Category: Franchisee/Franchiser

Running a Pink Spaghetti Franchisee

Tell us your name and a bit about your family? When did you become a Mum and to whom?
My name is Laura and I am married to Ricky, a head chef, and we have 2 children – Gracie is 4 and started big school in Sept, and Poppy is 19 months and at nursery. We live in Ashford (Surrey not Kent) in a 3 bed semi. We are both born and bred in West London but moved to Ashford 10 years ago. It’s a lovely place to live and has a close focus on family life which we love.

What’s your business called?
Pink Spaghetti

Can you describe it in one sentence?
We are the 25th hr in your day. A pick up, put down PA service as and when you need, helping busy people with their home and business needs.

When did you become a Mumpreneur and what inspired you?
I started Pink Spaghetti in Sept 2016 so it’s relatively new.

I was feeding my youngest in Chessington World of Adventures and looking through a parenting forum. It was about 6 months from my return to work and I was having that wobble….”I can’t possibly go back to work, my babies need me at home!”. I saw a post on a forum from another Mother with the same dilemma and someone had mentioned Pink Spaghetti Virtual PA’s. I didn’t even know what a VPA was so I looked Pink Spaghetti up and loved what they did. I had been a working Mum, the pull between work and home is intense sometimes and there’s a real frustration around not being able to do it all! I loved the solution they offered – an extra pair of hands to give you that 25th hour in the day. It was such a simple idea, but for small businesses who don’t have the finance or the inclination to hire a full or part-time member of staff, paying for someone by the hour as and when it’s needed, is a great solution!

I started to think about whether I could be the VPA offering that help to small businesses. I worked in Market Research and had been with the same company for 9 years, and in the industry for 15 years. I was ready for a change and needed one too – with school hours looming as my eldest was due to start school in September, I needed a job where I could get in after the school drop off, and leave early to collect her. Where in the world would I find a job with that much flexibility?!

I couldn’t put the Pink Spaghetti idea down. It would be a huge change – was I ready? Did I want to give up my career? Joining the team meant buying into a franchise, did I want to own my own business? Could I afford the initial outlay? I’m not a risk taker, and walking away from my career felt risky. But my gut said it was the right move – for me, for family life. I am that person that has a to-do list on the go 24/7. I love to organise people. I enjoy creating processes and procedures for new ways of doings things. My filing system at home means I can lay my hands on paperwork from 5 years ago at the click of my husband’s fingers. I had the right transferrable skills. I couldn’t think of a reason not to do it!

How did you fund your start up?
Savings! I am boring and sensible and always make sure I’m putting something into savings each month so I took it from there and told myself it would be an investment.

How do you manage working around your children?
My youngest is at nursery and so I have childcare for her Mon-Thurs. My eldest is at school so she’s there 5 days a week. I work after dropping them off and stop once I do the school run. I often log back in, in the evening – it’s a compromise that means I get to be the one at the school gates dropping off and picking up, I was adamant I wanted to do that!

Can you describe a typical day, what tasks do you have to get done, how do you manage your time?
I don’t have a typical day – every day is so different and that’s what I love. Some days are spent building my business, so I might be networking and meeting new people, or planning my marketing for the next month. Other days are purely client work so it’s head down and crack on – I might be working on someone’s social media accounts, doing some research for them, basic bookkeeping, decluttering their office space, writing a newsletter for them, building a client database etc.

I’m very structured with my time, I time box so I decide before I get started what needs doing that day and how much time I’m going to dedicate to each task. The internet is such a useful tool but it’s like a blackhole so I time myself when I’m on it!

I LOVE being a VPA, the feedback I get from clients is motivating – when I’m told they couldn’t have managed ‘that’ crunch without me, they hate book-keeping and are grateful I took it on, they love their new Facebook and Twitter pages that I’ve re-branded, they wouldn’t have had time to do that research that I did on their behalf, they couldn’t have re-organised their home office the way I did. That feedback coupled with being at home when the girls are in from school and nursery, is priceless.

What challenges have you faced in your business and how have you overcome them?
Getting started has been tough at times and starting from scratch with no clients is frightening, but you have to be patient and put in lots of hard work upfront – lots of getting myself out there, constantly pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and lots of networking and 121’s with other local business owners.

What’s the best thing about being Mumpreneur?
Total freedom with my time, while making something of myself. I didn’t want to choose between being a Mum and working, and now I don’t. I am there for the children when they’re not in nursery and school, but when they are, I am a business owner who makes life easier for other businesses – it’s incredibly rewarding and I feel like I get to have my cake and eat it.

What are your plans for the future?
To grow steadily, have a constant and reliable source of work, to make a real difference to my clients, and eventually to hire staff and expand – the sky’s the limit!

