Learning made fun

Mums In Business - Automatic Right To Be Trusted?

I am totally bewildering by an exchange of emails I have recently had with a lady we had hoped to do business with.

Musical Minis had approached her to develop an idea in conjunction with her company. We were prepared to pay large sums of money but asked a few commercial questions so we could trust our money would be safeguarded.

Our questioning obviously offended her as she said she was sad that we think a Mum in business could be capable of taking someone's money without delivering. This has left me questioning that are Mums in business always totally honest and should we accept anything they tell us. Or is that view totally naive and Mums in business can be good or bad depending on the person?

When I established Musical Minis as a Mum of a one year old, I was excited to be a Mum in business. Musical Minis is an enterprise closely linked to Mums. Our franchise network has always been made up of virtually only Mums, our classes are designed for children but obviously appeal to Mums (as well as Dads, Grandparents, carers etc.) as it them who sign their children up and pay for our classes. Musical Minis is totally Mum orientated!

I have come across unscrupulous Mums who run businesses - perhaps I've been unlucky. I do like to support local and national Mums in business. Most Mums in business seem to have huge job satisfaction and want to do the best job they can. I know how hard it can be juggling a family and a business, I also know that I would never let anyone down if I had committed to do something. However, I think this is more down to the person I am and not just because I am a Mum.

I am really interested in your views - please let me know what you think.

 

 

Musical Minis Sponsoring EWIF Award

Musical Minis are delighted to be sponsoring the New Woman Franchisee of the Year EWIF Award.

I have written about EWIF, Encouraging Women Into Franchising, before as Musical Minis have been EWIF members from very soon after it was launched.

EWIF has a mission statement:
1.To encourage women to consider buying a franchise operation
2.To encourage women with existing businesses to franchise them
3.To help existing franchisors to attract more women into their franchise.

 

EWIF's aims are very close to those of Musical Minis. Musical Minis has attracted an entire network of women franchisees. We have no problems taking on male franchisees but there must be something about our franchise and philosophy that appeals to women. If you would like to learn more about becoming a Musical Minis franchisee click here.

In 2010, the Musical Minis Buckingham franchisee, Amanda Perkins, won the EWIF award we are sponsoring. It was then the Young Woman Franchisee of the Year where entrants had to be under 25 years old. Now the award is the New Woman Franchisee of the Year and is for women who have taken on a franchise after January 2011.

There are 6 EWIF awards. New Woman Franchisor of the Year, New Woman Franchisee of the Year, Woman Franchisor Employee of the Year, Woman Service Provider of the Year, Woman Franchisee of the Year and Woman Franchisor of the Year. In additiuon there is An Outstanding Contribution To Women In Franchising Award - this award is open to nominations.

If you would like to enter any of the EWIF Awards or would like to nominate someone for the Outstanding Contribution Award then please click here to download the application forms. All the Awards are based on achievements during 2012.

The closing date for entries is 14th March 2013. Finalists will be notified by mid-April 2013 and announced to the public shortly afterwards. The 2013 EWIF Awards ceremony will be held in London on 16 May 2013. All finalists must be able to attend the award ceremony.

Good Luck!

Musical Minis Franchise Opportunity In Hertfordshire

The opportunity has arisen to re-licence the Musical Minis Hertford franchise when the existing franchise expires at Easter.

Musical Minis has been in the Hertford area for 15 years and over that time has brought fun to thousands of children. In addition to weekly classes, Musical Minis has worked with Nurseries and Children’s Centres.

Hertfordshire was one of the first Musical Minis franchises. In the 15 years Musical Minis has been operating in the area, it has been built up into a viable, profitable and sustainable business and we would like to see this success continued. We are looking for outgoing, lively people with good organisational skills, preferably, but not essentially, with experience of working with young children, to continue Musical Minis presence in the area. You will be strongly supported by Head Office and the rest of the franchise network.

Please click here to learn more about being a Musical Minis franchisee or alternatively contact us at enquiries@musicalminis.co.uk

Please Nominate Musical Minis In The What's On 4 Awards

The Whats on 4 Awards are now open for nominations.

Musical Minis have been thrilled to make it through to the voting stage for the last 3 years. We only need 4 votes to make it through to the voting stage so if you would like to nominate please click here .

Nominee Name: Musical Minis
Nominee Location: The franchise area you attend classes 
Nominee Contact Name: Your local Musical Minis franchisee
Nominee Email: Your local franchisees email address
Nominee Contact Tel: Your local franchisees telephone number

Details for your local franchisee can be found on the Musical Minis website under the location.

You can nominate only once in as many categories as you wish.
The categories for Musical Minis are:
Best National Baby & Toddler Development Activity (newborn to 2 years)
Best National Pre-schooler Development Activity (2 to 5 years)
Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Under 5s (Area specific*)
Best Children's Party Entertainment

Thank you in advance for your vote.

An Opportunity With Gigglz

We have been asked to share the following post with you by ex Musical Minis parents who have set up the following opportunity with Gigglz.  Please note Musical Minis has no connection with Gigglz and does not endorse its products.

If you’re interested in working for yourself and earning an income with flexible hours that could suit your family, Gigglz might be the option for you.

A gorgeous range of UK designed high quality children's clothing and competitively priced with the High Street, the range caters for both boys and girls from 1 year to 6 years, and includes dress-up themes. Set up by serial entrepreneur Mark Abrahams, who has a wealth of experience in launching successful business ventures in the UK and taking a very hands-on approach, Gigglz offers people the opportunity to set up their own businesses in a flexible working environment to complement their lifestyle.

