodes. 

Apurva said: “We are very excited about expanding further into West Sussex. Horsham borders the southern part of our current territory, so after eight years, this felt like the natural next step. We hope to grow steadily and sustainably while maintaining and improving the quality of our service.”

The Right at Home model has sustainability at the heart, prioritising steady growth with a strong foundation to create a recession-proof business. This means any expansion should be strategic and any necessary groundwork laid in advance. Regarding Apurva’s new territories, she has been getting to know the community in these areas and researching the local needs that Right at Home Reigate and Crawley can meet in preparation for the expansion.

Joining The Alternative Board and Right at Home’s Franchise Advisory Council

As her business has grown, Apurva has been proactive in collaborating with other Franchisees, joining both an Alternative Board and the Franchise Advisory Council.

She found both of these organisations to be a boon for advice and a place to share her own expertise and specific experiences. She commented:

“I decided to get involved in The Alternative Board because I’d heard from other franchisees who were members that they’d experienced tangible benefits through joining a local board. They told me that they could share best practices and have frank, open discussions about the realities of running a business. The businesses involved are from the South East as well, which makes their knowledge even more relevant and applicable to my own operations.”

“I was also attracted to the structure The Alternative Board provides — especially the focus on setting 90-day goals. I knew I needed something that would help me turn long-term ambitions into regular, achievable steps, and The Alternative Board is a great framework to keep me accountable and moving in the right direction.”

According to many of our Franchise Owners, having a network of fellow entrepreneurs who have already come up against the same pressures as you is an invaluable resource as a business owner. Apurva agrees:

“The journey can be rewarding but also demanding and sometimes quite lonely. I wanted a place where I could speak honestly about both the operational challenges and the personal side of being a business owner. The Alternative Board offers a confidential environment with others who understand the pressures and can challenge and support me.”

With nearly ten years in the business, Apurva has become one of the most established Franchise Owners in the Right at Home network. In 2025, she was invited to join the Franchise Advisory Council. She explained:

“Being invited to join the Franchise Advisory Council this year felt like a natural progression and a meaningful opportunity to contribute more widely. Collaborative thinking always leads to better, more balanced outcomes, and I hope to make a positive difference through this role. We have an incredible network of Franchise Owners, and I’ve learned a great deal from peer groups over the years. Adopting best practice from others has genuinely shaped how we operate.”

The advantages of being a franchisee

It was clear to Apurva that she wanted to join a franchise rather than set up on her own, because she believed it would give her the best possible chance of not letting down those she wanted to help. 

“As I explored what would be required to get up and running and be successful, it seemed like having a clear path, a proven model and the ongoing support of an expert team at the National Office behind me was simply the obvious way to go.”

“Once my mind was made up to become a franchise owner, I got in touch with all of the companies out there, regularly asking questions. One company, I must say, just stood out above the others every time, and that was Right at Home. Everything just felt right, and the ethics and methods chimed perfectly with my own. I threw myself into the recruitment process and after presenting to Ken and Lucy it was thrilling to be invited to join. It really meant so much to me – I was very proud. And then it was straight to work!”

Like any business owner, Apurva has come up against some obstacles, but she overcame them with hard work, and support from the Right at Home network and National Office team. Now with a robust, established business, experience, and a strong team, Apurva says Right at Home Reigate & Crawley is well-positioned to navigate any challenges that come along.

“Like any business in the sector, we still face regular pressures, many of which are industry-wide. There is reassurance in knowing we are not alone, and the support of the franchisor and wider network helps us manage the more difficult periods. Growth, team development, and business scaling are good challenges to have, and they push us to improve continually.”

Would Apurva recommend Right at Home as a franchisee?

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my Right at Home journey so far. Although not everything was easy, each challenge has helped me learn and improve my skills as a business owner. The Right at Home support team invests significant time in understanding the operational realities we face and in translating complex legislation, regulatory changes, and sector pressures into clear, practical guidance. This allows me to focus on developing my team, improving service quality and planning long-term growth. Another positive is the excellent franchise network and a positive culture of camaraderie and support.”

To find out more about how Right at Home could be the right fit for you, call Kate or Chrissie for a friendly chat on 0151 305 0770 or contact franchising@rightathome.co.uk.