Dezeen promotion: joining an architecture practice franchise combines the independence of being self-employed with the support network of working for a company, according to architect Lisa Raynes.
Raynes founded the British franchise network Pride Road Architects in 2016 in a bid to give female architects a way to balance their practice with the demands of motherhood.
"The franchise concept is particularly attractive to mum architects because it offers support and camaraderie with the independence of having your own practice," said Raynes.
"I created Pride Road in order to share my knowledge and business model with any architects who would like to follow in my footsteps, to have a good income, take pride in their work, and have a much better balance between home life and their profession."
Lisa Raynes founded the Pride Road Architects franchise in 2016. Top artwork by Ben McPhee
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Raynes says a growing number of practitioners are now drawn to the idea of striking out on their own, in order to carve out more time for themselves and their families.
"This balance is attractive in the Covid economy to time-poor architects generally, not just to mums," she said.
As a franchising network, Pride Road allows architects to set up their own, local practice under the Pride Road umbrella, just like McDonald's allows qualified individuals to run their own McDonald's-branded restaurant.
Architects Magda Haener, Laura Sim...