Rocketman Rich - The Launch of Mini Athletics Canterbury

Discover how Rich Man transitioned from a career in football coaching and driving trucks to become an enthusiastic franchisee with Mini Athletics. Hear about his journey, challenges, and how he’s building a thriving business in Canterbury.

Main Topics:

• Rich’s background in sports, coaching, and customer service
• The emotional moment that sparked his decision to join Mini Athletics
• Building confidence and overcoming initial business challenges
• The importance of foundations and community connections
• Growth strategies: scaling up nurseries, schools, and holiday camps
• The role of franchise support and community in success
• The impact of positive mindset and learning from mistakes

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Rich Man and his Mini Athletics journey

00:24 - Rich’s background in football, coaching, and sports at Butlins

01:07 - Transition into the car industry and driving trucks

02:12 - Joining Mini Athletics and the joy of coaching children

02:48 - The moment that inspired Rich to become a franchisee

03:20 - The nickname “Rocket Man Rich” and its significance

04:21 - The community feel within Mini Athletics franchise

06:19 - Life changes and new freedoms since starting the franchise

07:02 - Overcoming perfectionism and learning on the go

08:01 - Building confidence and embracing mistakes

09:21 - Achievements in six months and the importance of patience

10:16 - Focusing on fundamentals and foundation building

11:09 - The support network and franchise community

12:37 - Future plans: summer camps, nurseries, and expansion

15:23 - The value of small steps and consistent effort

16:06 - Next steps: holiday clubs and regional growth

18:47 - The impact of community, family, and shared mission

20:22 - Why franchising is a great opportunity and community support

22:49 - Sharing ideas, helping peers, and the franchise network

23:24 - Final encouragement for prospective franchisees

Resources & Links:

• Mini Athletics Official Website
• Mini Athletics Franchise Opportunities

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover how Michael Pope transitioned from teaching to running a thriving Mini Athletics franchise in Bath. Learn about his challenges, successes, and tips for building a community-focused business centered on children's movement and development.

Key Topics:

• Michael’s transition from teaching to franchise ownership
• Building a community presence and local marketing strategies
• Overcoming the challenges of setting up a new business post-initial phase
• The importance of social skills and physical literacy in early childhood
• Developing a team: plans for future coaching support
• Balancing family life with entrepreneurial pursuits
• Celebrating small wins and steady growth in a new business

Find out more about Mini Athletics franchising in both the UK and USA

UK - www.miniathleticsfranchising.co.uk

USA - www.miniathleticsfranchising.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Lara from Mini Athletics Beckenham and West Wickham shares her inspiring transition from a corporate advertising career to building a thriving community-focused children’s activity business through Mini Athletics. She discusses the challenges and rewards of launching her franchise, balancing family life, and growing her business sustainably.

• Key topics:Lara’s career change during COVID and her journey into franchising
• Transitioning from coach to business owner: challenges and opportunities
• Building a community presence through local networking and family engagement
• Managing multiple hats: marketing, accounting, operations
• Growing responsibly: focusing on core classes before expansion
• The importance of word-of-mouth and reputation in franchise growth
• Benefits of franchising flexibility to fit personal lifestyle
• Supporting network: collaborations with other franchisees and women in business
• Key advice for aspiring franchisees: start small, get your classes established, and grow strategically
• Celebrating milestones: awards, community recognition, family involvement

Want to find out more? visit www.miniathleticsfranchising.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthony Walker was the first to raise the flag for Mini Athletics in Scotland. Turning his hand to many careers Anthony has now settled in a career as Mini Athletics business owner. He talks to hosts Clare Bowyer & Hannah Danby about his journey.

From being enthusiastic about dressing in costumes matching the themes Mini Athletics rolls out to being a champion fundraiser Anthony really does embody the ethos of Mini Athletics.

