Celebrating My Win at the Encouraging Women in Franchising Awards 2024
I’m thrilled to share my experience at the Encouraging Women in Franchising Awards 2024, where I was honoured to win the title of New Woman Franchisee of the Year. It’s been quite a journey, filled with challenges, growth, and so many memorable moments, and I’m excited to tell you all about it.
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone
I first heard about the awards from Hannah, my franchisor at Boogie Beat. She suggested I apply, thinking I was a good fit for the category. At first, filling out the application felt quite daunting. Running a business is hectic, and finding the time to sit down and reflect isn’t easy. However, as I started writing, I realised how valuable it was to look back on my progress in 2023. Seeing the numbers and the growth of my business was incredibly rewarding and made me appreciate just how far I’ve come.
A Journey of Connection and Learning
The awards ceremony was held at the stunning Royal Armouries Museum, an impressive venue filled with fascinating exhibits. Naturally, I brought along my trusty companion, the baby Giggles soft toy. We had a great time exploring, and I managed to get some brilliant photos of Giggles with the giant armoured elephant exhibit. Jay, the event photographer, even helped us capture some great shots.
One of the best parts of the evening was meeting people from all areas of franchising—HR experts, admin specialists, and elite franchising consultants. It gave me a real sense of the wider network I am now part of, and I learned a lot about the different types of support available for franchisees.
Inspiring Guest Speakers
Friday’s awards ceremony featured two brilliant speakers. The first was Rachel Fay-Sedgwick, founder of Little Learners, a children’s activity franchise. Her story struck a chord with me, as she openly shared her experiences with ADHD and the challenges of juggling work and family life. Her honesty and resilience were inspiring, and I left with fresh ideas on how to support the families who attend my Boogie Beat classes.
We also heard from Gail Emms MBE, an Olympic badminton player, who shared her journey of perseverance and grit. Her insights on resilience and knowing your limits were particularly powerful. As someone who has faced challenges with long COVID, her message of balancing determination with self-compassion really resonated with me. It was a reminder to recognise my achievements, even when things aren’t perfect.
And the Winner Is… Me!
When the time came to announce the winner of the New Woman Franchisee of the Year, I was filled with anticipation. As Claire from The Franchise Consultant, the sponsoring company, began reading out the winner’s description, I wasn’t sure if it was me. But as she continued, it became clear that she was indeed talking about my journey and achievements. Hearing my name called out was an incredible moment—one I’ll never forget.
Winning this award feels like a huge milestone, especially considering how my journey began. I found franchising after my teaching career was cut short by long COVID. It was a tough time; I struggled with fatigue, brain fog, and sensory overload. Franchising gave me the structure I needed to start a business when I wasn’t at my best—the support and lesson plans were there, and all I had to do was run with it.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Ironically, it was my limitations that pushed me to expand Boogie Beat faster than I might have otherwise. I physically couldn’t run all the classes myself, so I had to build a team—and in doing so, I discovered a love for it. I love seeing Boogie Beat in different parts of the community, not just in regular classes but also in special projects like our intergenerational sessions. These activities are about connection and creating magic moments, which are at the heart of what we do.
Giving Back to the Community
A big part of my vision for Boogie Beat has always been about giving back. Supporting local charities is something I’m incredibly passionate about. This year, we’ve been fundraising for Love from Jamie, a charity close to my heart after seeing my nephew bravely battle aplastic anaemia and undergo a successful bone marrow transplant. It’s been an honour to support a charity that helps families dealing with serious illness or loss. As we move into 2025, I’m excited to choose a new charity to support, spreading awareness and giving back to our community.
What’s Next for Boogie Beat Edinburgh, Mid and East Lothian?
I hope this award will help take Boogie Beat to the next level, allowing me to expand my team and provide flexible job opportunities for people who need a work-life balance. I’m committed to creating a supportive environment that works for those who want to do the school run or have time for their own hobbies. I also look forward to collaborating with other local businesses and hosting larger community events that bring joy and support local venues.
I couldn’t have achieved any of this without the amazing support of my family, my franchisor, and my fantastic team. Together, we’ve built Boogie Beat Edinburgh, Mid and East Lothian into the thriving business it is today, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for us.
Here’s to celebrating our wins, learning from our challenges, and continuing to spread the magic of Boogie Beat wherever we go! 🥳💃🎶
If running your own Boogie Beat Franchise feels like the right next step for you head to the Franchising page to find out more and book a discovery call.
