Featured Franchises

From Opera to Monkey Music - finding your niche in franchising

Name: Val Stephenson

Location: Newbury, Hungerford and Henley

Family: Husband and three children age 15, 13 and 10.

What is your career background?
I originally trained as a physiotherapist after leaving school but all during this time I was heavily involved in singing through numerous Opera companies, Theatre groups and all my spare time I was involved in music. After working for two years at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary I decided I wanted to further my singing in a more serious way and was accepted at the Royal College of Music in London where I studied for three years on an advanced Study Course in singing. During my time there I was lucky enough to be involved in the Earls Court production of the Opera Carmen which toured to Japan – what an experience this was!! After leaving college where I was awarded an Exhibition Scholarship I worked for almost three years in France with Opera de Lyon and toured with them to many exciting locations as well as being involved in numerous recordings and radio broadcasts with the Ambrosian Opera Chorus. I also play the piano but my first love has always been singing – I sang everywhere according to my Mum!!!

How did you first hear about Monkey Music and the franchise Opportunities?

Monkey Music really found me! An acquaintance who taught Monkey Music and knew I was a singer asked if I would be interested in covering maternity leave for another teacher. The owner of the Franchise at the time got in touch and it took off from there. The moment I started getting involved I knew I had found something really special. By now I had three children so obviously my singing career had quietened down as I brought them up and with a husband who is also a singer and away quite a lot I had been looking for something where I could use my singing experience, my love of children and that fitted around a very busy family life. Monkey Music does all this and more. It is a fantastic job and incredibly rewarding. So much so that when the Franchise came up for sale I had no hesitation in purchasing it!

How often do you work?

At the moment I work three and a half days a week and the other one and a half is spent in my office on administration and on preparation time for my classes, learning any new songs, making props, speaking to my other teacher, ordering new instruments, merchandise etc… I am going to be employing an additional teacher in the next few months to take over some of my teaching. This will free up some time for me to hopefully open a new venue. There are busy periods of the year namely at the end of a term and the beginning of the next when it sometimes feels a bit manic but it all quietens down once everyone is booked in to their classes. I like to keep very much on top of the administration side and this can sometimes mean working in the evening or at weekends when it is busy but now that my children are a bit older this is never a problem. I do try to have one day a week when I don’t do any Monkey Music. (Not always easy).

How does the job fit around your family life?

I do enjoy the fact that it is term time only - when my kids are on holiday, I am too, and can give them my full attention. The best thing is that it is your franchise and therefore you decide what is right for you. Not a bad job!! I think another thing is that the class times will not suit everyone. What is right for one customer will not be right for another so you have to be strong and make decisions that are right for you.

Do you get support/training?

The training days we have are absolutely invaluable. I pick up so many tips and there are so many ideas that float around. It is amazing how many different ways the same song can be presented! When I first took over the franchise I had a mentor to help me and we spoke many times in those early days. She came to visit me at my home/office and was always there if I needed her. I can call HQ at any time to ask for help (sometimes difficult to find the time when you are running the business and teaching as well). I had a visit only recently from Angie which I found extremely useful and she was very positive which was greatly encouraging.

How do you source Venues to run your classes in?

Most of the venues were already up and running when I took over so my main objective was to increase the numbers and the classes that were there already which I have done. Now I feel that I am ready to tackle a new venue as I mentioned before and I will be visiting the village and exploring the area on a sunny day in the half term with my kids (with an ice cream to follow!!!!) At present I run classes in church halls, community centres, village halls and a health centre.

How many classes do you run?

I run 31 classes and another 5 split between two nursery schools.

How much do you earn (roughly)?

My turnover for the last financial year was just over £54,000

Do you advertise?

I advertise in a number of local newspapers and magazines and I advertise in the local NCT publications as well as doing lots of other promotional activities throughout the year.

What is the best thing about Monkey Music?

To see my little Monkeys develop and grow in confidence not only in their musical ability but socially too is absolutely inspiring. To watch them suddenly be able to play an instrument for themselves, to see their faces when Monkey pops out the box week after week, to see a smile when their favourite prop appears, to witness that first clap. The list is endless. For me, to feel that Monkey Music may shape their lives in the future and to know that you have been a part of that is a privilege. I am also fortunate to have some fantastic Mums (and Dads) who love it just as much as they do. It is a happy job and for me personally fulfils me as a performer.

Are there any downsides to the job?

At busy times of the year, as mentioned before, it is difficult to cope with all the administration and organising you own teaching as well. I get very annoyed when people assume that they can come back without sending in their form – this makes an already busy time even busier. It doesn’t matter how often you put the deadline date on the form there are always people who forget. This makes it difficult to go through waiting lists and put people in but I have learnt that I can’t always wait and tend to fill the spaces earlier now than when I first started. Illness is often difficult and demands many phone calls to cancel but on the whole most clients are sympathetic – we are only human. I also get frustrated when clients book a trial session and then don’t turn up without any explanation. Often this makes more demands on your time for follow up calls to find out what happened.

Would you recommend this Franchise opportunity to other Mums?

I would have no hesitation – it is inspiring, rewarding, fun and every day is different!

It is a busy job and sometimes I feel like it is taking over but remember that it is your business and you are in charge to make it work for you.

16-12-09

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Featured Franchises

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From Opera to Monkey Music - finding your niche in franchising

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