Scottish Spotlight!

If there’s one thing to know about the Little Learners team it’s that we LOVE a good natter! ;) We relish any opportunity we get to showcase our amazing franchisees and the hard work they exhibit day to day. This is why we were so excited to hear that the BFA was creating a segment for their website highlighting Scottish franchisees in order to promote business growth in the area!

The British Franchise Association recently conducted interviews with Scottish franchisees within a multitude of businesses, old and new. We were ecstatic when asked if we could round up all of our franchisees from the area to take part in the interview themselves!

A few of our wonderful franchisees situated in Scotland were interviewed by the BFA and shared some amazing insight into their journey as a franchisee and why they think more people should consider it! They were able to speak frankly about why exactly they chose to join the Little Learners business as well as a few top tips they have for those thinking about starting their own business!

As well as raising awareness to franchising in Scotland the BFA have noted an influential incline when it comes to women in business in general. They reported a 20% jump in the number of female franchisees since 2015, with 37% of all new franchisees in the last three years being women. As time progresses, we see more and more tailored business opportunities for women (especially those struggling to find work due to family life). This acts as a catalyst for gradually breaking down the stereotype that women are secondary earners for their households. Regardless of personal circumstance, EVERY woman should have accessibility to career opportunities that can tailor around them. Now more than ever there are an abundance of career ventures that are completely flexible, Little Learners being one of them!

We are so so proud of our girls for taking part in this interview! Not only does it act as a great informer for inquisitive readers, it is such a great morale booster for all of our franchisees, We love hearing their experiences and how they’ve noted their own personal growth through working with us!

READ ALL ABOUT EACH INTERVIEW AS WELL AS THE BFA’S CONTRIBUTION TO FRANCHISING IN SCOTLAND BELOW!

Scottish Spotlight – British Franchise Association (thebfa.org)

Alicja Turner:

1. How did you find franchising?

I have been the owner of my franchise for just shy of two years. My experience has been affected by the Covid pandemic, which meant I had to adapt the business even before I managed to run it the way it was originally designed. I must say the support of the Franchisor and other franchisees has been (and continues to be) second to none. I have learned so much and I have grown as a person and a business owner. I love working for myself and fitting the business around my young family. It is stressful at times and I am aware that at the moment, while the baby is still very young, I am not able to do as much as I would have wanted but being my own boss helps with this pressure. I know that I am doing as much as I can and when the baby gets bigger I will be able to do more. This flexibility is what I love about franchising.

2. Why did you choose your brand?

Little Learners has an educational element to it and it has been created by an experienced Primary teacher. Working with the franchisor who understands my background was important to me as she knows the dedication and hard work, which is at the core of the teaching profession. She is also a mother, which means she understands the limitations of childcare and the importance of flexibility for the working mums.  

3. How has running a franchise changed your life?

It has allowed me to be the mum I have always wanted to be! I am there to drop my older son to school and to pick him up after. I am there to take him swimming and watch how he progresses in that area. I am there to eat dinner at the table with both of my children and on some days with my husband as well. I am there to see my baby grow and learn new skills. I am there for the extra cuddles in the mornings as we can leave the house at 8:45am rather than at 7:30am. Etc. etc. etc.

4. What top tips would you give to someone considering a franchise opportunity?

• Go for it!
• You still have to put in the hours but you get rewarded by the effort you put in.
• Make sure you have financial security for the first 2-3 months of running a franchise (you could include that in your loan application) before you start bringing money in.
• Always ask your franchisor and fellow franchisees if you are unsure about whatever aspect of running the franchise.

5. What does the future hold for you and your franchise?

As my children get older and will not need my attention 24/7 I am hoping to expand the business, employ a few class leaders and cover all my franchise’s area with classes.

6. How has franchising helped your local community?

Parents who come to my classes and see the value in messy play seem to be very grateful for having this opportunity in the local area. Being able to bring their children to an organised messy play class means all the planning, preparation and tidying up is done for them and they feel better they do not need to do it at home.

7. What is your biggest achievement to date as a franchisee?

Surviving the world pandemic by pivoting my business and being able to run it around my family. I have also become more confident and am starting to think like a business owner, all thanks to the fantastic support and invaluable training/leadership from the franchisor.

Susan Brown:

1. How did you find franchising?

To be honest I found the brand first having taken my two boys to a Messy Play in the Park event and from there I enquired about how the person running it had got started. This is when I found out it was a franchise.

2. Why did you choose your brand?

The message and overall aim that the brand was looking to achieve really resonated with me. Being a relatively new parent, I was looking for things that would improve the development of my children and Little Learners brand made sense to me.

3. How has running a franchise changed your life?

My head space is no longer my own. I am constantly thinking about how I can make things better, cheaper, more fun and I suppose ultimately how I can earn more money whilst having a great work life balance with my boys.

4. What top tips would you give to someone considering a franchise opportunity?

Are you passionate about what you’re trying to do/sell? If you don’t believe in the brand and what you are going to be promoting, then don’t do it as it is not just something you can dabble in. You need to think about the long game.

5. What does the future hold for you and your franchise?

Its early days for me but the plan is to expand until I can’t do it all myself. Then take on help to establish a robust, talked about set of classes with a great reputation that parents want their children to be a part of.

6. How has franchising helped your local community?

It has brought preschool classes into an area which was lacking in these facilities. It has also put money back into venues which were struggling a little due to a lack of exposure.

7. What is your biggest achievement to date as a franchisee?

Getting it started! Signing the paperwork on the same day as moving into a new property with two young children and holding a sell-out event with 3 sessions in the day to launch the franchise 3 weeks later was good going.

Linda Jain:

1. How did you find franchising?

I had no plans for anything like this when I took early retirement in May 2021 after 36 years as an Early Education officer working in a nursery with pre school children. Then one day just after retiring I saw an advert on Facebook about a webinair for Little Learners and I signed up and right away.  I just new it was for me.

2. Why did you choose your brand?

I love working with children and their families its a rewarding privileged feeling to be able to be part of their lives and make life long memories for them.

3. How has running a franchise changed your life?

My life has changed as now I am doing what I am doing and its for me. I like being my own boss and doing things the way I want rather than being told for years in the nursery. The regime was too regimented.

4. What top tips would you give to someone considering a franchise opportunity?

I would tell someone who wanted to go for a franchise to just go for it and follow your vision.

5. What does the future hold for you and your franchise?

Times are challenging just now, money is tight for lots of people and lots of people have to go to work, I have lots of grandparents who come to class and a mixture of mums and dads sharing it. Lots of classes haven’t been running and are starting back and parents who have not had anything to take their children to since they were born are now trying out different things, so they maybe do a term then try something else then come back. As I am just a new franchise it means that I am still building up a base of customers.

6. What is your biggest achievement to date?

My biggest achievement to date was running 2 successful sold out Halloween events and receiving lots of positive feedback and new customers for weekly classes and my festive events.