Editorial

Creating a Magical Experience for Children

The Little <a href='http://www.bison.com/Fitness_Franchise' style='font-weight:normal;'>Gym</a> - Children's Activities Franchise

“At the end of the day, there are a lot of ways to make a living,” says Robert Bingham, president and CEO of The Little Gym International, Inc. “Why not do something you love – something that gets you out of bed every day because you can’t wait to get to work?”

Enthusiasm is rampant at the Scottsdale, Arizona corporate office of The Little Gym International, Inc. because, says Bingham, most of the Franchise service and support management team are former franchisees and that has a large effect on how the company is run. “Because they have owned their own franchise,” says Bingham, “our staff is passionate about this business and they are anxious to help their peers grow and develop their own locations.”

The Little Gym - <a href='http://www.bison.com' style='font-weight:normal;'>franchise</a> Opportunties

The first Little Gym was opened in 1976 by Robin Wes. The Little Gym International, Inc. began Franchising in 1992 and now The Little Gym International, Inc. has over 150 locations open and operating in the US and another 60 scheduled to open in 2004. Outside of the US there are 31 locations in 15 countries, with another 30 opening in the next 12 months.

Bingham, who joined the organization in 1994, is still excited after ten years. “It feels great to be part of an organization that helps kids develop,” he says.

The Little Gym is the premier motor skill development program in the world. They offer classes for kids from four months through 12 years in gymnastics, sports skills and karate, all taught in a safe and encouraging environment. Kids who take the classes may feel it is the best and most fun hour they have each week. But, what they don’t even realize is they are also developing motor skills, social skills and experiencing intellectual growth.

“We have a curriculum-based program,” says Bingham, “and children join classes with others their age. The focus is not on being the best; it’s all about trying your best. That way each child is rewarded for what they can do. The classes develop confidence in children and that gives them the foundation for a future of success.”

The Little Gym - Franchise Opportunities Success for franchise owners is equally important to the staff at The Little Gym. “Our focus has really changed over the years,” says Bingham. “We knew we were doing great things for the kids but we also wanted to give the franchisees a better support system. Hiring former The Little Gym franchisees for our corporate staff has made a significant difference.”

“We found,” adds Bingham, “that when successful franchisees gave other franchisees advice, they were heard. It was no longer an ‘Ivory Tower’ situation where people who had never worked in the franchise were telling The Little Gym owners how to run their business.”

“We also found that we not only captured the experience of those former franchise owners,” says Bingham, “but we also captured the passion they have for the business. This business that we are privileged to be in really does make a difference in a child’s life and our franchise owners understand that. While it is a wonderful business opportunity, it’s more than just a wonderful business opportunity. It’s an opportunity to do great things for kids.”

One thing The Little Gym program is focused on is building a child’s
self-esteem. The staff can tell, both by the reaction of the kids and by the reaction of the parents, that the program is reaching the children.

The Little Gym Franchise The children are having fun, learning gymnastics or karate, and don’t realize that they are also learning other skills. Shy children blossom and awkward children become more athletic. Everyone leaves a class feeling terrific!

Building each week on skills learned the previous week, the curriculum helps children master new skills at their own pace and without competition. For example, one week a four-year-old child might learn the “monkey jump,” a precursor to doing a cartwheel. The child moves on to the cartwheel once the first step is accomplished. Since the other children are busy at different stations working on different skills, no child feels singled out for doing less than another child.

One of the more interesting classes offered, called “Bugs,” is for infants, 4-10 months old, and their caregivers. “People are often surprised to know that infants can benefit from this type of program,” says Bingham. “But once they see the child and mother interact while following our curriculum, they understand.”

There are franchise areas available all over the US and The Little Gym expects continued growth as word-of-mouth spreads about this concept. “We do most of our marketing through direct

The Little Gym - Children's Activities Franchise

mail pieces,” says Bingham, “but the most effective advertising method is moms talking to other moms. You know how it is,” adds Bingham. “If one mom finds something she likes, that she finds valuable, she shares this information with other moms. And this is the best source we have for new clientele in our gym.”

Franchisees do not need previous experience with physical education or child development. New owners receive training on the curriculum at The Little Gym University in a four-week program. In addition, there is ongoing training offered at no additional cost to assure that every franchise owner has the latest information. We demand of ourselves at the corporate office that we do much more than our contractual obligation to our franchisees,” says Bingham. “We all believe in the program and the positive influence it has on children. So the success of the franchisees becomes a shared success.”

The Little Gym offers advertising and marketing materials, an extensive library of manuals and videos to help the franchise owner, and business consulting.

The founder, Robin Wes, is still involved in the business, developing the proprietary music that accompanies the classes. The curriculum is developed by Randy McCoy, who was an employee at the first The Little Gym. “Having our concept around for so many years,” says Bingham, “has truly helped us develop the best program possible – for both our franchisees and for children.”

Everyone wants financial success but many people are also looking for that something extra. They want to make a difference by helping others in their communities. A Franchise Opportunity like The Little Gym can make both objectives possible.

“Our franchisees are outgoing people. Most are loving parents who desire to enrich the lives of children while they build toward their own future,” says Bingham. “For someone who wants to work with kids, we believe we have the best franchise in the world.”