Peter and Julie Maxted are the epitome of home-based working parents.  They have run a petsitting and houseminding business for over seven years and have now developed it further by offering a business licensing opportunity.  Julie also runs a community and business magazine, Holbrook Pages, in the Horsham area where they live and Peter has been running a commercial and residential decorating company since 1986.  Alongside this, Peter worked as a full time firefighter and retired last year after 30 years service.  They also have three teenagers and nine pets – so are consummate jugglers!

They are fortunate to have high energy levels and are extremely self-motivated.  Following Peter’s departure from the fire service, it enabled him to develop further the licensing opportunity within the pet care industry.  Peter and Julie had seen the growth potential within this type of business and they finally launched The Pets, Homes and Gardens Company (www.petshomesandgardens.co.uk)  in November ’09 to offer the business blueprint to others.

They decided very early on when putting this blueprint together that they would take the very best elements from the franchising and licensing models, such as training, the operations manual and the ongoing support, but would exclude the more onerous commitments, such as the ongoing marketing and administration charges and the hard-to-reach sales targets. Their aim has been to develop a licensing opportunity that is generous in its benefits and remarkable in its simplicity.

They both know that starting out on your own can be a daunting prospect. But with their extensive support, know-how and guidance being offered, The Pets, Homes and Gardens Company can help licensees take those first steps towards building a very successful business knowing that they have a strong, professional team backing them all the way.

Peter and Julie say this is an adaptable and family-friendly business opportunity.  It can be run on a part-time or full time basis or services can be offered in term time only. There is complete flexibility and control over the services that can be offered, from dog and small animal boarding to cat visits and housesitting.  All these opportunities can be discussed further by contacting them through the links on the website and requesting a full prospectus or calling 01403 268282.

People say to Peter and Julie that they don’t know how they manage to do all this and stay sane and together! However, they achieve this because there is something very satisfying about running a successful home-based business with the flexibility and lifestyle it creates.  They believe that this, for many people, is the future of working lives.