If you have questions about franchising with Mini Athletics email: info@miniathletics.com or visit www.miniathleticsfranchising.co.uk

Be sure to follow us on social media @miniathletics and watch full episodes on Youtube.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Clare & Hannah welcome Hannah and Ian, the newest franchisees of Mini Athletics, who share their journey from their respective backgrounds to becoming business partners in the children's sports franchise. They discuss their initial experiences, the challenges they faced during their launch, and the training they underwent to prepare for their roles.

The couple reflects on the joys and highlights of running their franchise, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and the fun they have while working together. They also offer advice for those considering joining the Mini Athletics franchise, highlighting the need for energy, creativity, and resilience in the business.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Mini Athletics and Me, Clare Bowyer and Hannah Danby are joined by Vicki Brunt from the Children and Young People's Cancer Association (CCLG) to discuss the impactful collaboration between Mini Athletics and CCLG. They explore the significance of charity week, the importance of community-led events, and how funds raised support vital research and resources for families affected by childhood cancer.

Takeaways

• Mini Athletics has raised over £30,000 for CCLG.
• CCLG acts as a hub for childhood cancer support.
• Over 4,000 children in the UK are diagnosed with cancer annually.
• Survival rates have improved from 20% to over 80%.
• Two-thirds of survivors face long-term side effects.
• CCLG provides trusted, medically-backed information.
• Community events are crucial for CCLG's funding.
• CCLG receives no government funding.
• Funds support research and publication of resources.
• Awareness and fundraising are key to CCLG's mission.

SPONSOR US: https://www.justgiving.com/team/miniathletics2025

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CCLG: https://www.cclg.org.uk/

Visit: www.miniathletics.com for all things Mini Athletics.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 10: From Hospitality to Coaching – Ed’s Inspiring Mini Athletics Journey

In this heartwarming episode of Mini Athletics and Me, Clare Bowyer and Hannah Danby sit down with Ed Danby, who swapped 70-hour weeks in the fast-paced world of hospitality for a more balanced, fulfilling life running his own Mini Athletics franchise.

Ed opens up about the transition from managing late nights and high stress to spending his mornings on school runs, coaching children, and working alongside his wife, Hannah. He shares the highs and challenges of building a business together, from learning to embrace social media to finding joy in inspiring the next generation to love sports and movement.

We explore how Ed’s passion for coaching has reignited his own fitness, how family is at the heart of everything he does, and why the Mini Athletics support network has been key to his success.

Whether you’re curious about franchising, looking for a better work-life balance, or simply love hearing real stories of growth and grit, Ed’s journey is packed with insights and inspiration.

Mini Athletics: Discover how our play-based programs are helping kids thrive through sport and movement at www.miniathletics.com

Follow Us: For updates, stories, and tips, follow us on Instagram and Facebook @miniathletics

Love the Podcast? Leave us a review and share it with someone considering a new chapter in life.

🎧 Produced and Edited by Rob Sillito

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 9: Family, Flexibility, and Finding Her Flow – Rachel’s Mini Athletics Story

In this uplifting episode of Mini Athletics and Me, Clare and Hannah chat with Rachel Russell, a dynamic business owner and mum of two, who swapped the 9-to-5 office life for the freedom and fulfilment of running Mini Athletics South Birmingham.

Rachel opens up about her leap into self-employment, sharing the honest highs and lows of building a business while raising a young family. From school runs to strategy sessions, she reveals how she’s found rhythm and resilience in the juggle of parenting and entrepreneurship.

We hear how the supportive Mini Athletics network empowered her transition, how involving her daughters has brought unexpected joy, and why flexibility has been the biggest game-changer of all.

Whether you're a parent dreaming of more balance, someone considering franchising, or just love real-life stories of growth and grit, this episode offers encouragement, insight, and a reminder that you really can do both.

Mini Athletics: Discover how our play-based programs are helping kids thrive through sport and movement at www.miniathletics.com

Follow Us: For updates, stories, and tips, follow us on Instagram and Facebook @miniathletics

Love the Podcast? Leave us a review and share with someone exploring life beyond the desk.

🎧 Produced and Edited by Rob Sillito

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.