Posted:13-January-2021
Yogabugs- Off to a Flying Start with Franchising
Based in Solihull, Husband and wife team Mark and Vicki Goode have got off to a flying start with their first joint venture. Together they have recently purchased a YogaBugs Ltd Franchise with their business partner Charlotte Aston.
Incorporated on 1 April 2008, the company almost immediately secured bookings from 19 schools and nurseries in the area enabling 570 children to enjoy YogaBugs classes each week. In July they have confirmed a further 14 primary schools, 3 secondary schools, 1 Children’s Centre and a Special Centre bringing over 800 classes to kick off the September ’08 term. Many of these classes are funded by the Extended Schools programme as they can support educational initiatives such as the Early Years Foundation Stages themes and principles.
Vicki says: “The business is certainly not suffering from the credit crunch. In fact we are thriving because we’ve chosen to focus in the education sector which has funding available by the Extended Schools programmes. Classes can support educational initiatives such as the Early Years Foundation Stages themes and principles.
“Government funding is being made available through the education sector which is working closely with YogaBugs due to the recent Active IQ accreditation. This means that both courses (YogaBugs 2 ½ - 7 year olds and Yoga’d Up for 8-12’s) have been recognised by QCA on the National Qualifications Framework as a Level 2 Teaching Physical Activity to Children. This has helped its full acceptance within the education sector and demand for our classes has grown significantly from both nurseries, children’s centres and schools.”
The trio got together after deciding they wanted to invest in a business opportunity that wasn’t all about making money but more about laying healthier foundations for the next generation. They had found one common objective and that was to invest in a franchise that would put something back into the local community. “I certainly found that in the recruitment industry it was extremely satisfying getting someone a job but finding a business that improves children’s lives makes the reward twice as good,” says Mark.
Having researched franchise opportunities online they found YogaBugs Ltd exhibiting at the Franchise Expo and were captivated by the concept immediately. Two meetings down the line and having attended the launch of YogaBugs founder Fenella Lindsell’s first book, ‘YogaBugs: The One Bug Your Kids Should Catch’ sealed their intention to buy and the rest as they say, is history!
“We saw what Jamie Oliver did on food,” says Mark “and we wanted to become YogaBugs of the Midlands and that is why we are working tirelessly to create links with the local education departments in the area, pitching the YogaBugs concept with the eventual aim of inviting head teachers from across the region to experience a taste of the classes.
This YogaBugs franchise has an added advantage in that it fits with national government objectives to reduce child obesity and increase physical activity provided within the national curriculum. Funding can be made available to schools to pay for classes through their local Schools Sports Partnerships. And with all state schools and nurseries being asked to make provision for after-school care, the classes can fill a valuable chunk of that time and form part of the Extended Schools Programme.
Mark is a successful entrepreneur in his own right and provides valuable business acumen and sales experience to the company. Vicki works part-time as an air-stewardess and has excellent administrative, organisational and people skills. As well as being a qualified personal trainer and adult yoga teacher, Charlotte has a valuable knowledge of the health and fitness industry and she is now a trained YogaBugs instructor herself. As a black belt kick boxer she hopes not to get any trouble with the four year olds!
YogaBugs Birmingham has an annual gross turnover objective of just under £200,000. Based on monthly revenues that increase in realistic increments, the first quarter from April to end of June 2008 yielded a turnover of £66,000. And they are already over target for the next quarter.
Mark says: “We sold 50% of the first month’s target in our first week of trading. This was down to careful strategic planning and a robust marketing campaign which we had pre-planned and instigated as soon as the franchise papers were signed.
“We were literally out of the door and selling the concept before the ink had dried. It’s a strategy that has paid off and continues to set us in good stead for meeting if not exceeding the first quarter revenue targets. The support received from YogaBugs HQ has proved to be highly beneficial and we have worked very closely to write the best marketing material possible.”
Lara Goodbody, YogaBugs Limited MD says: “We knew Mark, Vicki and Charlotte were a winning combination from the start and that we were right to award them the Birmingham franchise.
“Their motivation to build happier and healthier lives for children through a worthy business enterprise was infectious and entirely fitted with our company culture. That enthusiasm combined with a good cross section of business sense, people skills and knowledge of the industry as well as being parents that are inspired to create a better life for children, puts them on the right track to succeed from the start.”
Franchise Fee:
The YogaBugs Limited franchise was launched in September 2007. To-date the company has sold 27 territories with the aim or reaching a minimum of 40 by the end of 2008.
At a cost of £9,900 plus VAT, the company offers a Business Format Franchise for sole rights to a territory in which to operate the franchise, use of the YogaBugs trademark, logo and business systems. There is a full training programme and opening support on how to make your business a success. The company has also included bespoke software that integrates a state of the art CRM, financial software and intranet facility to minimise admin and maximise your business development time.
Prospective franchisees do not necessarily need yoga experience but they do need to be very energetic and driven, using excellent communication and people management techniques to incorporate the skills and local knowledge of existing YogaBugs and Yoga’d Up teachers, whilst recruiting and building their own team of teachers to drive the business forward.
YogaBugs is an imaginative, dynamic and inspired way of bringing the benefits of yoga to children aged 2½ -7 years old, with Yoga’d Up catering for children aged 8-12 years. Traditional yoga postures, breathing and relaxation techniques are taught in 30-60 minute classes. Younger children are taught through exciting story adventures that capture their imagination whilst enabling them to enjoy the beneficial practice of yoga. Many yoga postures have very child-friendly names such as, Dog, Surfer and Crab which are creatively woven into fantastic adventures into the jungle, space or underwater palaces so that the children are motivated and inspired to join in whilst benefiting from yoga. Yoga’d Up combines fun themed classes with music, partner work and important information about the benefits of yoga for health, sport and relaxation.
YogaBugs Ltd has trained 1250 teachers across the UK and 40,000 children each week now enjoy classes held in schools and nurseries throughout the UK, or through other Government-led initiatives to get children more active and reduce the rising levels of obesity.
