We're 21!

Mum-of-three Karen Sherr is the founder of Musical Minis.  She tells us about its 21st anniversary celebrations.
Last month was another action-packed month at Musical Minis as it saw the launch of our 21st anniversary celebrations.
For prospective franchisees, we are offering to pay the VAT on all franchise sales.  From now until 31st August we will pay the VAT on the cost of the franchise, saving any new franchisee a considerable sum of money.  In celebration of our 21st birthday, we are currently also finalising an action-packed Autumn term for all the children in our classes - watch out for updates.
In addition to our 21st celebrations, my time at head office has been spent analysing all the franchisees' income and expenditure for the spring term and giving them individual feedback on ways they can increase their profit.  At Musical Minis, we provide our franchisees with ongoing support, and a large part of this is to support them with business acumen.  In a separate exercise all franchisee costs were studied to provide them with average prices throughout the UK so they have a benchmark to go on.
Another administrative job I do once a term has started is to collect individual attendee names from franchisees and analyse the membership per franchise and per class.  This provides franchisees with termly details on how their classes are doing, then support and advice can be given if any concerns are highlighted.  This term, the number of children has remained similar to the previous term;  however, the amount of contract work sessions franchisees are running in children's centres and nursery schools has increased.
Part of our role in supporting each franchisee and communicating with them regularly, is that we do like to have face to face meetings periodically.  Jacquie Sedman, the North West regional manager, went to visit Katherine Munro (Teesside and South Durham franchisee) and Debbie Caygill (Newcastle franchisee).  Jacquie thoroughly enjoyed her visits - it's always lovely to see classes in action with all the children benefiting from the programme.  Jacquie also offered the franchisees an in-depth profile on how their businesses were progressing and suggested tips to help their franchises.  Musical Minis franchises are very flexible because we want them to fit in around the franchisee's life and family - so there are no targets set.  We want each franchisee to achieve what they want to and advice is given on this once their individual goals are ascertained.
As well as Jacquie's visits in the North West region, I met with Amanda Perkins (Buckingham franchisee), and Lisa Cicco and Jane Wakelam (Bedford franchisees).  We have also spent time meeting prospective franchisees.
In May, Leena Thakker, our Oxford franchisee, was featured in an article in the Daily Mail on affordable franchises.  There was great photo of Leena and her girls.  I'm really delighted that Leena has had such a great year and is enjoying being a Musical Minis franchisee so much.

www.musicalminis.co.uk