Music and Entertainment

What is the business? Running interactive singing and music classes for children aged from 6 months to preschool and their parents/carers. We use music and lively songs as a tool during class to encourage lots of fun activities such as counting, knee bouncing, puppet play, action songs and instrument bashing!

Classes can easily be run just during the school term and within school hours making this an ideal business to run if you have school aged children.

Investment required: £7,000 initial franchise fee (plus VAT), with an additional £500 required in year 1 for advertising and marketing.

This initial fee covers the franchise licence, exclusive territory, initial training and ongoing support and a massive start up kit of everything the franchisee will need such as instruments, puppets, props, pre-recorded CD’s session plans, business stationary, uniform and promotional materials.

Earning Potential: If a franchisee worked just during the school term (37 weeks) running 16 classes per week, they could potentially achieve an income of £30,000 per year.

The size of the territory that is assigned to each franchisee is very generous with the potential to run many more classes if you choose. This can easily be done by employing Class Leaders to help you expand your business.

Further income opportunities will also shortly be available through merchandising and Music Bugs birthday parties.

Is there training/support for franchisees? Yes, lots! Franchisees must attend a 4-day training workshop in Wiltshire prior to launching. The workshop will cover all aspects of running the classes and managing the business. After the workshop you will be ready and raring to go!

Ongoing telephone and email support is then constantly available from Head Office for the duration of the franchise.

Best suited to: This is an ideal business opportunity for women looking for a career change or for mums who would like to run a business that can be fitted in around existing family commitments. Franchisees can choose to run the business part or full time as preferred.

No musical or educational skills are needed, however you must be able to relate to very young children and enjoy working in a creative musical environment. You will also need a pleasant singing voice, and a warm, outgoing and friendly personality.

For more information: Claire Bennett, Managing Director on 0844 578 1010. or visit our website www.musicbugs.co.uk

Name: Nicky

Location: Swindon in Wiltshire. My territory also extends into parts of Oxfordshire and South Gloucestershire.

Family: I am married with a 3-year-old daughter.

How often do you work?
I currently run 8 weekly classes myself over 4 mornings but have a fantastic team of Class Leaders who run a further 9 weekly sessions for me. I am currently recruiting more Class Leaders as we have lots of demand within the territory and I would like to expand the business further.

How does the job fit around your family life?
My daughter attends preschool part-time so I am able to schedule most of my sessions around her preschool hours. I am also very fortunate to have a wonderfully supportive family living locally who can also help with childcare.

How much roughly did the franchise cost you?
I paid £5,000 for the initial franchise fee.

What did that investment buy?
A massive selection of puppets, props and instruments. Also storage tubs, first aid kit, CD player, polo shirts, t-shirts, business stationary (letterheads and compliments slips etc) plus a large supply of A5 flyers and A4 posters for marketing & advertising. All of my sessions have been planned and pre-recorded for me and we get an accompanying songbook with lots of ideas and activities.

Do you get support/training?
I have received some on the job training as I live in the same area as my franchisor plus a 3-day training workshop at the beginning (I have never eaten so many sweets in my life!) I can also contact my franchisor at any time for further support.

Are there on-going costs?
I pay a fixed management fee for each class that I run which works out at approx. 11.4% of my class income.

In five years time I will be able to renew my franchise licence and the franchisor will charge an administrative fee of £500.00 for that.

On the upside, I am allowed to keep any income that I make through the sale of merchandise in class and the provision of Music Bugs birthday parties. My franchisor doesn't take any form of fee or commission for this.

Do you advertise?
Yes, constantly! Much of the business is generated through word of mouth but I do need to pay to advertise in local magazines and directories. I also have a good supply of posters and flyers that were given to me by the franchisor and I make good use of these.

What is the best thing about Music Bugs for you?
The satisfaction of being able to run my own business is immense and something that I am very proud of. I would like to extend my family one-day and know that I have a business that can easily be fitted in around family commitments. Not many people are able to say that!

The classes are lots of fun for both my Class Leaders and myself and we get a lot of positive feedback from local parents and children.

Are there any downsides to the job?
Door to door leafleting can be a bit of a drag but is necessary from time to time. The phone also rings at all hours of the day and night and you need to be quite firm and make sure you can switch off from the business at times.

Would you recommend this franchise opportunity to other Mums?
Yes, without hesitation. I looked into this opportunity very carefully before proceeding and approached a solicitor from the British Franchise Association plus a Chartered Accountant and the franchising department of one of the high street banks. Everyone was very supportive and impressed with the business and financial projections, which gave me the confidence to proceed. I would say that family support is crucial though especially at the beginning when you first start as you will have to work quite hard to get your business launched.