Hi, I’m Julie, the franchisor of TechyTots. My journey with TechyTots began back in 2018 as a pilot franchisee. At the time, I was a single parent, trying to balance being present for my girls while also working to support us. For years, juggling responsibilities had been my everyday reality. I’d held lots of different jobs, but I hadn’t found anything I truly loved. I was working part-time, relying on Universal Credit just to make ends meet. When TechyTots came into my life, it felt like the first opportunity where I could build something meaningful—not just for me, but for my family too.

How it Started

I was actually introduced to TechyTots by my sister, Sarah, who owns TechyTots Horsham. She was exploring the idea and wanted my opinion. After chatting it over and encouraging her to go for it, I had a lightbulb moment—I called her back and asked, “What would you think if I joined too?” Lucky for me, she said yes!

Starting my own business was both exciting and a bit scary, but I loved the mission of TechyTots: introducing kids to coding through fun, hands-on play. The thought of growing my own business was exciting, and knowing I was in control meant I could shape it exactly the way I wanted.

At the time, I was working part-time in a creche, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to launch TechyTots. So, I took a leap of faith, borrowed the franchise investment fee from my parents, and officially started TechyTots Sutton and Cheam in August 2018. Continuing to work at the creche gave me the flexibility to get TechyTots off the ground while still having a guaranteed income.

It didn’t take long for me to shift my focus entirely to TechyTots. By Easter 2019, I had left the creche, and TechyTots became my full-time commitment. I started running my first after-school clubs three days a week, which generated more income than my previous job. Our presence grew quickly, and I soon found myself needing to recruit staff to meet the demand for classes. Today, TechyTots Sutton and Cheam employs four dedicated staff members and offers multiple breakfast and after-school clubs each week, along with school enrichment days and holiday classes.

Why I moved from Franchisee to Franchisor

In 2021, the founder of TechyTots decided she had taken the company as far as she could, and it was time for new leadership. For me, stepping up from franchisee to franchisor was a natural choice. I wasn’t ready to be done with TechyTots. I had experienced firsthand the positive impact TechyTots had on children’s learning and confidence, as well as on my own life. As a franchisee, I gained the flexibility to work on my terms, have control over my schedule, and be more present for my children. I knew I wanted to offer others this same opportunity to build their own business with the support and guidance needed to succeed. Despite the challenges of lockdown, which temporarily paused our classes, my commitment to TechyTots never wavered. I was ready to lead us forward, supporting franchisees in bringing this enriching experience to even more children.

What has happened since taking over

Since taking over as Franchisor, TechyTots has achieved notable recognition, winning the Best Franchise at the ClubHub awards, and earning the ‘Best Coding Class UK’ Award presented by Lux Life magazine, along with being nominated for multiple awards.

I have revitalised the brand, giving it a fresh look and feel, while also launching a new website. I have also joined various organisations, such as the Children’s Activities Association and EWiF (Encouraging Women into Franchising) to instil confidence in parents, schools, and potential franchisees, assuring them of TechyTots’ dedication to being the leading children’s coding activity. As an ethical franchisor, we are fully committed to supporting our franchise network.

How you can be part of TechyTots

You can join Julie and the TechyTots team on an exciting journey of coding education for children. With their passion for nurturing young minds and their dedication to creating a future where coding is accessible to all, TechyTots is poised to make a lasting impact on the world of children’s education. To find out more fill out the online form, or contact us at franchise@techytots.co.uk