Finding a franchise that is emotionally, intellectually and financially rewarding, while also offering enough flexibility for them to meet their parental duties, is the elusive Holy Grail for mothers.
A baby franchise whose popularity mushroomed after featuring on ITV breakfast show This Morning offers entrepreneurial mothers the chance to not only achieve that work-life balance, but to aid their baby’s development in the process.
Six years on and Tiny Talk has appeared Down Under, in the guise of Tiny Sign
Katie Mayne set up Tiny Talk in Guildford in 2002 after discovering that her first child, Harry, could communicate with her through sign language (know as pre-verbal communication). Six years on and Tiny Talk, which teaches parents how to communicate with their babies, has also appeared Down Under, in the guise of Tiny Sign.
The Tiny Talk website explains what it looks for in a franchisee:
“If you are lively, enthusiastic, can sing, have an interest in baby signing (you need experience by the time you start your classes), and are organised, self-confident and want a job with flexible hours which fits in with family life and term time, then call the Tiny Talk office on 01483 301444” or visit the website.
Sally Grant: What led you to franchise the business?
Katie Mayne: I had two months to work it all out. I could see myself being so successful that my classes would go across the UK, and to ensure that consistency of standard I decided franchising was the way.
SG: How did you respond to the prospect of appearing on This Morning?
KM: My response was ‘woo’! I was 20 weeks pregnant with my second child, although I thought this was a golden opportunity.
We did really ‘umm and arr’ about it; do we go for it? I knew that if I went on television this would be a rollercoaster – and that is precisely what happened.
SG: What happened on the show?
KM: I contacted a business advisor who was a specialist in franchising, so when we went on TV in February 2003, I knew it all. We had an eight-minute slot and I did a tiny plug saying I was looking for other teachers across the UK.
