- Start Up Cost:
- Franchise Type:
- Sector Type:
- Investment Type:
- Market:
- £13,975
- Home Based
- Childcare & Education
- Start-up
- B2B, B2C
Monkey Music classes first opened in 1993 in London but their popularity and demand across the UK led to the company being franchised in 1998.
Today, nearly 50 franchises operate at over 300 locations across the UK and every week more than 12,000 families attend our classes.
A Monkey Music franchise is an opportunity to work for yourself, whilst being supported by a team of specialists sharing an integrated approach to providing the best franchise support at Head Office – you will find them friendly and approachable too!
Having been franchised since 1998, Monkey Music classes operate across the UK. Most of our franchise sales are new territories, although a small percentage are sales of existing franchise businesses.
Our long-term objective is to further increase the number of franchises more extensively to cover all areas of the UK.
Twenty five years of tried and tested business knowledge is incorporated into an initial 5 day teacher and business training programme comprising ‘on the job’ teacher training, group seminars, online practical sessions and introduction to our integrated Customer Relationship Management System and on-line bookings, consultant presentations and one-to-one mentoring. Subsequent day-to-day support and diarised meetings with our dedicated Franchise Support Manager and specialists at Head Office help franchisees as they plan and grow their businesses.
Franchisees offer weekly music classes for babies and pre-school aged children. Some run all aspects of their business, including teaching their own classes, whilst others train separate teachers to run their classes. There is also the opportunity to run holiday workshops, private parties and provide lessons in day nurseries.
Classes are held at local venues, and the business side of running the franchise is generally carried out in the franchisee’s own home using the Monkey Music Customer Relationship Management System & online booking system, operating manual guidelines and continued access to the Head Office Support Team.
What is your career background?
My background is Music and Marketing. I toured with my own band in London for over 8 years before going to work in marketing at Sony Music. I have always been hugely passionate about music, and have been involved in it one way or another for as long as I can remember.
How many years have you owned a Monkey Music franchise?
I started in September 2014.
How did you first hear about Monkey Music and the franchise opportunities available?
I was introduced to Monkey Music by my sister and her husband, who run their own franchise in a neighbouring territory and it combined everything I had ever learned and loved about music, with the added bonus that you have the incredible fortune of working with young children. I started working with them as an office manager, and after a couple of years took the next natural step and began to enquire about buying my own franchise. I can tell you now that it’s the best decision I ever made. I still work with them both as we continue to work as a trio on both their franchise and mine. It’s quite literally a family affair.
How often do you work?
I work full-time - a decision I took early on - you quite literally get out of it what you put in. However, you can be very flexible. If you work hard throughout the term you really will see your customer numbers and profits grow and still get decent holidays particularly in the Summer.
How does the job fit around your personal life?
The job fits very well around my personal life. As well as having the benefit of working with my family, we have built a great team of teachers who we work very closely with to ensure the smooth running of the business. I prefer where possible to get my work done in the day time but it’s great to have the flexibility where, if needed, I can work from home to catch up. Equally if you ever need to be somewhere else during office hours you can very easily plan for it and working as a team means there is always someone to cover for you - managing your own time is a huge benefit.
You get all the support and training that you would ever need from head office. They are hugely welcoming and support you in every way possible, particularly in your first year where you are supported by your Franchise Manager. Head office are also always present thereafter if you ever have any questions or need advice.
Do you get support/training?
You get all the support and training that you would ever need from Head Office. They are hugely welcoming and support you in every way possible, particularly in your first year where you are supported by the Franchise Support and Development Manager. Head Office are always ever present thereafter if you ever have any questions or need advice.
What is the best thing about Monkey Music for you?
The flexibility it offers you. The fact that you run your own business, and can build a team that you feel utterly comfortable with, makes for such a wonderful working environment. Working with children is obviously hugely rewarding, watching them grow over the years and seeing them develop is massively inspiring and that is all thanks to the incredible (and vast) curriculum that Monkey Music has to offer. The Monkey Music brand never stays still, it is constantly expanding and developing, and as it grows so do you and your business.
Are there any downsides to the job?
I have yet to encounter any but if I had to pick one...it’s that I cannot walk past a buggy now without seeing it as a business opportunity! I find myself wanting to flier and talk to mums or nannies constantly, even on my days off, so you can become a little obsessed!
Would you recommend this franchise opportunity to other professional people?
Absolutely, I already do at any given opportunity. It’s a lot of fun, it’s extremely rewarding, it’s sometimes hard work and you are often rushing from A to B but when it’s your own project and you feel passionate about something it’s so fulfilling to see it going well. With two children myself I have found Monkey Music and my family life fuse effortlessly together.
.
Jeni Eastlake talks about running her Monkey Music business in Putney, Barnes & Fulham
What is your career background?