What advice would you give for someone just starting out in business?
Make sure it’s the right decision – do your sums and think about it from every angle. Talk to people, get advice and know exactly what you’re signing up to – you don’t want any nasty surprises. If you do jump in with both feet, hold on tight, be bold and enjoy the ride!

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
Pink Spaghetti was the right choice for me because they have been, and continue to be, incredibly supportive. I owe my fabulous start to the franchisors, Caroline & Vicky.

Pink spaghetti franchisers

Creating a Franchise: Pink Spaghetti PA Services

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Becoming franchisers is something that many small businesses consider as a method for growth, Caroline and Vicky from Pink Spaghetti PA Services have done just that.

Tell us your name and a bit about your family? When did you become a Mum and to whom?
Caroline Gowing, 44, Mum to Charlotte, 12 and Imogen, 9, wife to Pete
Vicky Matthews, 44, Mum to Holly, 12 and Tom, 7, wife to Chris.
We both live in Cheshire

What’s your business called?
Pink Spaghetti PA Services

Can you describe it in one sentence?
We offer small business owners the elusive 25th hour in the day for their business and domestic tasks.

When did you become a Mumpreneur and what inspired you?
We started Pink Spaghetti in 2009. We were inspired by the need for flexibility in our working life, where children and long hours simply did not mix.

How did you fund your start up?
We funded our start up from savings, and budgeted very wisely!

How do you manage working around your children?
Our business is based on flexible working. Our phone systems allow us to only answer a call if we are free from screaming or giggling children, we use technology so we can work from play bars or a home office, our work can be done mainly in the hours we choose, so during school hours, or very early/late during the holidays. We are at every school run, assembly and sports day and we are proud of that.

Can you describe a typical day, what tasks do you have to get done, how do you manage your time?
Every day is a varied one! For customers we may be doing book keeping, writing social media posts or researching a holiday. To build the business we will be doing marketing, lots of networking and social media. As we run a franchise we also have lots of contact with our franchisees, training and supporting. Every day is varied, without a doubt!

What challenges have you faced in your business and how have you overcome them?
Growth has been a challenge for us, trying to balance bringing on staff but only when we are sure. We are both risk averse, so we use a lot of talking, reporting and planning to make sure this is done at the correct time, supporting the growth but making sure we will still get paid after the staff do!

What’s the best thing about being Mumpreneur?
Flexibility! All our franchisees have this flexibility too. Every hour you work is for yourself not for someone else – that is so valuable. Neither of us would ever go back to corporate life.

What are your plans for the future?
We are building our franchise offering steadily. We currently have 24 franchise areas across the UK, and we aim to grow that next year – we have another three going live in January 2017.

What advice would you give for someone just starting out in business?
Go for it! Take advice, don’t plan too much but deal with everything as it comes in, and be prepared to take your business in a direction you don’t expect, if customers want something slightly different to what you thought they would want.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
We have this year won Working Mums Most Supportive Franchisor award, and the Smith & Henderson best new entry award to franchising. In 2014 we won the EWIF (encouraging women into franchising) award for best new franchise, sponsored by McDonalds. We have been finalists in many more awards.

www.pink-spaghetti.co.uk
www.facebook.com/pinkspaghetti
www.twitter.com/pink_spaghetti

Lucy is a MAD ACADEMY FRANCHISEE

Franchisee Story: MAD Academy

Tell us your name and a bit about your family? When did you become a Mum and to whom?
Lucy Curtis, I have 2 children, a daughter who is 12, a son who is 9 and 2 step sons 9 & 7 years.
I have been married to Dan (who works in the charity sector) for 2 years and we live in Surrey. We met doing one of our pastimes, amateur theatre.

What’s your business called?
I own the MAD Academy – Camberley franchisee

Can you describe it in one sentence?
Music and movement for pre school school children

When did you become a franchisee and what inspired you?
February 2014, I wanted a career change and with my divorce settlement, I decided to try something that inspired me. I have a background in music, dance and theatre and so it was an obvious choice!

How did you fund your start up?
I loaned myself 6 months of capital and then gradually paid myself a small wage as the business took off.

How do you manage working around your children?
My teaching hours are generally during school hours, but my admin is before and after school and some weekends. My children understand that to have a Mum who can work around them is a compromise. They accompany me during school holidays and help me with parties. Its a family concern and everyone has to make allowances. That said they would like me to sell the business so I’m not so tired!

