About the business: 'We offer music and dance classes for pre-school children. The business has been running for four years and now has 14 franchisees throughout the UK.'
What is your business aim?
'Our aim is to have 50 active franchisees by the end of 2011.'
Education/skill level required and is training provided?
'No specific education or skill level is required other than basic computer literacy. Four days of pre-launch training is provided to all new franchisees followed by a one day examination. Thereafter, three half days of additional training are provided per year and the highlight of the year is the Annual MAD Academy Conference.'
Is any other support given?
'It is very important to us that new franchisees get off to a good start so we put a lot of effort into helping them with their initial business planning. We also provide all necessary templates such as draft letters, marketing materials, etc, as well as all the artwork and text required for their local marketing.'
What premises will a new franchise operator require?
'They don’t need any permanent premises as all classes are held in local halls which are pre-booked by the franchisees.'
Costs involved: 'The initial cost for the franchise is £6000 to £6500 for a standard franchise area. These costs include the franchise fee, cost of the initial marketing campaign, class materials, licences, insurance and training, basically, all that is needed to start a business.'
What does your franchise offer that others do not?
'MAD Academy offers classes where music and dance are carefully integrated to form equal parts of the curriculum. We pride ourselves in the level of on-going support and commitment we give to our growing team of franchisees.'
What sort of person do you think makes the perfect holder of one of your franchises?
'A mum who has the confidence and energy to run her own business and who gets satisfaction from seeing young children develop a passion for music and dance.'
Name: Emma Lelliott, mum of two young children
Location: Maidenhead
'Being released from the nine to five day and able to fit work around my family rather fitting my family around work is the biggest benefit and becoming my own boss while still being part of a supportive team is great. Getting real job satisfaction and a sense of pride from providing fun and education to lots of children and their mums is very satisfying – I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to find a new work/life balance.'
For more information telephone 0118 926 1384 or visit madacademy.com
About the business: 'A licensee is a self-employed individual who uses the La Jolie Ronde methodology to teach either French and/or Spanish to primary and nursery children. The business this year celebrates 25 years and we have approximately 365 franchises.'
What is your business aim?
'We plan to expand the La Jolie Ronde brand internationally, into English speaking countries and then elsewhere by offering our proven structured programmes and resources in English.'
Education/skill level required and is training provided?
'Anyone who can speak French and/or Spanish. Comprehensive training in the La Jolie Ronde methodology together with a Marketing Pack including step by step guide to marketing your business, sample letters, leaflets and promotional material.
Attending exisiting licensee classes and ongoing one to one advice and support.'
Is any other support given?
'Yes, your Area Co-ordinator ‘mentors’ you throughout the whole process. Quality Assurance visit in the first term to help with practical concerns. Annual training meetings with other licensees.'
What premises will a new franchise operator require?
'Independent venues such as a village hall or in a school or nursery'
Costs involved:
'Very low investment, just £600 plus VAT, plus £150 refundable bond.'
Potential earnings: 'The demand for children’s language lessons is very high, therefore the earning potential is there. A licensee with 100 pupils could expect to earn around £9,000 gross per year, after expenses, for only four and a half teaching hours per week.'
What does your franchise offer that others do not?
What sort of person do you think makes the perfect holder of one of your franchises?
'A French and/or Spanish speaker with a love of languages. Anyone who is eager to start their own business, work the hours they wish and wants the flexibility of working around their family.'
Name: Suzanne, mum of two children (four and seven)
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire
‘I would highly recommend La Jolie Ronde to anyone who speaks French and/or Spanish. I am genuinely my own boss and usually work only three days a week which is at lunchtimes and after school during term time…this fits perfectly around family life. I actually teach my own daughter and organised her class so that she is in an after-school session and therefore do not have to arrange childcare. I also only teach in term-time so am always available to look after my children during school holidays. The earnings are also great for the short amount of time I work per week, I would never be able to earn as much as I do if I were employed part-time.’
For further information visit lajolieronde.co.uk
