Case Study - Carol Bell
Five years ago I was looking for something to do to get me back to full-time work having had two children and several years of part time work in playgroups, first as a helper then as a supervisor.
In the past I had worked in child psychiatric research at the Institute of Psychiatry in London and as an Education Welfare officer in Southwark, so had always been interested in working with children.
A chance sight of an advert in a magazine whilst at playgroup sparked an interest that I followed up by meeting Gill Thomas, Managing Director of Jo Jingles Limited. Her enthusiasm and the excitement I felt at not only what Jo Jingles was all about, music, fun, movement and children but starting my own business proved too tempting and in August 1997 I signed up as the thirteenth franchisee.
The work was meant to be three or four days a week but developed rapidly over the next couple of years such that I now teach four days a week myself with two other teachers doing three more days together.
The satisfaction and buzz of running your own successful business combined with doing something you love, working with children and music rubbed off onto my husband. Tow years ago he left his job as a senior manager of a buying department at Homebase having worked in the J Sainsbury group of food and DIY for 20 years and joined me working on my franchise. He became the fortieth franchise holder having bought his own patch to start from September 2001.
We are both now fully involved with our two franchise operations, it is our livelihood and as such is an integral part of our lives."