I was an Early Years and Key Stage 1 teacher and music co-ordinator in primary schools for almost 10 years. Although I enjoy playing the piano, I don’t have any formal music qualifications (although I do have grade 5 on the trombone!). However, I’ve always been passionate about music and loved being in charge of the music at my school. Anyone who has been involved in education will know that this involves far more than just playing the piano during assembly. Monkey Music was a great way for me to combine music, teaching and family life, and I haven’t looked back since.
How did you first hear about Monkey Music and the franchise opportunities available?
I read an article about franchised music classes, and thought it would be a good opportunity for someone of my experience to work flexibly around my child care needs. I was aware of Monkey Music in my area, so got in touch to see if there were any opportunities. When I observed the classes, I loved the energy and enthusiasm of the teachers – all the children and grown ups were having a great time, and each class covered so many teaching points. I knew straight away that Monkey Music was the perfect thing for me!
How often do you work?
I currently teach a few mornings a week and generally work in the office during office hours when I’m not teaching, and occasional evenings and weekends too. I have teachers taking some classes and an extremely organised part-time administrator which is absolutely invaluable. I have had some periods when I have taught much less, for example when I took some maternity time for my children. This is one of the great things about a Monkey Music franchise: you can vary the amount you take on, although it’s always hard to pass up on new venue opportunities, and my franchise does seem to have grown each term which is great but does make for more work!
How does the job fit around your family life?
Really well most of the time. I am free from teaching during school holidays so I can spend lots of time with my children. I've been very lucky to have some wonderful teachers who have helped me out during my 'maternity time', which has meant that I have been able to really enjoy it. I can usually fit some of my office work around school times. My children love having all the props and instruments around, and have been a great help when I’m learning any new songs!
Do you get support/training?
There is a Franchise Support & Business Development Manager who is always there to support me and answer any questions. She has always been at the end of the phone, and has been very willing to help and give advice when I’ve needed it. Head Office has always been great if I’ve ever needed their help too. Ongoing training is available, which is really important to keep the classes fresh. My nearby franchisees are all really lovely and we occasionally meet up for a chat which I find really supportive..
How many classes do you run?
Ove 50 each week. This has grown considerably since I started, (I ran 15 classes each week when I first started).
What is the best thing about Monkey Music for you?
There are lots of things I love about Monkey! It’s great fun and so rewarding. The babies and children are gorgeous and I love welcoming new baby brothers and sisters from families who have been coming to my classes for as long as I’ve been doing them! I get to sing my heart out, dance, do the occasional animal impression, and generate gasps of wonder simply by pulling a pink monkey out of my bag! I can vary the amount I work (within reason), still pick up the children from school myself most days, and usually be there for class assemblies and school productions.
Are there any downsides to the job?
Getting a phone call the night before from a teacher who is ill so unable to teach her classes the next day isn’t great. Some periods of the term are madly busy and I do find it difficult to keep on top of the office work, especially if I’m doing lots of teaching.
Would you recommend this franchise opportunity to other Mums?
Absolutely! It is sometimes challenging fitting everything in, and I do always seem to be rushing around, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! It’s a fulfilling, rewarding career – I can’t think of anything else that would work around family life so well!
Jayne Harris talks about running her Monkey Music
business in Chelsea & Westminster
How many years have you owned a Monkey Music franchise?
Over 15 Years
What is your career background?
I trained at the Royal Academy of Music and have been a professional violinist for over 25 years. My work spanned orchestral, chamber and commercial genres, including 20 years’ experience performing in West End Shows and 25 years of being the leader and business partner of a highly successful commercial String Quartet. I also developed a reputation for contracting numerous string ensembles for tours and concerts country wide.
How did you first hear about Monkey Music and the franchise opportunities available?
A friend had a baby and told me about it.
How often do you work?
Full time
How does the job fit around your family life?
I am able to plan tasks around family life and this is very different for me as in my former life as an extremely busy freelance violinist, work always had to come first as if you turned down the offer of lucrative work it was unlikely to be offered again. With Monkey Music I am in control of time planning and I am able to have weekends off (most of the time!) and to plan very regular holidays.
What aspects of your ongoing support and training do you value most?
I always feel I can pick up the phone to Head Office for all types of support. Teacher training forums are great too.
How many classes do you curently run?
Nearly 60
What is the best thing about Monkey Music for you?
I love the challenge of all apsects of the business. In the classroom one day and in the office the next.
Are there any downsides to the job?
It’s sometimes hard to switch off.
What are your Monkey Music highlights so far?
My 10th birthday celebrations were amazing when I raised £8,000 for our local hospital and of course I was delighted to win Franchisee of the year 2014.
Amy Thatcher talks about running her Monkey Music
business in High Barnet, Mill Hill & Whetstone.
