When Candice Parent started her business just over two years ago, she never envisioned winning a national award for the best franchise.
The Windsor woman owns a Molly Maid franchise and has grown the business from four employees and two part-time routes to 17 workers and five full-time routes. The franchise has 200 regular clients and books 50 one-off clients a month.
Still, other franchise owners have been around much longer, so she was pleasantly surprised when Molly Maid's corporate office called her last year and asked if it could nominate her for an award from the Canadian Franchise Association.
"I was actually for the first time in my life speechless," Parent recalled. "I've only had the franchise for two full years. I've started my third year. Being a new franchisee -- I was stunned. I was proud of our team. Our team worked so hard."
Her surprise and excitement grew in March when she became a finalist.
The awards were handed out on April 8 in Montreal at the association's annual convention.
Parent is gratified the award, in the non-traditional category, didn't just recognize her business chops but also her work in the community.
"I love an award that looks at more than, 'Oh look! Your business is growing,'" said Parent. "I've been involved in Tampon Tuesday, Say Yes to the Dress. We also do a book drive every year."
Outside of Molly Maid, Parent is also the co-chair of Women United with the United Way, donates cleaning services for transitional housing, and is active in the Walkerville Business Improvement Association.
Parent's business is one of 1,300 non-traditional franchises, or businesses that provide service in the clients' homes, recognized by the association in Canada.
She said it was a team effort. She couldn't wait to get home to Windsor to share it with her employees.
"It's put some more energy into our business," Parent said. "We can't wait to celebrate. We have a dinner coming up, and we're so excited to toast such a wonderful accomplishment in such a short time."