Cat Robson-Scarborough picked up eight awards in her first year of business. But she is not afraid to say that not all awards are worthy of the title. Cat, co-founder of Your Man With a Van, an award winning national removals franchise, joins Debbie to share how she went from retail leadership to building one of the UK’s fastest growing removal franchises, now sixty six branches strong. Our guest shares her honest take on business awards, not all of it positive.
She explains why she and her husband Dan ditched their franchise consultant to build a fairer model, with low entry fees, rolling monthly contracts and no punishing commission structures. Cat also talks candidly about the courage it took to go against industry norms, the challenges of scaling quickly, and why she stepped away from the property network she founded to focus on the franchise.
Finally, we hear about her new podcasting venture, and how AI is being implemented while staying mindful of its wider social impact.
About Cat
Cat is Co-Founder and Franchise Director of Your Man With a Van, a multi-award winning national removals franchise. Cat has grown the network to 65 branches in just over two years with her husband Dan.
Recently named “Entrepreneur of the Year” at the Global Woman Awards and a genuine trailblazer in ethical franchising, she’s building something the industry doesn’t see often: a model where the harder you work, the more you keep.
Cat has spent her career understanding what genuine customer trust looks like and, just as importantly, how to protect it when a business grows. As UK Director of Retail and Customer Services at Orvis, with experience across some of Britain’s most respected consumer brands, she has also won awards at almost every organisation she has worked for. #
She knew when she met Dan, his was a business that had earned his customers’ trust. Together, they asked a simple question. Why couldn’t every town in the UK have this? That question became the Your Man With A Van franchise.
Cat is on a mission to help others achieve their business dreams whilst creating fair and equitable opportunities.
{2:35} Cat’s journey to founding Your Man With a Van.
{4:47} The philosophy behind franchising fairly.
{8:43} Using research and experience to create a franchise their way.
{10:59} Cat’s franchisee awards and using socials for recognition.
{13:47} The biggest challenges along the way.
{15:58} Building the UK Property Network.
{19:45} Cat’s experience of business awards and how it’s impacted her business.
{22:25} The MBN ‘Now What’ Podcast.
{24:30} Plans for the next couple of years.
{26:57} Implementing AI in a human way.
{33:28} Keeping drivers safe through appropriate working practices.
{35:09} The pressure on franchisees to develop their businesses.
{35:58} Cat’s big tip for franchising.
Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk
Connect with Cat: https://yourmanwithavan.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yourmanwithavan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourManWithAVan/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourmanwithavan
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yourmanwithavanfranchise
The MBN Pod Now What?: https://open.spotify.com/show/3XpfdItmk7oaIMauu3xZIx
