Others!
Buyer - Liz Gabriel
I Joined Boots UK in 1989 after a degree in business studies. I worked in various buying roles, buying everything from shampoo to sunglasses and toys, many of which involved extensive foreign travel. I returned to work part-time after the birth of my second daughter and enjoyed brand and category management roles and, more latterly, I worked a “coach” helping less experienced buying teams to maximise their potential.
I have always wanted to own and run my own business and felt a franchise offered the least risky option. It is also great to have the support network of the franchisors and the other franchisees. There is a great feeling of camaraderie which will only get stronger as we continue to expand the brand nationally. Puddle Ducks itself appealed to me as it offered me the opportunity to run my own business but still enjoy my family life enabling me to be around after school and in the holidays to support my daughters during their formative pre and early teenage years.
The Puddle Ducks brand and swimming programme is so well put together and continually evolving and improving so I felt sure I could make it work and reap the financial rewards on offer and have a lot of fun in the process!
Liz owns the Nottinghamshire franchise
Midwife - Faye Burrell
I first had the urge to become my own boss after having my first child, Laila in 2005. Up until then I had worked as a Midwife which had always been my dream job since being a child. My priorities had changed in life since becoming a mum, and I found midwifery was not very family-friendly. I am a very caring person, and not being able to do my job to the standard that it should have been was just very frustrating for me.
I fell pregnant again soon after, and had Lucas in 2007; a water-birth which was the most amazing experience of my life. Every time Lucas had a bath or went swimming in those first few months of his life, he was just so relaxed that he would fall asleep. Swimming has always been a keen activity of mine, swimming competitively and synchronised swimming as a child, and I always believed in the huge benefits of learning to swim at a young age.
I came across Puddle Ducks on a website advertising franchises, and was instantly interested: it just seemed like the natural choice. After visiting Tracy and Jo in Mid-Cheshire and watching some classes, I was instantly hooked and could not think of a more ideal business for me.
Running a Puddle Ducks franchise is hard work, but it is the BEST decision I have ever made. I look forward to every working day, and never once dread going to work, it is always a joy. Teaching has been the most natural and easy part for me, and the business side of running a business has been more of a challenge as it has taken me completely out of my comfort zone, but has been very rewarding and enjoyable. It is also very easy to structure that side around your family.
Faye owns the Wakefield and South Leeds franchise
The rewards of seeing how much the babies/children and their parents enjoy our classes, and the development and skills they are achieving is fantastic and constantly brings a smile to my face. It seriously is the BEST JOB IN THE WORLD. I feel so lucky.
Local Radio Presenter - Jenifer Scheuber
Since I can remember I have always been swimming. After University I started work a local radio station and loved it. I was a presenter and covered a variety of shows, outdoor concerts, met and interviewed some semi-famous pop stars. I moved on to present the breakfast show, but early mornings, a new baby and travelling didn't go well together. I loved the media and still do but I enjoy the marketing side of things now and I still use my talents for talking.....
Puddle Ducks is something that can make a difference to a child's life, makes me smile and gives me a sense of achievement.
Jenifer owns the South Cheshire franchise
Nicola Wilson - Account Manager
I have a degree and was very career focussed until my first baby arrived, but then my priorities changed more than I could ever have anticipated. Prior to starting a family I was an account Manager for a scheduled airline. I loved my job and did lots of travelling with it, and plenty of entertaining. When my daughter arrived I completely changed my working life and took on a part time Office Manager role with my local County Council. I enjoyed my time off with my baby girl and took her to many activities including swimming classes.
Over the last few years I have looked at many franchising opportunities but none caught my eye quite like Puddle Ducks, pobably mainly due to my love of swimming and the fond memories of swimming with my own babies. The opportunity sounded fantastic and once I had met Jo and Tracy and seen the programme first hand I was hooked. The lessons I watched were amazing, well structured, fun and with results beyond belief.
The earning and growth potential is fantastic and although there is quite a lot of work involved in setting everything up, you can do this at a time thats suits you and your family and to be honest when you are doing it for yourself it's exciting and not at all a chore. If you are considering purchasing a Puddle Ducks franchise I would not hesitate to say "go for it!" Its certainly an opportunity not to be missed.
Nicola owns the Lincolnshire franchise
