Fast facts

• Honiton based company
• Very successful franchise model of 46 businesses across the UK, Ireland and Australia
• Teach over 26,000 babies and toddlers to swim every week
• Offers a range of other services, underwater photography, teaching aids and pool maintenance
• Never advertised for franchisees – 100% organic growth
• Joined Beacon as a strategic business move (part of the GAIN network)

Background

Water Babies was created in 2002 by Paul and Jess Thompson who were inspired by taking their own daughter to swimming lessons. Their infectious enthusiasm has now grown Water Babies into the world’s largest baby and toddler swimming company, teaching over 26,000 children every week.

The company has experienced phenomenal growth over the past 10 years with 46 separate franchises across the UK, Ireland and Australia, with new enquiries coming in from around world. Water Babies also offers a range of other successful products and services including underwater photography, teaching aids and pool maintenance.

GAIN – the benefits

Water Babies has experienced ‘double digit’ growth and continues to recruit people from all walks of life including sports professionals, City traders and doctors who are looking for a new and exciting challenge.

The company has formed the UK’s first strategic alliance with a national swimming organisation, the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) to help support parents and children beyond toddler age.  Managing Director Steve Franks refers to an ambition of offering support ‘from cradle to gold medal’, as well as mental and physical development and the powerful bonding experience between parent and child.

Steve Franks said: “Having grown a fantastic business, our goal now is to maintain high levels of quality, innovation and customer care. The opportunity to become a Beacon member gives us unique access to some of the finest business minds in the West Country and a genuine opportunity to observe first class companies and learn from their successes and failures.”

Steve believes that working hard on your own business can sometimes be an isolating experience and that contact with other business leaders can be an important bench-marking and problem solving process.

“Exchanging experiences with Beacon members can be an illuminating experience - sometimes you just need a little help connecting the dots in order to reach the next level.”

POSTED IN Case Studies