buying a small franchise

[crystaltips98]

Hi all, Now I have a LO in tow I am thinking about signing up to a well known franchise that does baby signing classes. TT. I have experience in leading community groups of adults and think it would be a wonderful way to work in my local area and meet other mums whilst earning a living. One of the franchise selling points is being able to bring your baby/toddler with you as it is about running a baby group. I'm intrigued as I dont have any local childcare/relatives and am thinking this could be a viable business (post lockdown). The work to me sounds fun and exciting and I know I have lots of the skills needed from past jobs. I'm just wondering if anyone out there has experience of franchises like this and what their thoughts are. particulalry is it realistic to bring your own child? can you make a parttime living wage from it? and are there any downsides? Tia

I've not owned one but I've worked in one and am not changing my company to offer franchises as well. My experience running children's classes was that a LOT fewer people rebooked when I had my child with me, because my attention was torn. As a baby I had to interupt the class they'd paid for to do nappy changes or feedings, as a toddler she just didn't want to know sometimes so I was trying to get her to participate, or at least not run off while also trying to teach, and as it got to before primary she finally started to just do the activity, but she still needed one on one support at times in the class, which meant I couldn't be as aware of other children. I was still doing the job when I had my second but he used to go to nursery for a half day the days I taught classes and I had a lot more repeat customers so it was false economy to take him with me.

That's my worry. People paying good money for me to be taking time out to keep my own child happy/in check/clean etc. Even though it's fun baby classes I still want to remain professional. Thanks for your insight @Ohnoducks