From 90 to 600+ Kids: One BIG Business Journey
This week on the Work It Like a Mum podcast, Elizabeth chats with Yvonne Phillips, mum of two and Little Kickers franchise owner, about bouncing back from a business setback, ditching the London commute and building a business that now welcomes 600+ children every week!
After a successful corporate career, Yvonne launched a maternity clothing business. Five years later, it closed. Her confidence? Shaken.
But with two young boys at home, going back to long commutes and barely seeing her children wasn’t the answer.
So she took another chance. This time, on a Little Kickers franchise. ⚽
She started with 90 children, two coaches and a handful of venues.
Fast-forward 16 years? 600+ children a week, around 35 coaches and a thriving business!
And she’s got plenty to say about the highs, the setbacks and everything she’s learned along the way.
What we cover:
- From corporate career to business owner — and why her first venture didn’t work out
- Picking yourself back up when business doesn’t go to plan
- Why franchising appealed after starting a business from scratch
- Building a business around two young children
- Growing from 90 to 600+ children every week!
- The fear that held Yvonne back from expanding
- Surviving COVID and coming back stronger
- Building and leading a team of around 35 coaches
- Why hiring an operations manager changed everything
- The power of having a franchise community behind you
- Yvonne’s biggest lessons from 16 years in business
Key takeaways:
Failure isn’t the end of the story. Yvonne’s first business closed, but the lessons she learned helped her build something even bigger.
Being your own boss doesn’t have to mean starting from zero. Franchising gave Yvonne an established model, support and a community to lean on.
Stop playing small! Yvonne admits fear held her back for years. When she finally backed herself and expanded, everything changed.
Business and family can grow together. Both of Yvonne’s sons grew up alongside Little Kickers and even became coaches!
Why listen:
Dream of running your own business but scared to take the leap?
From business setbacks to 600+ children a week, Yvonne shares what it really takes to build something of your own.
A brilliant reminder that sometimes the biggest risk is not backing yourself!
Show Links:
Connect with Elizabeth Willetts on LinkedIn here
Connect with Yvonne on LinkedIn here
Find out more about the Little Kickers franchise opportunity here