Posted:30-July-2026
Women in Franchising: Ellie's Journey from Customer to Multi-Territory Franchise Owner
Discovering the Brand as a Customer
For Ellie Cawdell the journey with Puddle Ducks began in 2011, not as a business owner, but as a parent.
After the birth of her first child, Ellie joined Puddle Ducks’ classes and quickly became a loyal customer commenting: “We absolutely loved the brand. We loved the lessons and the experience we had as a family.”
What started as weekly swimming lessons soon became something bigger.
When her second child arrived, Ellie found herself thinking differently about work, family life, and what the future could look like. Rather than returning to traditional employment, she explored new opportunities, and one stood out.
Taking the Leap into Franchising
In 2013, Ellie made the decision to buy a Puddle Ducks franchise and relocate to York to launch the business. At the time, the goal was simple, with Ellie commenting: “I had two small children and the plan was that it was going to be a part-time role to allow me to be at home with the children and give me flexibility”.
Like many people considering franchising, she wanted a business that could fit around family life while creating financial independence, but the opportunity became far more than expected.
Building Something Bigger
What began as a flexible, part-time business steadily grew, demand increased and the customer base expanded.
Over time, Ellie’s business evolved from a solo operation into a full-time leadership role. Today, Ellie operates across multiple territories including: Puddle Ducks York, Hull and East Yorkshire, Puddle Ducks Cambridge, Puddle Ducks Edinburgh and Puddle Ducks Glasgow.
What started with one person has grown into a team of 35 who now teach approximately 1,200 children every week, as Ellie’s franchising journey continues to go from strength to strength.
A former winner of Puddle Ducks’ Franchisee of the Year award, Ellie is a great example to the network of what it takes to be a successful franchisee.
CEO of Puddle Ducks Jo Stone commented: “Stories like this are exactly why we believe so strongly in franchising. What began as one parent looking for greater flexibility around family life has grown into a thriving multi-territory business supporting thousands of families and employing a team of 35 people.
At Puddle Ducks, we’re passionate about helping franchisees build businesses that work for their ambitions and lifestyle. Seeing someone start with a single territory and grow into a full-time business owner with such incredible impact is a testament to what can be achieved with the right support, a trusted brand, and the drive to succeed.
We’re incredibly proud to have been part of this journey and excited to continue supporting franchisees who want to create something meaningful for their families and communities.”
Considering a Franchise Opportunity?
You don’t need previous experience in the industry to build a successful business, you need the right support, a proven model, and the ambition to grow.
Interested and want to know more about Puddle Ducks ?
The Puddle Ducks profile outlines all aspects of their franchise opportunity and allows you to contact them for further information or to ask a question.