Can you describe a typical day, what tasks do you have to get done, how do you manage your time?
School run, admin and preparing class plans for each class (they are all bespoke so I have to ensure they are relevant for each session as I teach a broad spectrum of abilities). Out teaching classes, generally x2 per morning. Lunch and maybe catching up on emails and then another session in the afternoon. Straight to the school run (learning lines whist waiting for the bell to ring) and then home. Normally more admin or prep, cook dinner and then on the sofa for around 7.30pm, although this will vary dependant on the workload. Tuck the children in bed around 8pm and then have dinner,

What challenges have you faced as a franchisee and how have you overcome them?
Building up form scratch – being as flexible as possible and patent. Understanding that its not personal and if someone doesn’t want to rebook then its probably circumstances not me!
Lack of finances initially – being patient and mindful of costs
Loneliness – working for myself on my own all day is lonely. There is no office banter or someone to chat to other than clients – trying to chat with family members or colleagues where I can.

What are your plans for the future?
To continue at the same level. I could potentially take on agents but I am mindful that this will actually raise the workload as I would nee to manage them and their workload.

What advice would you give for someone just starting out in business?
Be patient and don’t take things too personally. Be as flexible as you can and go the extra mile for people. they won’t always appreciate it but many will!

www.madacademy.com
MAD Academy – Camberley

Think franchising might be for you, check out our Mums in Business Course, or find out more about franchising.

Tally toes toddler dance classes

Running Baby & Toddler Dance Classes – Tappy Toes with Emma

If you love dance then running baby and toddler dance classes might be a great business option for you, check out Emma’s story of doing just that.

 

What’s your business called?

Tappy Toes

Can you describe it in one sentence?

A unique and captivating baby and toddler dance classes, for babies and toddlers and their parents/carers.

When did you start it and what inspired you?

I started training in January 2015 and started running classes in April 2015.
I used to be a Primary school teacher which I loved. I worked in two Outstanding Primary schools with children from aged 5 to 11. After having my two girls I really wanted to work part time during school hours so that I could still spend some time with them. A friend of mine was starting Tappy Toes and she suggested that I look into it as she knew I loved teaching and enjoyed sport. Once I researched Tappy Toes I knew it was the one for me! I loved the syllabus and was confident with the teaching. I also thought the challenge of running my own franchise would be a great opportunity.

 

How did you fund your starting up your toddler dance classes?

I had to borrow money to buy the franchise and the equipment I needed.

 

How do you manage working around your children?

My Mum has been a great help looking after my youngest daughter one day a week. She also goes to nursery for 3 half days a week. My eldest has just started school so Tappy Toes classes fit perfectly into the school day. I manage to do my accounts and admin work in the evenings and I do my planning for the week at the weekend. As my children get older I will have more time in the week to run more classes and do my planning during the week. Tappy Toes is fantastic for me, not only because I love the teaching but I can choose my class times and make it work for me and my family.

 

Can you describe a typical day?

My Mondays are always ‘go, go, go!’ I start by getting myself ready, making breakfast for my family (and packed lunches for those who need them) and then I wake the girls and get them ready. After breakfast we pile into the car and take my eldest daughter to school. On return, I tidy up while my youngest plays (or tries to help!) and then I get my Tappy Toes bags ready. My Mum arrives to look after Emily and I go off to run my first two classes. I then have an hour for lunch where I grab some shopping from a supermarket or take my neighbours dog for a walk. My afternoon class starts at 1.30pm and then I am back home at 2.45pm. After a quick change and a goodbye to Granny, we go and pick up Daisy from school and take her straight to gymnastics. We arrive home by 5.30pm, the girls have tea and a bit of down time. They are usually in bed at 7pm and I eat with my husband when he comes home from work.

Wednesdays are very different as both girls are at school/nursery. I then run Tappy Toes at two different nurseries which I really enjoy. The classes are much larger but the nursery teachers join in too and I love being part of the school family again. I have a little time to play with Emily when I pick her up before the afternoon school run.

 

What have you found hardest?

The hardest thing at the beginning was finding the time to advertise the new classes and respond to every call, email and message. I have learnt to manage my time better and as my girls get older, this is getting easier.

 

What’s the best thing about Running toddler dance classes?

I love being part of the Tappy Toes team but also being able to make my own decisions on when and where I run classes so that I can give my best to them. I am pretty self motivated and have high standards which I think is important if you are self employed.

 

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to open more classes in other areas so that even more little ones can enjoy Tappy Toes! Also to do more parties as the few I have done so far have been fantastic fun.
What advice would you give for someone just starting out?
Make sure you have at least a whole term for training, planning, preparing and advertising before you actually start your classes. I did this and it was a huge help.

 

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

The best thing about Tappy Toes really is the difference I make to the children and their parents. I see so many happy faces, children having fun, little ones gaining confidence and parents proud as punch as they watch on.

www.tappytoes.com
@tappytoesltd
Facebook
emmastappytoes@hotmail.com

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