How many years have you owned a Monkey Music franchise?
Four
What is your career background?
Before joining Monkey Music, I worked as an area manager for a well-known high street fashion retailer. I was responsible for 40+ stores and a considerable amount of profit/turnover. My role involved managing and developing a team of managers to achieve various key performance indicators. A varied role that also included marketing, customer service, strategic and business planning all of which I still use today running my franchise!
How did you first hear about Monkey Music and the franchise opportunities available?
I first heard about Monkey Music as I attended classes with my first son William when he was 3 months old. After my second son, Thomas, was born we were all still going to Monkey Music and with maternity leave soon to end I was keen to explore more flexible working opportunities that would still challenge/stretch me, but ensure I was around for my family too.
How often do you work?
Every day – it’s a full time job – but you can flex the hours to suit your needs. (I.e. around school pick-ups)
How does the job fit around your family life?
The job is very flexible and fits well around family life. I am often able to pick William up
from school and support him with his learning. I then plan in time to work a few additional hours in the evening to make sure from a business perspective I am up to date.
What aspects of your ongoing support and training do you value most?
The ongoing support and training has been amazing. When I first started the business, I had a support call with the franchise manager every 6 weeks, this was a great help to ensure that I was going in the right direction. The teacher training forums have been an absolute inspiration. Sharing ideas with other teachers to ensure that you are planning/delivering the best classes and keeping ahead of the competition! The franchise network too is so supportive. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience which the network are always on hand to share.
How many classes do you currently run?
Over 30 each work, this has grown since I started
What is the best thing about Monkey Music for you?
It’s a great job, where you can utilise lots of skills. I love the creative side of the lesson planning and lesson delivery. Watching the children grow and develop is incredibly rewarding. The business side of things is also great as that is where I can stretch and challenge myself. Plus, I get to spend quality time with my family, which with a 9-5am job could never do.
Are there any downsides to the job?
It is always busy so do not under estimate the hours that you need to put in. It is a full time flexible business opportunity.
Alex Schirn talks about running her Monkey Music business in Weybridge & Cobham.
How many years have you owned a Monkey Music franchise?
Since April 2016
What is your career background?
Before having children I worked for an events agency in London organising large scale corporate events and exhibitions. I had 2 children and during that time I became a childminder and subsequently started freelancing back in events.
How did you first hear about Monkey Music and the franchise opportunities available?
Working in events involves long hours and going away a lot - it was really hard trying to balance this with home life so I started looking into other options. I wanted something that would mean I was doing the same hours each week so I could be at home to drop off and pick up my children from school. I grew up surrounded by music, attending stage school and taking part in exams and competitions for singing, therefore I always wanted my children to be exposed to music as soon as possible. I attended Monkey Music classes with my son from the age of 6 months and then my daughter. When the opportunity came up for me to purchase the franchise it was the perfect solution. With my experience in childcare, and music, and the fact I was looking for a more family friendly career - I jumped at the chance to own my own franchise.
How often do you work?
I tend to work during school hours and sometimes for an hour in the evening during busy periods.
How does the job fit around your family life?
It’s always easier than you think it will be, whichever way you go, be it working for yourself or going back to your old job. Children are so adaptable and love being with lots of other children either at a childminders or nursery. Finding a balance can be hard but lots of employers are becoming more flexible for working mums. It’s also a bonus being able to have a hot cup of tea and eating your lunch without a toddler’s hands in it!
What aspects of your ongoing support and training do you value most?
Franchises are so great, you have the flexibility of being your own boss while having the support of a team. Monkey Music especially has won awards on being a great franchise to work with. We have regular support meetings where we are given advice from people who have been in the business for over 20 years. We get together throughout the year as a whole network so we can share ideas with each other and we also have an on line forum for teaching ideas and support.
How many classes do you currently run?
I have several teachers as well as myself and we run over 30 classes 6 days a week.
What is the best thing about Monkey Music for you?
Being my own boss means I choose the hours I work, I work around the school day so I can drop my son to school and pick him up again. It also means I can go to school assemblies and coffee mornings so my son doesn’t really know I work! Having the school holidays off is probably one of the best things about Monkey Music, it means there’s no extra childcare costs in the holidays and we are able to spend time together as a family.
Are there any downsides to the job?
It can be hard, especially when I first started out and wanted to check my emails at every opportunity! It takes a bit of discipline but I’ve now decided while the children are at home and awake I don’t go into my office, even if the phone is ringing!
Subscribe To Our Monthly Magazines To Keep Up To Date On Hot Topics Within The Franchise Industry
© 2020 The British Franchise Association
We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. By continuing to browse this site, you give consent for cookies to be used. For more details, please read our Cookie Policy.
