What’s Your Background?

I have two young children and have always loved attending baby and toddler classes with them. Countless times, I’d sat there in classes thinking, ‘I’d love to do this.’ I very nearly took the step after I had my first child, but COVID-19 forced my hand with that decision. 

Fast forward three years later, I had given birth to my second child and life had massively changed for our family. I was Head of Humanities in a secondary school for 14 years and, while I loved my job, it really didn’t work for our family anymore. I wanted a change, so I revisited the idea of running my own baby and toddler classes.

After some research, I decided that franchising would be the best option due to the support provided with running your own business. I had been attending Rhythm Time classes with my little ones and when I found out that the owner was selling her business, I knew it was a fantastic opportunity. I got in touch with her, completed thorough due diligence, got my finances in order, and took the scary but exciting step to hand in my notice at school. I started running my classes in September, and I can honestly say I am truly happy with my decision.

Why Did You Want To Leave Teaching?

My daughter was about to start school, and I had just returned to teaching after my second maternity leave. I felt it was crucial to have flexibility in my working hours to spend quality time with both of my little ones while they were still small.

Purchasing the franchise would allow me to gain the time and flexibility I desired while also enabling me to use the skills I’d developed in my 14 years as a teacher.

It was the first time I felt truly excited about something, and I could see how it could work with our family life. I carefully weighed the pros and cons and decided this was the right path for us.

Why Did You Pick A Franchise?

I chose to run a franchise because it gave me the perfect balance of structure and independence. 

With Rhythm Time, I have the support and proven framework of a well-established brand, which makes running my own business less overwhelming. 

I love working with children and seeing the joy that music brings them, and Rhythm Time’s philosophy aligns perfectly with my passion for early childhood development. 

Being part of a franchise lets me focus on the creative and interactive parts of teaching music without starting from scratch. Plus, I get the flexibility to manage my own schedule and make the business my own while having the backing of a reputable brand.

What Does Your Week Look Like?

My week is filled with organising and running multi-sensory music classes for children. I start by planning and prepping for each class, ensuring I have all materials ready, from instruments to props. 

I travel to different venues, across my area, to set up and lead the sessions. I also employ a teacher so I talk to her each week about the sessions and support her with any training/advice she might need.

I handle administrative tasks, such as scheduling, bookings, bookkeeping, marketing, and managing customer inquiries. Throughout the week, I engage with families, promoting the benefits of early music education and building relationships within the community.

I run all of my sessions in the morning, allowing me time in the afternoon to complete any additional tasks I need to complete. But the way I organise my time is totally up to me, which is a real bonus of running your own business.

What Did You Wish You Knew Before Starting A Franchise?

Before owning a franchise, I didn’t fully realise just how much time and energy goes into the business side, and it’s been such a valuable part of my growth journey.

I came into this focused on the excitement of teaching and connecting with families, and now I appreciate the importance of balancing that with the administrative work—like booking classes, managing customer inquiries, handling finances, and keeping my marketing on point. 

Growing my business is really important to me, but I also want to maintain a good work-life balance to stay connected to the reasons I made this career change in the first place.

What Support Did Your Franchise Give You?

My franchise has been an incredible source of support throughout my journey. They provided a structured framework that helped me understand the core aspects of running a business—from marketing and branding to operational processes. 

The training programs were invaluable, equipping me with the knowledge and confidence to get started. I also received ongoing support from a dedicated team that’s always available to offer guidance on everything from customer service to marketing. 

In my first year, I had a mentor who I could turn to for extra support and guidance. The franchise network itself has been a fantastic resource, connecting me with other franchisees to share ideas, experiences, and best practices. Overall, the support has been instrumental in helping me grow my business.

What Skills Did You Use From Teaching?

In running my franchise, I’ve relied heavily on skills from my teaching background. 

Communication has been key in connecting with families, while strong organisation helps me manage my time efficiently. As a Head of Department, I spent a lot of time analysing data e.g. tracking student progress. This now helps me understand customer needs, spot trends in bookings and engagement online. It’s also helped me to make informed business decisions from a financial perspective to enable me to develop and grow the business effectively.

I would also say that adaptability, patience, and empathy really help me with leading my sessions, getting to know my little ones and their families and helps me to create a warm, supportive environment. 

Being a Head of Department has helped me with supporting my Class Leaders at Rhythm Time and I have used my skills as a middle leader to train, encourage and support my team to deliver high-quality sessions.

What Are Your Top 3 Tips For A Teacher Looking For A Franchise?

If you’re looking to purchase a franchise, my first piece of advice is to choose a company that aligns with your interests and values. You will be investing time, money, and yourself into your business, so it’s crucial to choose something that excites you and that you are passionate about.

Do your research; find out everything you can about the business and speak to current franchisees to get a real-life perspective of running your own franchise. 

Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as needed to be fully informed about the financial, legal, and practical commitments involved in purchasing and running the business. Once you find the right fit, don’t be afraid to take the next step. I am so glad that I did.