Children's Entertainment Franchise Owner on Creation Station

After 18 years in the RAF Lou Higgs is taking her career in a direction that allows her to spend more time with her husband and two young sons.

Although not due to leave her job as an air traffic controller until April next year, she has already bought a Creation Station children's entertainment franchise in Lincolnshire and is getting the business up and running.

While she is still working a full-time job, Lou has begun with saturday sessions once a month and school summer holiday sessions, and in September will have two weekday Exploration sessions for under fives. By classing her Creation Station sessions as a ‘civilian work attachment’ and using annual leave and settlement leave she has created two days per week to run the business.

Lou has ended up being busier than anticipated. Her first Saturday Creation station was fully booked and the waiting list length prompted her to schedule two sessions back to back for the following month.

FS Blog: Why did you give up such a good job?

Lou Higgs: After I had children my priorities shifted. Having to work away from home with the RAF for four months at a time and leave my babies was heartbreaking and put everything in perspective.

Family comes first now. My husband had already left the RAF and I wanted to find a way of balancing my work and home life.

FS Blog: Why a franchise then?

Lou: I decided a few years ago that investing in a franchise and being my own boss seemed the ideal solution for me. In my job I’m used to being in charge and it would be difficult to go somewhere else and start from scratch as a new employee.

Although I have managerial and organisational skills I don’t have business experience so I need the structure and support that comes with a franchised business.

FS Blog: And why Creation Station in particular?

Lou: The Creation Station felt right for me. I really enjoy arts and crafts and I felt the session flowed well and the lesson plans followed a good structure.

FS Blog: Why the overlap with your job?

Lou: Because of the good salary I am on, I knew I couldn’t risk starting from scratch.

By the time I leave in April 2010 I need to be established and bringing in an income. I’m not going to pay myself during this time as I am classing these sessions as training.

FS Blog: Tell me about your aspirations for the business...

Lou: Once I receive my RAF payout, I would like to invest more in the business and eventually take on additional Creation Station franchises in neighbouring areas. I don’t just want a part-time job,

I want to expand and have a thriving business that will give me a full-time career in a few years.

My first financial goal is to achieve an income of £10k per year and then build up to £20k plus.

FS Blog: Congratulations on a successful first month...

Lou: My first session was nerve-racking and tiring but I was on an adrenaline high. I know it will get easier as I relax and get more familiar with the setting out and packing up.

I’m really looking forward to the next sessions and getting to know the families.

All the work I am currently doing is really worthwhile. I am really happy right now and excited about having more time to drive the business forward and being able to fit my working life around my number one priority – my boys.