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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To start a business with three young children?

31 replies

Soitis83 · 12/07/2025 23:28

So, I have this idea.
I'm from a relatively small town (close to bigger towns) and I'm thinking of opening a woman's only gym with childcare on site. I've looked into the costs of everything and what I will need if I go ahead with it, so that side of things is covered. My only concern now is, is there really a huge market for it? Are women interested in this? I also have 3 young children so is it possible to start such a huge venture right now? Would this be something you wish you had in your town?
Any advice/crisism/knowledge/notes welcome!

OP posts:
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Afternoonbath · 25/11/2025 14:15

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Unexpectedlysinglemum · 13/07/2025 13:23

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 13/07/2025 13:20

If I were you, I would start this with things like buggy fit and baby yoga classes in your local parks or church hall, built up a big bank of families with email addresses first and then if that goes well then hire a premises.

See what is available locally - lots of gyms and leisure centres have a creche already.

What i would love to have is a fitness class eg barre that a toddler could come to and have toys set up in the corner for them- most only allow pre crawling babies. I'd go to a church hall or gym for this.

Maybe you could hire one babysitter to help with the kids while mums exercise but not have a separate space, as there are so many rules and regulations and ratios about having a creche that would be very expensive for you, but something to do later as the business expands

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 13/07/2025 13:21

simsbustinoutmimi · 13/07/2025 00:22

I have two answers to this. Actually one is of a question.

I would be interested if it was only women, yes. As in, Cis women. If not, and trans women are allowed, then no , I wouldn’t go. How do you plan on dealing with trans women who will no doubt kick up a fuss to the local press if you don’t let them in? Will you be able to deal with the potential negativity of not letting in trans women? In this day and age unfortunately a female only gym that is strict about women only is often privy to a lot of unwanted negative press.

Plus how do you prove a woman is female born? Do you just take their word for it?

My second point is only do it if you have proper support at home for your three children, or you can afford a nanny. Starting a business is hard and you might begin with working 15 hour days as you start up. Not to mention with possibly dealing with the negative press as above.

The prices have to be competitive too. With the quality of pure gym, and how it’s open 24 hours (pretty much empty the time I work out, and the cardio area very rarely has men in it at the late time I go time) and is so cheap, it would have to be something pretty special to tear me away from that, even if it offered childcare. That said I expect an independent business to cost a little more and not be open quite as much.

I also wouldn’t want to be locked into a contract.

Edited

Maybe only for mums. Eg jaegos house is for parents and children only.
Although you might get a trans dad.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 13/07/2025 13:20

If I were you, I would start this with things like buggy fit and baby yoga classes in your local parks or church hall, built up a big bank of families with email addresses first and then if that goes well then hire a premises.

See what is available locally - lots of gyms and leisure centres have a creche already.

What i would love to have is a fitness class eg barre that a toddler could come to and have toys set up in the corner for them- most only allow pre crawling babies. I'd go to a church hall or gym for this.

Original poster
Soitis83 · 13/07/2025 01:10

simsbustinoutmimi · 13/07/2025 01:07

It sounds good, I just wonder how you would know if someone was trans, with surgery etc a lot of men can convince as women. It would be really difficult.

Show quote history

That is tricky. Because part of the sign up process could require ID, but I know you can have your sex legally changed on your ID so that doesn't really help. I'll have to think about this one.

OP posts:
simsbustinoutmimi · 13/07/2025 01:07

Soitis83 · 13/07/2025 00:39

Good question. No, women only to me means women only. Not men who wish to be called female.
How would I deal with the backlash? Ignore it. If it got to the point it was negatively affecting my business? Address it. I would explain my reasons why but I'm not stupid, I see these activists won't stop until they ruin your livelihood because your views don't align with theirs. And if that happens, I'll have to just accept it. I won't change my views for money.

Support - yes I have incredible support. I currently work and have great help. I have the village so many woman need and deserve, it's actually what I've considering calling the gym.."the village gym".

We don't have a pure gym around us (for now), we have two big brand gyms and lots of little independent ones that seem to be very men focused.

