41. The Race is On: Transforming Children's Activity Businesses with Recurring Revenue

In this episode, I chat with the incredible Sandra Kasparek, franchisee of La Jolie Ronde – French Livingston, who has been running her French business for an amazing 16 years. Before the pandemic, Sandra was teaching 300 children a week across nurseries, schools and her own classroom. Then lockdown hit — and overnight she had to pivot. With zero Zoom experience, she moved 25+ classes online and discovered something surprising… 👉 Her online model worked. Children stayed engaged, friendships formed, and parents kept coming back. Fast forward to today and Sandra is known as The Online French Queen. She now runs: ✅ 14 online French classes each week ✅ A 100% exam success rate for her teens ✅ Engaging sessions with games, competitions and even “French shopping” ✅ A business that’s been featured in the Daily Record & Edinburgh Evening News We talk about: How Sandra kept her business alive through the pandemic Why she decided not to go back to in-person teaching The marketing strategies that helped her grow visibility on 7+ platforms What she’s learned inside the Children’s Activity Business Club that gave her the confidence to show up, get seen and scale 💬 Sandra says: “Two years ago I didn’t know what to post. Now there isn’t a single day I don’t know what to post — and that’s thanks to the Club. My business is thriving and that’s priceless.” If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to adapt, grow and thrive in this sector — Sandra’s story is proof that you can. 🎧 Hit play now to hear how she claimed her crown as the Online French Queen.

Unlock the secrets to skyrocketing your children's activity business with actionable strategies straight from the Atomicon conference in Newcastle! Discover how to identify and topple your "big domino" with insights from Andrew and Pete, setting the stage for exponential growth. Get inspired by Davina McCall compelling journey towards authenticity and passion, proving that staying true to oneself can pay off big time. Plus, be motivated by Jen Gottlieb from America, who boldly shares her experience of overcoming fears and stepping out of her comfort zone to become an international motivational speaker.

Join me on this episode of the Start Grow Scale Podcast where this week we explore if franchising your children's activity business would be right path for you.

This discover how stepping out of your usual environment, whether it's working from a cozy local café or taking a short trip, can spark creativity and provide clarity in your business planning. I share my firsthand experiences of battling the common hurdles of self-doubt and negative self-talk, offering actionable strategies to maintain a positive mindset and navigate the challenges of working solo.

This week's episode I explore how to position your children's activity business within the marketplace using a unique analogy of supermarkets. I challenge you to evaluate where your business currently stands—whether it's comparable to budget-friendly Lidl or premium Marks and Spencers—and where you aspire to be. I emphasise the importance of aligning your branding, messaging, and pricing with your desired market position.