Case Study - Alastair Kendall

During the last four years, my life has transformed beyond recognition. In 2003, I was made redundant and decided that it was time to re-address my work life balance. Having worked for 17 years as an Investment Analyst for a number of prestigious London financial institutions, including Rothschild and UBS Warburg, I was keen to try something completely different; a career that would allow me to spend more time with my family, make a worthy contribution and, of course, earn a good living.

It was then, by chance, that I discovered The Little Gym – a franchise company that has been incredibly successful in the US. Up to this stage, I hadn’t considered the franchise-route but the company impressed me a great deal. It offered a programme unlike anything else available in the UK, catering for children from 4 months to 12 years.

As well as really good quality physical instruction, kids on the programme got a cerebral workout too, incorporating elements to improve attention and social skills, as well as their physical well-being. All youngsters, regardless of ability, had the opportunity to evolve and I liked that idea a lot! With a proven business model in the US, I was keen to find out how this concept could be successfully introduced to the UK – and the key to its success was in the training. Having a big US brother is a great resource in terms of knowledge, experience and tools needed to do the job. Most US exports work incredibly well in the UK and given the level of research put in and the quality of the programme, The Little Gym was no exception.

In 2003, I signed the first UK franchise agreement for a gym at Hampton Hill, which was to be erected following the demolition of an existing garage. Whilst waiting for completion of the premises, which took longer than expected, an opportunity came up to take over The Little Gym ‘UK pilot site’ at Wandsworth. An unexpected opportunity, but given our success today, it’s was one I’m incredibly glad that I seized.

By 2005, both gyms were open for business. Since taking over Wandsworth, our membership has nearly doubled in just two years and we’ve just celebrated an ‘Outstanding’ OFSTED Accreditation. Hampton Hill is also following a similar growth pattern.

Have I ever looked back? Absolutely not. My work life balance is moving in the right direction; I get to spend quality time with my family and I earn a good living, working with a great team, doing something that I feel really passionate about. So passionate, in fact, that I’m considering investing further.

Clearly, the bottom line is that The Little Gym is good for kids and it’s a great business to be involved in; one that I’d wholeheartedly recommend!