Key benefits:
- Flexible working hours
- No ongoing commitment
- No minimum order or sales targets
- No previous experience needed
- Quality product and exclusive to Gigglz
- Sold exclusively through Agents with no web sales
- Regular team, regional and national meetings to share ideas and receive ongoing training
- Access to HQ for questions and support
- All agents receive full training and guidance on how the day-to-day tasks of setting up and running your own business and tips on how to host a party
- Minimal upfront commitment of £225.00 for a complete range of clothes with high profit margins (not commission based)
- Starter pack includes marketing kit to help you start promoting your new business

Gigglz is currently recruiting local independent agents – for more info or to register as an agent, please visit www.gigglz.co.uk  or call 0845 456 2338.

2% of the company’s revenue is donated to children’s charities starting with the NSPCC.

Toy Fair 2013 - A 'Toy' That Bothers Me!

Yesterday I went to the 60th Toy Fair at Olympia. I've been every year for the last 20 years to meet my suppliers and see what is new in the puppets and instrument market for Musical Minis. Whilst it is always lovely to see the companies we buy from and have a little chat, for the last few years there has been little to be excited over. Unfortunately, this year was the same!

Looking at the toys as a whole, there was nothing that inspired me or I felt may become a new craze. I walked around the 'New Toy' section and just saw games my children played with that had been revamped and redesigned.

There was one 'toy' there that was there last year too and as far as I'm aware I don't think it has taken off. It bothered me last year and again this year so I thought I'd see what you think. It is called Magic Choc and comprises of milk, white and dark Belgian chocolate. The idea is to mold the chocolate into various shapes which you then can eat. The chocolate doesn't need heating and can be squished into the shape of animals, birds, monsters or whatever you fancy making. What do you think?

Musical Minis Top 10 Names in 2012

Following on with our tradition of analysing names for the children attending Musical Minis classes, the list below is for the children who attended during 2012. It isn't necessarily children who were born in 2012. Furthermore, it doesn't include children who attend Children's Centre sessions or nursery sessions.

The numbers in brackets following the name are the position for the name last year in 2011.
Top 10 Boys Names:-
1 Oliver (1)
=2 Harry (2)
=2 Jack (6)
=4 Charlie
=4 Thomas (7)
=6 James (=1)
=6 George (=8)
8 Ethan
=9 Daniel (=3)
=9 William (=3)

The names to have dropped out of the top 10 boys names are Benjamin and Joshua. These have been replaced with Charlie and Ethan. Oliver remains as the most popular name with Jack and Thomas becoming more popular and moving up the top 10, whilst  James, George, Daniel and William have became less popular.

Top 10 Girls Names:-
1 Emily (1)
=2 Olivia (2)
=2 Sophie (3)
4 Jessica (5)
5 Charlotte (9)
=6 Lucy (6)
=6 Lily
=6 Isabella
=6 Isabelle
10 Matilda

There have been more changes in the girls names. Emily remains as the most popular girls name with Olivia remaining in 2nd place. New entrants are Lily, Isabella, Isabelle and Matilda whilst Ava, Ruby, Holly and Chloe have dropped out. Sophie, Jessica and Charlotte are the names in both the 2011 and 2012 top 10 that have become more popular since 2011.

From the popular names to the unusual names, from Aaron to Zoe (in our A - Z for 2012), there is a huge variety of names. It was interesting to see how names differ across the UK. In Scotland the most popular names were Ollie for a boy and Lucy for a girl. In Wales the most popular names were Charlie for a boy and Ffion for a girl. In the North, Oliver was most popular for a boy and Sophie for a girl. In the South, George was the most popular boys name and Emily the most popular girls name.

Names are obviously a personal choice by the parents. What one person loves another might not. If you would like to know how popular your child's name is or fancy finding a unique name for your baby, just let me know.

Once again it is my 19 year old daughter, Emily, who has analysed the list of names. Her name has been the top girls name for the 3rd year in a row. She is still happy being called Emily, so parents of Emily's we have chosen well!

New Classes In South Wales

Musical Minis South Wales is very excited to announce that they have 4 new classes opening after half term. Places can be booked from immediate effect by emailing jo@musicalminis.co.uk

The new classes are:
Mondays - in Barry - 11.00 - 11.45am,
Tuesdays - in Bridgend - 10.30 - 11.15am
Wednesdays - in Penarth - 9.45 - 10.30am & 10.45 - 11.30am

These are in addition to the classes already run in Barry, Pontyclun and Sully.

Classes are also run in Nurseries and Children's Centres in the area.

We're looking forward to meeting lots of new Musical Minis very soon. Please spread the word. Thank you.

http://www.facebook.com/musicalminissouthwales

Winter Fun

THERE is now a new activity download on the Musical Minis web site. It's our Winter themed download with songs and cooking and collage activities to do.

Click on this link and enter your details to instantly receive the pack.

We would love to see photos of the finished activities in the pack. Please email them to us at enquiries@musicalminis.co.uk

Let us know how you get on with this download and any ideas which you may have for future ones. Are there any specific activities you particularly enjoy doing with your children? As well as being educational we primarily really want both children and adults to have fun

Musical Minis Wishes You All A Happy 2013