I don't know, maybe I'm being too naive. Maybe my dream will only stay a dream. I just love the idea of it!

Edited
Show quote history

It sounds good, I just wonder how you would know if someone was trans, with surgery etc a lot of men can convince as women. It would be really difficult.

Original poster
Soitis83 · 13/07/2025 01:02

TulipLavender · 13/07/2025 00:59

What kind of business partners do you expect three young children will make?! Terrible idea.
Go it alone, sounds exciting.

😂😂😂
Good advice, my one year old will be devastated but I'm prepared to cut ties..

OP posts:
TulipLavender · 13/07/2025 00:59

What kind of business partners do you expect three young children will make?! Terrible idea.
Go it alone, sounds exciting.

Original poster
Soitis83 · 13/07/2025 00:46

TeachesOfPeaches · 13/07/2025 00:43

I’m a single parent OP and would love somewhere like this. The only place near me that’s similar is the David Iloyd

We have a David Lloyd about an hour away from us. So for those that don't drive, don't want to travel far or risk the dreaded baby car danger naps, closer to home would be ideal.

OP posts:
TeachesOfPeaches · 13/07/2025 00:43

I’m a single parent OP and would love somewhere like this. The only place near me that’s similar is the David Iloyd

Original poster
Soitis83 · 13/07/2025 00:42

Pickled21 · 13/07/2025 00:31

Starting a business with 3 kids will be even more work but of course you can succeed especially if you have a reliable support system in place. I did visit a ladies only gym as I was self conscious about my flabby bits wobbling but it was further away from my home. My dh reminded me that most people (men included)are focused on their own workouts and not all men are out to ogle so I shouldn't let that worry me. I now go to my local gym instead. I do tend to go at quieter times but that's just a preference. For me any gym with childcare would have worked well when mine were little.

Best of luck op.

Edited

Thank you. That's the thing that's needed most I think, the childcare. So many more women now are caring less about what men think and going to gyms regardless, but so many women can't because they have little ones and no support.

OP posts:
Original poster
Soitis83 · 13/07/2025 00:41

CatsMagic · 13/07/2025 00:26

It’s a brilliant idea OP

Do you have any experience managing a gym or will you be paying a manager ?

Not personally, but a very close family member does and would help me.

OP posts:
Original poster
Soitis83 · 13/07/2025 00:39

simsbustinoutmimi · 13/07/2025 00:22

I have two answers to this. Actually one is of a question.

I would be interested if it was only women, yes. As in, Cis women. If not, and trans women are allowed, then no , I wouldn’t go. How do you plan on dealing with trans women who will no doubt kick up a fuss to the local press if you don’t let them in? Will you be able to deal with the potential negativity of not letting in trans women? In this day and age unfortunately a female only gym that is strict about women only is often privy to a lot of unwanted negative press.

Plus how do you prove a woman is female born? Do you just take their word for it?

My second point is only do it if you have proper support at home for your three children, or you can afford a nanny. Starting a business is hard and you might begin with working 15 hour days as you start up. Not to mention with possibly dealing with the negative press as above.

The prices have to be competitive too. With the quality of pure gym, and how it’s open 24 hours (pretty much empty the time I work out, and the cardio area very rarely has men in it at the late time I go time) and is so cheap, it would have to be something pretty special to tear me away from that, even if it offered childcare. That said I expect an independent business to cost a little more and not be open quite as much.

I also wouldn’t want to be locked into a contract.

Edited

Good question. No, women only to me means women only. Not men who wish to be called female.
How would I deal with the backlash? Ignore it. If it got to the point it was negatively affecting my business? Address it. I would explain my reasons why but I'm not stupid, I see these activists won't stop until they ruin your livelihood because your views don't align with theirs. And if that happens, I'll have to just accept it. I won't change my views for money.

Support - yes I have incredible support. I currently work and have great help. I have the village so many woman need and deserve, it's actually what I've considering calling the gym.."the village gym".

We don't have a pure gym around us (for now), we have two big brand gyms and lots of little independent ones that seem to be very men focused.

