Job title: Franchisee, Jo Jingles, Hertford
Name of organisation: Jo Jingles Ltd
Location: East Herts franchise, covering Hertford, Ware and Welwyn
Duties
My business is to run music and movement sessions for pre-school age children in local venues every week. Sessions last for 45 minutes and include action songs, dancing and movement and musical instrument playing, all to a weekly theme.
My job involves finding suitable local venues to run classes in and advertising them locally. I plan all the classes a half-term in advance and choose the songs, activities and props we are going to use according to the week's theme. I produce a music CD with the songs recorded in order.
I consult with my three class teachers on a regular basis through meetings or visiting their classes. I prepare a termly customer newsletter informing members of the weekly class themes, term dates, special events such as Children in Need fundraising or the Christmas party. I also prepare and manage all other paperwork and information packs for new customers.
I do a lot of preparation and paperwork for the three- to five-year classes, as these involve music theory modules and homework colouring sheets.
As well as running the business I take some of the classes myself each week. This involves setting up equipment in a local hall, meeting and greeting the children and then presenting a 45-minute musical programme in a fun and entertaining way, ensuring all children feel involved and enjoy themselves.
Start date
I started classes in September 2003, three months after buying the franchise.
Likes/dislikes
I love running the classes, meeting the children every week and seeing them develop and grow in confidence. Hearing funny stories about what they have done at home, sometimes pretending to be me and taking a Jo Jingles class for all their toys and dollies makes it all worthwhile.
I love the exercise and the adrenaline you get from presenting classes or doing children's parties.
I love having class teachers to work with - people to bounce ideas off and relieve the pressure and also allowing the business to grow by having a good team in place.
However, I do dislike having to manage staff sickness and class cover as this invariably involves lots of juggling of childcare.
Best achievement I am very proud of how far I have grown the business during the last three years. Jo Jingles was virtually unknown in East Hertfordshire and we now have 20 classes running weekly.
As a business we support the BBC Children In Need Appeal every year and I was particularly proud to organise a sponsored Jinglethon last year.
I also won the Jo Jingles company award for New Franchisee of the Year in 2004.
Training
My franchisor provided a week's intensive training before setting up my business and also provides at least two additional training days every year. It also provides plenty of training material and tips, and has systems in place for ensuring the new ideas keep coming.
Career path
I previously worked for Marks and Spencer for 15 years. I started my career with them as a trainee manager in stores and moved to various parts of the country during this time. I worked as assistant manager in the flagship Oxford Street store in London and it was there that I met my husband. Not wanting to move around the country any more, I retrained to become a buyer and I spent the next ten years buying different product areas across the Marks and Spencer clothing business.
After having my first child I wanted to work closer to home and for myself.
Jo Jingles provided the right opportunity at the right time in my life.
Career progression
I have a business progression plan looking at where I see my business in five years' time. This addresses areas such as numbers of children, new locations I might want to open up in, new opportunities and financial planning.
Advice
I believe to run a Jo Jingles franchise business you need to be physically fit and able, a natural entertainer who enjoys working with children and someone who constantly enjoys talking and interacting with people. Time management is crucial, for being able to juggle lots of balls at the same time (own family requirements versus business).
A business background is certainly helpful. Fortunately the administrative side of the business is not difficult and does not take up a disproportionate amount of time.
Interest/ hobbies
I am an active person and enjoy playing netball, and I also swim and do Pilates each week. As a family we love to swim, go to the park and out on our bikes when we can. I play the piano and flute and sometimes get the chance to brush up on my skills again when the children are out!
Further information:
* www.jojingles.co.uk
