Case Study 1 : CAROL BELL
Case Study 2 : JENNIFER MELLOR
CAROL BELL
Franchise Area: Caterham,Godstone, Merstham, Oxted, Redhill & Reigate
 Five years ago I was looking for something to do to get me back to full-time work having had two children and several years of part time work in playgroups, first as a helper then as a supervisor.
I had previously worked in child psychiatric research at the Institute of Psychiatry in London and as an Education Welfare officer in Southwark, so had always been interested in working with children.
A chance sight of an advert in a magazine whilst at playgroup sparked an interest that I followed up by meeting Gill Thomas, Managing Director of Jo Jingles Limited. Her enthusiasm and the excitement I felt at not only what Jo Jingles was all about, music, fun, movement and children but starting my own business proved too tempting and in August 1997 I signed up as the thirteenth franchisee.
The work was meant to be three or four days a week but developed rapidly over the next couple of years such that I now teach four days a week myself with two other teachers doing three more days together.
The satisfaction and buzz of running your own successful business combined with doing something you love, working with children and music rubbed off onto my husband. Two years ago he left his job as a senior manager of a buying department at Homebase having worked in the J Sainsbury group of food and DIY for 20 years and joined me working on my franchise. He became the fortieth franchise holder having bought his own patch to start from September 2001.
We are both now fully involved with our two franchise operations, it is our livelihood and as such is an integral part of our lives."
For further details on Jo Jingles classes in Surrey please contact:
Carol Bell on 01883 712881
For details on classes in: Copthorne, East Grinstead, Felbridge, Horley, and Lingfield please contact Nick Bell on 01883 724800
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JENNIFER MELLOR
Franchise Area: Alton, Farnborough, Farnham, Fleet & Hartley Wintney
 Before I took up the Jo Jingles franchise I worked part-time in a private nursery school - for approximately 10 years. Prior to having children I was trained as a secretary and was a Personal Assistant to a Chief Executive Officer when younger. Nursery work fitted in with my young family and I undertook training to act as a nursery supervisor and then ran the nursery in the owner's absence. I had played the piano from a very young age and so took over the music provision at 3 nurseries.
This experience has been invaluable in my Jo Jingles life.
I saw the advert for the Jo Jingles franchise just at a time in my life when I needed something more to do. My children were teenagers (not always less demanding!) and the wording of the advert ... ".are you musical, ... used to working with young children,. want your own part-time business ?" seemed to be aimed directly at me. At the time it took a lot of nerve to make the final decision to jump out of the cosy nursery school scene to being my own boss but it's a decision I have never regretted. The profile exactly fitted my own skills - I now realise this is so important because it increases confidence when dealing with parents.
I am thoroughly enjoying running my own business. The business procedures are not complicated but it is definitely hard work and not really a "part-time" occupation anymore. Despite the "holidays" a lot of holiday time is spent on administration and preparation. My secretarial background has helped with the organisation and I am lucky to have a 'whizzy' computer that I use for accounts etc. and a husband who has been able to guide me on using it (when I let him!). I have now learnt to copy my music onto a database and 'burn' my own CD's!
Everything I put into the business comes back in spades. I do invest quite a lot in visual aids and props as I don't like doing it on a shoestring. It is really satisfying that people enjoy what's on offer and want to come back
My nursery school business is also very successful. The main nursery I go into has expanded fourfold and I now have a class teacher to help me develop the classes there."
For further details on classes in Alton, Farnborough, Farnham, Fleet& Hartley Wintney please contact Jennifer Mellor on 01252 794329
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