That’s because Ingrid, together with her husband and two sons, owns a Bedshed bedding franchise in Morley, WA.

“Owning a franchise takes so much of the risk out of running your own business,” she says. “It’s a small business but with all the extras – a strong brand, national buying power, marketing handled at both a state and national level, and practical support and advice from an experienced management team who know what works,” she says.

Ingrid is hands-on, runs her own show and loves the flexibility of making her own decisions.  And being her own boss, she also enjoys the freedom of choosing the hours she works.

Her partnership with Bedshed began more than a decade ago, after emigrating from England and purchasing a Bedshed store in Armadale, WA.  Keen to run a larger store, she later purchased Morley which she ran for eight years.

Needing some time out of the workforce, Ingrid and her husband sold Morley in 2003 but remained involved with Bedshed.  They soon missed the challenge and excitement of running a business, which led them to re-purchase the Morley store in 2008 and Ingrid is now in the process of opening her second store in Malaga.  Ingrid hopes that when she and her husband eventually retire, their two sons will continue to run the business.

Ingrid enjoys the flexibility and autonomy to tailor floor stock to her local area, a factor she believes is critical to the success of her franchise.

“We are encouraged to participate in overseas buying trips, subsidised by the company, where we can contribute to decisions on stock purchases,” says Ingrid, who went on her first buying trip this year with 15 other franchisees.

“We networked, we met suppliers and we saw where the products are made. Together we compared different viewpoints on the product range and looked at what products worked in different locations,” she says. “It also meant I could see the wide range of products available and add to the selection I stock in my particular store.”

Business trips are not the only time Ingrid travels oversees. She often returns to England to visit friends and family.  “I am lucky to be in a position to take time off from work and also to be financially comfortable enough to travel overseas.”

According to Ingrid, Bedshed’s democratic approach to product selection and its purchasing methods differentiates it from other bedding franchises. “We buy direct from suppliers, which cuts out the middle man so there’s no wholesaler taking a percentage of the profit and our pricing is much more competitive,” she says.

Ingrid says she knows many Bedshed franchisees who have done very well from their business. “The rewards are there for those who work hard. Ultimately, you’re the boss and the one in charge of making your own business profitable,” she says.