Conversations over coffee and then a text
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2025 6:56 am
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That was the start of an incredible journey for the founders of Turtle Tots, Caroline Sparks and Gaby Lixton. Fast forward 11 years and the pair have their sights on world domination for their swim school franchise.
Turtle Tots was formed in Bristol in 2011 and now australia rcs data boasts over 50 franchise businesses across the UK and Ireland. At the heart of the classes’ philosophy is teaching children life-saving skills in the water.
Gaby and Caroline took the time to speak with LoveAdmin about how their business began, how Turtle Tots has grown so impressively, and the advice they’d give to others looking to follow in their footsteps.
Taking charge of their destiny
The duo’s backgrounds have been fundamental in shaping their success. Gaby, who has a business degree, explains: “Caroline had a very successful baby and toddler marketing market business and I exhibited at Caroline’s exhibition a couple of times. We would meet up for coffees and bounce ideas off each other.”
Gaby was confident she had something special on her hands with the first Turtle Tots. And it didn’t take long for people to show their interest in franchising the business. But Gaby didn’t want to take this step on her own. “The first person I thought of was Caroline, so I texted her.'”
The timing was ideal. Caroline was selling her exhibition business, and so a partnership formed. Within a few months, they had added three swim schools to their portfolio. It was then that Gaby took a step back from the swim school she had launched in Bristol in order to focus on growing the franchise.
Running classes and want to reduce your admin by 80%? Learn more about how LoveAdmin’s dance school software can help
Want clearer visibility on franchisee performance? Discover how LoveAdmin can help your business.
That was the start of an incredible journey for the founders of Turtle Tots, Caroline Sparks and Gaby Lixton. Fast forward 11 years and the pair have their sights on world domination for their swim school franchise.
Turtle Tots was formed in Bristol in 2011 and now australia rcs data boasts over 50 franchise businesses across the UK and Ireland. At the heart of the classes’ philosophy is teaching children life-saving skills in the water.
Gaby and Caroline took the time to speak with LoveAdmin about how their business began, how Turtle Tots has grown so impressively, and the advice they’d give to others looking to follow in their footsteps.
Taking charge of their destiny
The duo’s backgrounds have been fundamental in shaping their success. Gaby, who has a business degree, explains: “Caroline had a very successful baby and toddler marketing market business and I exhibited at Caroline’s exhibition a couple of times. We would meet up for coffees and bounce ideas off each other.”
Gaby was confident she had something special on her hands with the first Turtle Tots. And it didn’t take long for people to show their interest in franchising the business. But Gaby didn’t want to take this step on her own. “The first person I thought of was Caroline, so I texted her.'”
The timing was ideal. Caroline was selling her exhibition business, and so a partnership formed. Within a few months, they had added three swim schools to their portfolio. It was then that Gaby took a step back from the swim school she had launched in Bristol in order to focus on growing the franchise.