As a new year begins, conversations around purpose, autonomy and balance are shaping career decisions across industries.
Here, Lisa Stead, CEO of Stagecoach Performing Arts, discusses how franchising is increasingly being viewed as a route to a more intentional working life, and shares considerations for those rethinking their next move.
Start with the life you want, not the job you think you should have
Many people begin their career search by scanning job titles, without first considering what they actually want their days to look like. Slower mornings, time with family, creative fulfilment or simply a calmer pace of life often sit beneath the surface of these decisions.
Many Stagecoach franchisees reach clarity only after taking a step back. One realises they want working hours that fit around school life. Another recognises how much they miss being part of a community. Once those priorities are clear, the right opportunities tend to follow more naturally.
Be clear about what flexibility really means to you
Flexibility is often talked about as a universal benefit, but in practice it looks different for everyone. For some, it means building work around family life. For others, it’s about shaping their own culture, or having space for passions outside of work.
At Stagecoach, franchisees often talk about finding a rhythm that genuinely suits them. Whether it’s a business that comes to life in the afternoons and weekends, or the structure offered by term-time schedules, understanding your personal version of flexibility helps you avoid settling for roles that only appear flexible on paper.
Seek independence with support, not isolation
Wanting control over your working life is natural. Wanting to do everything alone is far less appealing once reality sets in. Independence feels empowering when you know guidance is there if you need it. Without support, it can quickly become overwhelming.
This is where franchising appeals to many people. It offers autonomy alongside proven systems, training and a network of people who’ve already walked the path. Independence backed by support makes stepping into something new far more achievable.
Pay attention to what gives you energy
Sustainable work is rarely about avoiding effort; it’s about finding energy in what you do. Work that drains you continuously is difficult to maintain, while work that feels meaningful often creates its own momentum.
Within Stagecoach schools, those energising moments are easy to spot – a child performing for the first time, a teenager gaining confidence, students supporting one another. Whatever franchise model you explore, look for work that gives back emotionally, not just financially.
See a career pivot as growth, not a reset
Changing direction is often framed as “starting again”, but modern careers rarely follow straight lines. Skills like communication, empathy, leadership and resilience don’t disappear when you change industries – they become assets.
Stagecoach franchisees come from a wide range of professional backgrounds, from healthcare to finance to hospitality. What unites them isn’t their previous job title, but the experience and human skills they bring with them. A pivot is rarely a step backwards; it’s a chance to apply strengths in a setting that fits better.
Build your next chapter with people around you
One of the most overlooked benefits of franchising is community. You’re not an employee, but you’re not alone either. Strong networks provide guidance, reassurance and shared learning, particularly in the early stages of business ownership.
Whether you choose Stagecoach or another franchise, look for a culture where collaboration and encouragement are built in. A supportive community turns uncertainty into confidence and makes change feel far less daunting.
A new definition of work
As the future of work continues to evolve, one message is becoming increasingly clear: people are reshaping work to fit their lives, rather than the other way around. Purpose, autonomy and connection are no longer optional extras – they’re expectations.
Franchising is one route that allows people to build a career aligned with these values. But the principle applies far more broadly: choose work that supports the life you want to build, not the one you feel stuck in.
