Melissa Sincock receives her Franchisee of the Year Award from Barking Mad MD, Lee Dancy
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of the UK’s leading dog sitting service? Perhaps you are considering buying a pet care franchise yourself and are wondering just how compatible a Barking Mad business would be with your lifestyle?
Meet our Franchisee of the Year
Melissa Sincock is a busy working Mum who balances running a highly successful, home based dog holiday business with family life, in a way which just wouldn’t be possible in a corporate environment. Her business, Barking Mad Middlesex, has simply gone from strength to strength due to her talented and dynamic proprietorship, supported by Barking Mad’s brand exposure, industry leading support systems and seventeen year winning formula.
Melissa enjoys spreading the word about Barking Mad at a local show
We caught up with Melissa for a chat recently and asked if she would give us some insight into what her average working day entails. She was only too happy to oblige and provided us with this fantastic account of a ‘day in the life’…
” I start nice and early to get organised for the day ahead, printing off pet schedules and getting my hair done. The kids get up around 7.30am, with a little persuasion! They feed the cats and our Cockatiel, which was a gift from a customer.
I check my emails and get the bags packed for my day ahead. I often make a packed lunch for myself and a grab a bottle of water if I’m off out and about all day. Off we go to school around 8.30am, rucksack in hand, kids still brushing their hair… the usual! By 9am school drop off is done and it’s all about the dogs…
I have a new customer to see with a gorgeous young Schnauzer called Freddy. We have a lovely chat and I go through how Barking Mad’s dog home boarding service would work for Freddy and his owner. I take down all of Freddy’s particulars and his routine and we enjoy a cup of tea. I have a lovely cuddle with Freddy before leaving with all the information I need. I can see that Freddie’s owner is reassured that all will be well and that’s what makes my role so rewarding.
At 11.30am I’m off to see a new host but on the way I have a call from a host to say that Roxy, one of our regular doggy guests on holiday, is poorly. I pull over to chat to the host and we decide that she needs to see her vet urgently. I call my employee and book an appointment with Roxy’s own vet for her to be seen straight away. Once all is arranged, I call her owners to let them know and reassure them. I will be back in contact once Roxy has been to see the vet.
I still manage to get to my potential new host on time! I have another lovely cup of tea and we chat about dogs and life in general. After getting to know her and carrying out all the necessary checks, as well as explaining how our 5* rated dogsitting service works, we realise that hosting will be a perfect way for her to have a dog in her life as and when she wants. She is pleased to discover that she can just have small dogs to stay, as she would not feel comfortable walking a large dog. I am delighted – she has so much to offer a dog on holiday and I know she will love hosting. I leave her home two hours later and will contact her tomorrow once I have matched her with a potential doggy partner to come and stay in a few week’s time.
Meeting with her Host Community is a very important and enjoyable part of Melissa’s routine
Whilst at the home of my new host, I speak to my employee and Roxy’s vet. The vet has taken bloods and a decision has been made to take her back to her host’s home to rest until her owners arrive home this evening. Roxy’s host had also accompanied her to the vet’s surgery as she is so fond of her and wanted to be there to support her. I update Roxy’s owners and will keep them in touch throughout the day. It is very rare that a dog falls ill on holiday but I am so proud of how we can support the dogs in this way and the level of care we can offer.
At 2pm I pop home to type up Freddy’s new pet schedule and arrange his perfectly matched host family for a trial sleepover and main holiday. I send this to his owner to approve.
At 2.30pm I’m off to pick up the kids from school and get ready to hear their stories about their day. I love doing this; in my previous role I wasn’t able to take them to school or pick them up and it’s a simple daily routine which I really appreciate.
At 3.30pm I’m back from the school run and responding to my emails. I check in on a few doggies who are staying with us to make sure everyone’s okay and get an update on Roxy. I have a few bits of admin to run through before I cook dinner, ensuring my employees have got their pet schedules for the week ahead and I confirm next week’s dogs on holiday with their owners.
At 6pm we have dinner and I fly off to yoga at 7pm, calling in on a host to drop her off some food shopping as she doesn’t drive and it’s a rainy day. She is an amazing host and I enjoy making sure she is looked after.
When I arrive back home I check on Roxy. All is good and she is back at home with her owners. They are relieved and will check in with their vet in the morning. Now it’s time for bed and to prepare for tomorrow…”
Would you enjoy a day like Melissa’s?
Why not find out more about our thoroughly rewarding, family friendly business opportunity? Territory areas are strictly exclusive so don’t delay in finding out if your area is still available! We have limited places for new business training this November so don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can email Lee direct today lee@barkingmad.uk.com or call for an informal chat on 03333 444972.
