Member Article

Fife Husband & Wife Duo Shortlisted For Prestigious Award

With June around the corner, excitement for the 2019 bfa HSBC Franchise Awards are reaching new heights, held this year at The Vox, Birmingham on June 27th.

Husband and wife team Jon and Elaine Warburton have been shortlisted for the franchisee category Lifestyle, which focuses on people who have found their way into franchising to improve their way of life.

Based in Kinross and running the Fife & Kinross area, Jon and Elaine invested in dog sitting service Barking Mad to fulfil their dream of working with animals and gaining financial security. With 18 pets, they are were well equipped to work with animals and feel privileged to be nominated for an award doing what they love.

Elaine explained: “Since opening Barking Mad four-years ago, we haven’t really felt like we have worked a day, we love animals, and so to get the opportunity to look after different dogs each day is great.

“It’s a real privilege to be nominated for this award, we have a very busy life and sometimes it is a squeeze with all of these animals – but to have our commitment recognised is amazing.”

Elaine and John recently caused a stir when they found a royal match for Newfoundland dog, Prince Harry, a regular at Barking Mad, with another dog called Meghan, making a successful PR campaign which saw them get national attention.

The bfa awards was created 22 years ago to give recognition to the outstanding work in franchising, and celebrate with the franchising industry.

Pip Wilkins, CEO of the bfa, believes the pair fit the franchise model perfectly: “Their love and dedication to animals couldn’t fit any better with the Barking Mad franchise model.” “They both do a lot for the community, including dog walking sessions and coffee mornings, and it is really apparent that owning this franchise has enabled them to love their dreams and mould work around their lives, rather than vice-versa.

John and Elaine will go head-to-head against two other franchisees in the Lifestyle category, which includes Stagecoach, a company that teaches performing arts to young people, and The Christmas Decorators, a provider of seasonal decorations.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Lumley .