Chris Cummings started his Raring2go! franchise 18 months ago and now looks after the Brighton, Brentwood and Billericay territories.
Raring2go! publishes a high quality quarterly A5 magazine which provides parents and carers of primary school children with a definitive hyper local guide of what to do and where to go. Franchise owners generate income by selling advertising space in the magazine and online to local companies. Production, printing and distribution of the magazine is carried out centrally by the franchisor and a full business start-up and on-going training and support package is provided. The magazine aims to be fun and informative and frequently carries exclusive interviews with celebrity parents.
Chris explains what appealed to him about the Raring2Go! franchise:
"I have always worked in media, events and advertising sales so a magazine publishing franchise was a natural choice for me. I met the managing director , Freddie St George, at a networking breakfast and was impressed by what I heard about the business. I now have the support of a national network and the magazine itself is of a very high quality so it is not hard to sell advertising space. The business is very flexible in terms of hours so it gives me the freedom to pursue my other business interests such as sales training consultancy. The first year has been spent getting the magazine out there and telling people about it, however now I have repeat customers who continue to rebook space because they know it gets results."
He added:
"The level of support both from head office and from other franchise owners has been great. I would certainly recommend the franchise to others as it offers a good work life balance and can be run from a home office so overheads are low. It is vital to research your local area. If you put the hard work in during the first 12 months and build up relationships with clients then it will start to reap results."
"I have achieved so much in my confidence, building friendships, getting out into networking groups..."
"I desperately wanted to find a more child friendly career, where I could still work hard but where I was in charge..."
"I'm proud to be part of the Raring2go! national family and love what I do."
Claire Healey in St Albans and Harpenden has been a Raring2Go! editor since 2009.
Angela is the Raring2go! editor in Chorley & Leyland and lets us know how she’s getting on.
Helen Murray, originally from New Zealand, is the archetypal example of a Raring2go! business owner.
Sue Berry talks about being an editor for Raring2go! in Barnsley and Wakefield.
Vicky Norman runs her Raring2go! business in Sunderland and can now balance her working and family life.
Swapping her sales job with Autotrader for editing her own Raring2go! magazine has been a great success for Birmingham-based Penny Beddows.
I have never felt the value of being in a team more than in these last few months. Although I am my own boss, the support of our franchisor during lockdown, has been second to none. That support has seen regular and honest communication; training; practical advice; forward planning; and pulling together all editors to share ideas on how best to support customers and motivate each other.Sally Walters, Editor Raring2go! – Kidderminster & Stourbridge
I’m proud to be part of the Raring2go! national family and love what I do. Every day brings something new and we not only help local families have fun and make the most of the local area but we help local businesses reach those families, helping our local areas thrive. What’s not to love about that? #Raring2go!Victoria Withy Editor Raring2go! - Aberdeen City & Shire
I have achieved so much in my confidence, building friendships, getting out into networking groups. If you’re thinking of working for yourself, to have a great job opportunity that is flexible around your family and lets you still do everything you need to do for your family then Raring2go! is for you.Kiri St George Editor Raring2go! - Worthing
An enviable life / work balance
Part of an established, trusted and respected national brand
A supportive franchisor who works in partnership with the franchise network