Name:          Location: Eastwood
Franchise Area: Rayleigh, Essex

 is still in full time employment as the Strollercise franchise model means, while she grows her classes (and her income) she can organise her class hours around her current work schedule, she adds that: “Franchising allowed me the freedom to set up my own classes at times to suit my full-time role and this definitely appealed to me.”

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So why did she choose Strollercise over other franchises that are available?  liked the fact that it is a one-off payment FOR LIFE, there is no 5 or 10 year fixed term of the franchise and no renewal fee that many others have.  She also liked the fact that people can come to classes on their own, not having to rely on finding a partner each time.

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With some of her well earned savings in hand,  took the plunge and held her first class as a franchise owner on 15-Apr-19. Of her franchisor she says that: “Sam has been supportive with advertising and marketing, giving hints and tips and general guidance on how to put the word out there to attract class members.  The equipment is all provided and is of excellent quality, you do not need anything else to pump your music out!  You even get 700 tracks to get you started, which are all organised into separate files for you to get the hang of it.”

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We all know that starting up on your own, even with the support of your franchisor can be scary, so what challenges has  found along the way? “The main challenge has been finding venues in the right location which are available at a time that will suit everybody. Once you realise that this is very much a ‘trial and error’ exercise you can then focus on the classes. As I still work full-time this has been particularly challenging because a lot of my class members, particularly as we approach the winter months, tend to prefer daytime classes. I have changed some of the classes around trying different times and locations and even have classes on a Saturday morning which seem to be very popular.”

 

What ‘highs’ has  experienced in her new business? “There are so many!” says . “The best bits are definitely seeing people enjoying themselves, learning the strolls, sometimes struggling with some and then, after a little while, seeing the penny drop and the excitement they get from being able to do it.  Plus there’s the friendships that people make in the classes; both in the classes and outside maybe meeting up for coffee afterwards.  I have also developed great relationship with all the strollers in my classes; they are all so supportive and keen to help me get more people in the door, which is fabulous.