I don't know, maybe I'm being too naive. Maybe my dream will only stay a dream. I just love the idea of it!

OP posts:
Original poster
Soitis83 · 13/07/2025 00:31

Doingtheboxerbeat · 13/07/2025 00:18

I read that as going into business with actual children as business partners 🫣.
I'll get my coat.

That's hilarious 😂😂

OP posts:
Pickled21 · 13/07/2025 00:31

Starting a business with 3 kids will be even more work but of course you can succeed especially if you have a reliable support system in place. I did visit a ladies only gym as I was self conscious about my flabby bits wobbling but it was further away from my home. My dh reminded me that most people (men included)are focused on their own workouts and not all men are out to ogle so I shouldn't let that worry me. I now go to my local gym instead. I do tend to go at quieter times but that's just a preference. For me any gym with childcare would have worked well when mine were little.

Best of luck op.

CatsMagic · 13/07/2025 00:26

It’s a brilliant idea OP

Do you have any experience managing a gym or will you be paying a manager ?

simsbustinoutmimi · 13/07/2025 00:25

Soitis83 · 12/07/2025 23:43

I do, he's fully supportive of this idea. But he would support me with whatever so it's hard to know if he genuinely thinks it's great or if he's just adorably applauding me along. I also have great support around me for childcare.

If he works FT as well, childcare is something you will have to consider especially in the early stages of your business

simsbustinoutmimi · 13/07/2025 00:22

I have two answers to this. Actually one is of a question.

I would be interested if it was only women, yes. As in, Cis women. If not, and trans women are allowed, then no , I wouldn’t go. How do you plan on dealing with trans women who will no doubt kick up a fuss to the local press if you don’t let them in? Will you be able to deal with the potential negativity of not letting in trans women? In this day and age unfortunately a female only gym that is strict about women only is often privy to a lot of unwanted negative press.

Plus how do you prove a woman is female born? Do you just take their word for it?

My second point is only do it if you have proper support at home for your three children, or you can afford a nanny. Starting a business is hard and you might begin with working 15 hour days as you start up. Not to mention with possibly dealing with the negative press as above.

The prices have to be competitive too. With the quality of pure gym, and how it’s open 24 hours (pretty much empty the time I work out, and the cardio area very rarely has men in it at the late time I go time) and is so cheap, it would have to be something pretty special to tear me away from that, even if it offered childcare. That said I expect an independent business to cost a little more and not be open quite as much.

I also wouldn’t want to be locked into a contract.

Doingtheboxerbeat · 13/07/2025 00:18

I read that as going into business with actual children as business partners 🫣.
I'll get my coat.

Dotdotdotx · 13/07/2025 00:14

Do it 👏

Original poster
Soitis83 · 13/07/2025 00:04

givingitupok · 12/07/2025 23:55

www.itsleisureltd.co.uk/our-impact?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLfxy1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABp_SVzyeG9aPI0gz8hrEynk8-eGM_qlsYQz8HVASdsN6wPmvkmvxuzPTK76F0_aem_nPa7M5q9iASXZIgEyw7yuQ

Show quote history

Thank you! 28 years and going strong, good for them!

OP posts:
Original poster
Soitis83 · 12/07/2025 23:47

givingitupok · 12/07/2025 23:45

We have a gym near us with a women's only gym as part of it and childcare on site. Not sure how well used it is but it has been going a long time now so must be doing ok!

Interesting! Obviously you don't have to tell me the exact location but can you give me a rough idea where it's based?

OP posts:
Original poster
Soitis83 · 12/07/2025 23:46

It's definitely an option, not one I've thought of though. It mainly came to me as I was looking for a gym myself that had childcare and realised there are none close to me. So I would be prepared to make it set times for men but I feel like men in this town have their set gyms already. There's quite a few small gyms that aren't advertised as men only, but I certainly don't know a single woman who steps foot in one.

OP posts:
givingitupok · 12/07/2025 23:45

We have a gym near us with a women's only gym as part of it and childcare on site. Not sure how well used it is but it has been going a long time now so must be doing ok!

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