Episode Overview

What does it really take to turn a successful education business into a national brand?

In this episode, Claire Riley sits down with Jane James, founder of Little Voices, to unpack the realities of franchising, leadership and sustainable growth. Jane shares the journey from opera singer and single parent to building one of the UK's leading performing arts franchises.

Together they explore why franchising is never a shortcut, the difference between building a business and building a brand, the systems every founder needs before scaling, and the personal leadership challenges that come with growth.

Whether you're considering franchising, expanding your education business, or simply trying to build something that creates lasting impact, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest lessons from nearly two decades of business growth.

Sponsored by https://classroomsecrets.co.uk/

00:01 – Jane's journey from opera singer to entrepreneur

03:45 – The birth of Little Voices

05:00 – Why franchising took three years

08:00 – Leadership, growth and impact

10:45 – Is your business ready to franchise?

16:45 – International expansion

19:45 – The biggest franchising red flags

25:00 – Growing your business before you scale

27:00 – Alignment over work-life balance

30:00 – Why relationships are everything

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educationbusinessclub/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/education.business.club/

All About Jane:

Jane James is the founder and visionary behind Little Voices, an award-winning performing arts franchise dedicated to nurturing confidence, creativity and communication in children through drama and singing. A trained singer turned entrepreneur, Jane has spent decades building businesses, empowering people and creating opportunities for children, families and franchisees across the UK. She is also the host of The School Run Podcast, where she shares honest conversations and inspiring stories around confidence, resilience, relationships, creativity and the lessons life teaches us beyond the classroom. Known for her warmth, emotional intelligence and ability to deeply connect with people, Jane speaks openly about leadership, motherhood, personal growth, faith, recovery and rebuilding identity after trauma. Through her speaking, writing and podcasting, she helps others find their voice, believe in what’s possible and lead with authenticity. Jane lives in the UK with her husband Ant and daughter Liv and is currently publishing her first book.

Website: www.littlevoices.org.uk

Podcast: The School Run with Jane & Liv on Apple and Spotify:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-school-run/id1669328609

https://open.spotify.com/show/1PX9LJu03t3Xe9Y1XMeR5A

Instagram: @littlevoiceslimited @mrsjanejames @theschoolrun_official

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mrsjanejames

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Episode Overview

Season 3 of the Education Business Podcast closes with a reflective and practical solo episode from Claire Riley. After interviewing more than 50 education entrepreneurs, Claire shares the biggest lessons and recurring themes that emerged throughout the season — from starting before you feel ready, to staying resilient when business feels hard, to creating a business rhythm that genuinely works for your life and family.

This episode is both a celebration of the education business community and a motivating reset for founders heading into the next season. Claire also reflects on the realities of entrepreneurship in education, the importance of listening to teachers and schools, and why persistence matters more than perfection.

Perfect for tutoring businesses, education founders, school service providers, and anyone building a mission-led business in education.

Sponsored by https://classroomsecrets.co.uk/

00:00 – Welcome to the Season 3 Finale
01:00 – Thank You to Guests and Listeners
02:00 – Why Reviews and Sharing Matter
02:45 – Lesson One: Just Start
03:50 – Launching New Products Without Perfection
04:05 – Lesson Two: Keep Going
04:45 – Handling Difficult Business Seasons
05:00 – Finding Your Own Rhythm as a Founder
05:45 – Balancing Business and Family Life
06:10 – The Advantages of Seasonality in Education
06:35 – Build What Teachers and Schools Actually Need
07:00 – Looking Ahead to the New Season
07:20 – How Education Business Club Can Support You

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educationbusinessclub/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/education.business.club/

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Episode Overview

This episode explores what makes selling into education fundamentally different from other sectors. Steve Whitley shares four decades of experience across EdTech, international education markets, and consultancy, offering practical insight into long sales cycles, trust-based selling, exhibitions, MAT buying structures, and the financial realities facing schools.

The conversation focuses on how education businesses can grow sustainably while staying grounded in the realities schools face today. Steve also explains why empathy matters more than traditional sales tactics in education and why understanding the end user is critical.

00:01:00 – Steve’s journey into education and EdTech
00:04:20 – Why education sales are different
00:09:55 – Managing long sales cycles in schools
00:12:05 – Are exhibitions and BETT worth it?
00:19:40 – How to spend a small marketing budget
00:23:40 – Email marketing and database strategy
00:27:50 – How MATs are changing school buying
00:31:10 – Why the student is still the real end user
00:32:10 – The pressures schools are facing right now
00:35:05 – Final reflections on supporting schools

All About Steve:
Steve Whitley: A Seasoned Technology Leader
With over 40 years of experience in the EdTech industry, Steve has a deep-rooted understanding of the global education technology landscape. Starting his career in a local education authority, he transitioned to commercial roles, where he successfully sold technology products to governments, schools and institutions worldwide.

As a key leader in a prominent EdTech company for over 26 years, Steve oversaw worldwide sales, marketing, and development teams. The company's innovative STEM education products are used by K-12 students across the globe.

EdTech Consulting: Tailored Solutions for Success
Leveraging his extensive experience, Steve founded EdTech Consulting. The company offers a range of services designed to help technology companies thrive and grow, including:
• Go to market strategy development
• Executive mentoring and support
• Sales and marketing training
• Project management
https://edtechconsulting.co.uk

Volunteering

Discovery Educational Trust
Discovery Educational Trust is a Multi Academy Trust, based in South Essex and currently comprising five schools.

As vice-chair of trustees, Steve is actively involved in all aspects of governance of the schools in the trust. In addition to being vice-chair of the main trust board, he also sits on the Audit & Risk and Finance & Resources committees and is the chair the Human Resources committee.
https://www.discoveryeducationaltrust.co.uk

Education Research & Development Institute (ERDI)
Based in Chicago USA, ERDI work to create a rich and meaningful forum for education leaders and solution providers to collaboratively discuss, design, and shape the products and services, that support K-12 education.
As an expert network volunteer, Steve participates in ERDI events where he offers guidance, support, and mentorship to solution providers seeking to understand and launch into new international markets.
https://www.erdius.org

AI in Education
Steve is a member of the EdTech panel, guiding and supporting AI In Educations mission to ensure that every learner and educator in every school and college, is ready for an AI-powered future - one that nurtures not just knowledge and skills, but well-being, agency, creativity and lifelong adaptability.
https://www.ai-in-education.co.uk

Website: https://edtechconsulting.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenwhitley

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.