In this episode of Mini Athletics & Me, we chat with Frances, who runs Mini Athletics Central Scotland and is our second franchisee in Scotland.

Frances spent nearly 20 years at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, travelling between Scotland and London. As she turned 40, she decided it was time for a complete change. She’d always dreamed of working with kids and sport, and after a chat with her life coach and a quick search online, she found Mini Athletics. Six months after her first class, she’s calling it “the best job in the world”.

In this episode:

• Why Frances left a corporate career after 20 years, and how she found Mini Athletics
• Going from “just the mum and the auntie” to coach, and why the training and support never really stop
• Starting with two or three children per class and her coach’s advice to “just keep turning up”
• Why she chose to launch in less affluent areas, with lower prices to give back to the community
• How word of mouth built a real community, including parents stopping her in the street
• Getting past the awkward early days and the imposter syndrome
• Bringing her own kids into the business (her 11-year-old is already asking for a job!)

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome Frances
00:29 Life before Mini Athletics: the Foreign Office
01:18 Finding Mini Athletics
03:54 Running her own business, but never alone
05:26 Training and her first classes
07:42 How local families have responded
12:23 The biggest challenge so far
15:08 Advice for anyone thinking of joining
16:10 Making it a family affair
17:57 What’s next for Central Scotland

Thinking about running your own Mini Athletics franchise? Download our brochure and find out more at https://miniathletics-franchise.subscribepage.io

The podcast discusses the upcoming Charity Week for Mini Athletics, highlighting its history, themes, and the impact it has on children and families. Hosts Clare and Hannah share their excitement about the new theme, Baby GoG!o, and the importance of raising funds for charities that support children in need. This years charity partner is Imagine This is the UK and St Giles in the USA.

Takeaways

• Charity Week fosters community spirit
• Children learn empathy through fundraising

Chapters

• 00:00 The Excitement of Charity Week
• 01:16 History and Impact of Charity Week
• 03:19 Themes That Bring Joy
• 06:39 The Role of Imagination in Learning
• 07:24 Supporting Children in Need
• 09:09 Building a Network of Support
• 11:50 Looking Forward to Charity Week

The podcast episode features a conversation with Shelbi Jackson, a Mini Athletics franchisee in Central Texas, USA. Shelbi shares her sports background, the growth of track in Central Texas, the importance of fundamental athletic skills, and the role of Mini Athletics in sports development. She also discusses her experience in business, transferable skills, and the comprehensive nature of the Mini Athletics program. The episode concludes with a discussion about future plans and the potential for a follow-up interview.

Takeaways

• Importance of fundamental athletic skills
• Mini Athletics program offers comprehensive learning experiences

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Shelbi Jackson
• 01:10 Shelbi's Sports Background
• 03:07 The Growth of Track in Central Texas
• 05:14 The Importance of Fundamental Athletic Skills
• 08:31 Mini Athletics and Its Role in Sports Development
• 17:16 Mini Athletics Business and Challenges
• 24:21 Transferable Skills and Mini Athletics Program
• 28:01 The Comprehensive Nature of Mini Athletics
• 30:17 Conclusion and Future Plans

If you want to find out more about franchising visit our franchising page and if you have any questions why not book a call with a member of our team. What do you have to lose?