Special Feature business and do something I enjoy.
What’s your favourite part? I really love running the clubs and interacting with the children – I really do feel like I make a difference! It’s a bonus to get great feedback from parents and schools.
How was the initial training? It was a lot to take on board at first, but the training is ongoing. I didn’t realise how much there’d be to learn.
Spaghetti Maths April Hatcher
April began trading in Nottingham in January 2016. She comes from a dance and performance background and has done lots of youth work.
Why did you decide to become a Spaghetti Maths franchisee? I wanted a really flexible business and I’ve got experience working with children. It was a great opportunity to have my own
How much support do you get from head office? It’s great – I’ve even phoned them in the evenings! There’s been a few times when I’ve come across things I’m not sure about, so it’s great to have someone to talk it through with.
What has been the biggest challenge? The biggest challenge has been getting in to schools in the first place. It’s not something I’d done before so it’s been a steep learning curve, and the support has been invaluable for this.
What are the advantages of working mainly in the school term time? Spaghetti Maths is such a flexible business, and I’ve just ran some brilliant summer holiday clubs, which means I can develop the business in that way if I want to.
How do you see your business growing in the future?
I’m starting to build up some great relationships with schools, and I even had a school contact me last week after they’d heard great things from another school. They say word of mouth is the best way to go! I’m aiming to grow slowly and steadily.
What advice would you give someone considering a Spaghetti Maths franchise?
Speak to them! They’re really open about the pros and cons, and there wasn’t any hard sell.
How have you found trading so far? What benefits are there to working in this industry?
It was a fairly steady start, but things are really picking up now. Like any business, people buy from people and it’s taken a while to start making contacts and getting a reputation.
Would you recommend franchising to others?
As I said, working with the children is my favourite part and it’s brilliant being with groups of enthusiastic kids. It’s given me a proven business, and all I have to do is run it.
Describe a typical day. I’m not sure there is a typical day. Generally, it involves keeping in touch with schools, managing others, running the clubs, and, of course, delivering the assemblies and classes!
What training and support did you receive?
The training you receive initially with head office is very supportive and informative, from running a business, through to marketing and the technical programme. I know that any question, no matter how trivial, I can just turn to one of the team at head office and they will help.
Tumble Tots
Carla Hamilton
Previously, Carla worked in a sales office in the manufacturing industry looking after a team of eight in internal sales. She now runs a Tumble Tots franchise in the Bolton and Bury area.
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BusinessFranchise.com | October 2016
What challenges have you faced? Where do I start? The challenges have been huge but extremely rewarding. At first I wanted to do everything, but quickly realised that to grow a business it takes time and to do things one step at a time. Starting a business from scratch is definitely not for everyone and be prepared to go on an emotional rollercoster. There is a lot to do in the first year whilst juggling family life as well, which meant rather a few late nights sat in front of the computer.
Has becoming a franchisee changed your life? If so, how?
Tumble Tots has definitely changed my life and for the better. All the hard work that I have put in so far has been extremely rewarding and I have had many teary occasions when a child has overcome an obstacle or a baby has started walking etc. People love what we do and see the benefits in the programme whilst having fun. It is the first time that I have got up to get ready for work and never had the feeling of not wanted to go. The people and children you meet are lovely and for some it’s the highlight of their week.
What are your plans for the franchise in the future? Our plans are to grow and develop the business. In year one we opened three centres with 12 classes and in year two we are opening two more centres with 19 classes. The key aspects I will be focusing on are staff training, developing the team as a whole and get them involved in more aspects of the classes, and developing the children.
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