Music groups for Babies and Toddlers

What is the business? Music groups for babies and toddlers based on child development.

Investment required: £6,000 + VAT for a 5 year licence. There is also 12.5% royalty to be paid termly on income.

Earning Potential: This depends on how many classes you wish to run and if the franchisee wants to run them or employ staff to do so. A number of our established franchisees are earning about £5,000 profit a term.

Is there training/support for franchisees? Initial training is supplied within the start up costs. Ongoing support is continuous. We are always contactable by phone or email and will visit franchisees when necessary. We hold an annual franchise meeting when all the franchisees can get together.

Best suited to: Mothers with children who want a job to fit around their family.

For more information: Contact Karen Sherr. Telephone: 020 8868 0001. Email: enquiries@musicalminis.co.uk or visit the Musical Minis website: www.musicalminis.co.uk

Name: Cathie

Location: Liverpool

Family: 1 husband and twin daughters age 8 (they were 3 when I took the franchise)

How often do you work?
This term I will be leading eight sessions a week spread over five days. Each one is 45 mins long plus an average journey time of 20 mins and set up and pack away time estimated at about 10 mins. I also do approx 4 hours a week of admin including banking, preparation of wages, answering phone calls and paperwork. The admin varies with busy times and quieter times.

How does the job fit around your family life?
I am able to take my daughters to school and pick them up and I am usually off in the school holidays. Now that they are a bit older I have taken on some work in the holidays just to keep the money coming in but I get to choose which hours I am prepared to do.

How much roughly did the franchise cost you?
The cost was £5K to start up five years ago then approx £4.5K recently to renew the licence for a further five years.

What did that investment buy?
All the equipment needed to start up, training to ensure I was able to run the sessions and the business and the licence to operate for five years in my area.

Do you get support/training?
I received training initially in order to run the session correctly and also on the admin side of things. Support is on-going and the people at head office are always willing to help with any issues that arise. They are open and friendly and seem to have a genuine interest in our well-being as well as that of the business.

Are there on-going costs?
We are under contract to pay Musical Minis 12.5% of income collected. We also incur overheads such as hire of rooms, staff costs and advertising etc.

How much do you earn?
As well as the sessions that I run I have staff that lead sessions for me so the business usually generates enough for me to take out about £900 per month.

Do you advertise?
I mainly use Families magazine but occasionally use local papers or freebie magazines if they approach me. I get quite a lot of enquiries on-line.

What is the best thing about Musical Minis for you?
The best thing for me is that it is fun. I am a much happier person since I have been doing Minis. The people I work with are brilliant and have become good friends. The hours are great and I have time to work, time to be with the children and time to run around sorting out family stuff

Are there any downsides to the job?
Sometimes you have to go and do a class when you aren't too well - you can't ring in sick when there is a room full of people waiting for you. The telephone going can be a pain but I have a dedicated line that I ignore if I don't want to pick it up.

Would you recommend this franchise opportunity to other Mums?
Yes, without hesitation, it's ideal for people who would like to build a business of their own with the back-up of experienced people. You already have a tried and tested formula and brand, you get to meet some lovely families and have fun with them!