Fiona Styant’s strong bonds with franchisees and family are helping to fuel MOLLY MAID’s success
Fiona Styant, director of franchise development, says MOLLY MAID Canada is a premium home cleaning company that enriches lives one clean at a time. “We enable franchise partners to live out their entrepreneurial dreams, while empowering team members to build their own dreams, and who together give our customers the gift of free time through a clean home,” she explains.
Coming off the exciting Silver Franchisee of the Year Award recognition for Sudbury MOLLY MAID franchisees Kelsi Ashley and Erin Levesque at the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) awards, Styant says MOLLY MAID has much to celebrate.
Here, the self-described fearless, witty, and straight-shooting Styant shares her top advice for franchising success. On top of her passion for the franchise business model, Styant comes clean about what drives her forward, including loyalty, an aversion to procrastination, a love for her two boys, and a desire to fly a plane. Read on to learn more!
The most interesting thing I’ve done recently is… Enroll in flight classes.
In its best form, work is… Exciting! I love working with people to see if they are going to be the right fit with MOLLY MAID.
A good franchisee… Walks the talk. They execute their business plan and follow the franchise system.
A good franchisor… Is a supportive partner in grime!
My top advice for prospective franchisees is… Do your homework! Some of our best partners are those who have done their due diligence to make sure MOLLY MAID is the right fit for them. You should ask questions, make sure to read through the franchise agreement, disclosure document and provide it to your lawyer to ensure you understand the obligations and know who you are partnering with.
My top advice for new franchisors is… Ensure systems and processes are in place before expanding. Be fair, ethical, and honest with your franchise partners and celebrate every success!
The most important thing in life is… Family! (Including my extended MOLLY MAID family).
One of the most enjoyable things to do is… Anything but clean. There are people to help with that!
The hardest thing for me to do is… Keep my house clean with two little dirt magnets (aka my boys)!
My favourite drink is… Pink Whitney with a splash of soda!
If I could change one thing… We would have world peace. Also, I would love it if every lead I received was the perfect franchise partner for MOLLY MAID!
If I could meet anyone… I’d love to have met Princess Diana. She was elegant, graceful, a wonderful mother, and an inspiring woman.
The person who has had the most positive influence on me as a businessperson is… Jim MacKenzie, Chairman of MOLLY MAID International. Jim has taught me many business lessons, including the importance of finding the ‘right’ franchise partner, not just taking someone’s cheque because it’s easy. That business is all about the people, not the business itself. Always taking time to make sure we are doing the right thing, not just taking the easy road.
Canadian franchising is… Really expanding. It’s an exciting time to work in franchising!
My franchise system began because… There was a need in the market for a professional cleaning service. At that time, there were only the ‘underground/private’ cleaning ladies. Our society was changing, women were going out to work, and the dual-income family was becoming more prevalent.
The most positive influence on my life as a person is… My dad. He taught me to always show up and give it “your all.”
The key to success is… Do the work. Avoid procrastinating and get it done!
I’d like my friends to describe me as… Loyal, trustworthy, always there when needed, and good for a laugh.
The accomplishment I look forward to the most is… Having raised two boys who become kind, respectful men who contribute positively to the world.
My personal motto is… Stress is just a state of mind.
One necessary item on my life’s “to do” list is… Fly a plane!