The Scallymag

Produce a profitable local parents magazine

About Us

Are you a mum frustrated trying to find out local information? Do you know where all your local toddler groups are and when they run? What about swimming or dancing lessons? What about dates for local family events over the summer or where to find Santa at Christmas? Would you like all this information delivered directly to you, regularly and free of charge? Why dont YOU be the one to provide this vital service to families in your area while earning money at the same time?

The Scallymag brand is owned by Catalyze Enterprises Ltd and, through careful design and development, has firmly established itself as a well-respected, trusted, successful, local parenting magazine around West Yorkshire and East Lancashire.

The first Scallymag was created in 2003 and is still going strong. The brand is now franchised, so The Scallymag can be available in your local community too. The magazine is good quality, full colour, clear and informative and, with its focused and guaranteed distribution network, has become the chosen advertising platform for family-orientated businesses and public service providers.

As a pre-school Music and Movement Group, I always use the Scallymag to advertise my classes. I wish that I had the magazine in all my areas! It is completely focused on my target audience, and my customers cannot wait to receive it, eagerly flicking through and reading the articles; so I know firsthand that it is not viewed as yet another one of those advertising booklets that drop through the door. It is therefore an excellent use of my meager advertising budget. The excellent mix of articles paid advertising and free advertising for the local toddler groups make it the 'bible' to all mums. I know when the new 'Scally' has been distributed as my phone starts ringing! Jo Corbett Jo Jingles Franchisee

I started advertising in the Scallymag right from the very first issue in 2003 and will continue to use this magazine for my advertising. It is distributed to just the right people I need and continues to be a great place for me to advertise my dance school. I am very happy with the amount of enquiries and new business I get from it. Thanks Scallymag x Sarah OSullivan Sarah Hitchon School of Dance

As a Scallymag Franchisee you will be responsible for creating a Scallymag for your local community at least three times per year, using our proven successful methods and techniques.

About You

The ideal Franchisee is a mum who has recently stopped work to raise a family. She cares about her community and has a personal need for a stimulating, rewarding, flexible part-time, yet profitable career.

You do not have to be a writer, sales expert, designer or have previous business management experience, but you will have to be bright, literate, organized, enthusiastic and driven to succeed.

Current Editions are all based around West Yorkshire and East Lancashire.

Financial Information

The overall cost of the Franchise is £2,000, payable in two installments. This is excellent value for money and will probably be your only major financial outlay whilst setting up your business. With the right commitment, once up, running and established, each magazine should realise a net profit of £2,000 per issue, maybe more. Further income can be generated by selling your skills to other Franchisees (by selling your features or your design skill), becoming a Mentor, or even taking on another area to create another magazine!

Training & Support

As a Scallymag Franchisee you are self-employed but never alone. The initial fee covers:

Comprehensive, expertly written manuals full of clear instructions, tips and ideas to guide you through every aspect of setting up your business and solving most problems you may encounter. All tried, tested and proven to work.
Time with a business mentor; an experienced Scallymag Franchiseemand expert in Sales, Design or Writing, whichever you think would be more beneficial.
All your personal branded stationery
An array of marketing tools
All the business paperwork and templates you require
Access to our selection of features and other magazine content so you will never be stuck for magazine content.
Access to our private, franchisee-only, internet area where questions can be asked, answered and general support given from other members of the team.
Access to our team of designers, in place and ready to work with you to get your magazine to press if you are not confident about taking on that side of the business on your own.
We also have printers, all tried and tested for quality and service by existing Franchisees.
The invaluable back-up and support of the rest of the team.

Be part of a successful business team that DOES make a difference!

Melanie: When I had my baby my whole perspective on life changed. I had been living for my job, but now I would die for my baby and things started to look very different.

I wanted to be the best mother I could be; at home to care for my baby, paint pictures, read stories, go to the park and laugh all day. I also needed to be fulfilled as the career woman I had been. Also staying at home all day, not earning, wasnt an option. I wanted to have it all! Thats when I saw an advert to become a franchisee of The Scallymag. As a journalist I was eager to write articles about things I knew nappies, playgroups, childrens health etc. but, to be honest, the other part of The Scallymag job selling advertising - scared me silly.

However, the work-life balance The Scallymag could offer me was too appealing to turn down.I would be my own boss, write about what I wanted to, fit my work around childcare and do something that inspired me. Id just have to learn how to sell!

Four years on, I havent looked back. Selling hasnt been the nightmare I expected it to be. The vast majority of business owners are friendly and genuinely interested in the magazine, especially how it could help them attract new customers. Ive built up a trusted and loyal client base, and made many new friends in the local community too.

Im happy and proud to be a Scallymag franchisee.