Local business women, Sara Harrison, owner of Angela’s Swim School Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich, has been voted New Women Franchisee of the year 2016, in a national event organised by EWIF, a non-profit making organisation dedicated to ‘Encouraging women into Franchising’.
Sara started her Swim School in January 2015 with four instructors and 55 clients, this has grown steadily to 20 instructors and over 500 clients ranging in age from 3 months to adults in their 80’s, proof indeed you’re never too old to learn!
Sara is justifiably proud of this award but was keen to stress it was also a recognition of the dedicated team of passionate instructors and administration staff who have made this all possible.
She puts her success down to small class sizes so the swimmer receives maximum attention from the instructors and a structured lesson plan following the ‘Angela’s Swim School’ method of teaching.
Sara said: “I love my job, to see someone with a genuine fear of water, develop into a confident swimmer is so satisfying, the look on each and every face as we develop their confidence, moving at a pace that suits them whilst working on their technique. I’ve been told on numerous occasions by parents, the children ask all week when they are having their next lesson, in fact, this has led to an incredible 100% renewal rate each term, something I’m particularly proud of.”
Why a franchise?
UK head of Leisure, Retail & Franchise at Natwest
Sara said that running your own business is hard work, “I start going through emails at 6.15am whilst having my first coffee and often continue late into the evening, it’s not a 9-5 job that’s for sure, but the rewards are there, I’m doing a job I love”
Sarah chose to join the Angela’s Swim School franchise after her son was taught to swim by them. She was so impressed by their methods. After qualifying to become a swimming instructor Sara could have opened her own independent swimming school so why join a franchise?
“I probably could have gone it alone, it would have been hard and I would probably have made lots of mistakes, I can teach, but running a business – I wouldn’t have a clue! Having the security of a proven business model and the collective marketing and buying power that a franchise can offer is invaluable.
We have regular meetings to discuss new ideas, support with dealing with accounts and setting up a registered company. It was a no brainier for me, and it’s working well”.
She went on to say: “swimming is something that everyone can master, for fun, fitness or safety, it develops confidence and a real sense of achievement. I really want to urge everyone to ‘take the plunge’ and learn to swim, either through us at Angela’s Swim School or one of the numerous other schools available, I personally guarantee, it will change your life for the better!”
You can contact Sara to discuss setting up a franchise with Angela’s Swim School or general enquiries about learning to swim and the courses available via
For more general information about setting up a franchise in other fields of business she suggests the EWIF website at www.ewif.org
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