Names: Lisa Houghton and Tracey Park
Business: Talking Tots
Business Website Address: Talking Tots
What do you do?
Talking Tots offers interactive & fun sessions to help pre school children develop: social confidence, listening and attention skills, sharing and turn taking skills, semantic knowledge (word meaning), narrative ability (storytelling), phonological awareness (to aid literacy).
What inspired you to set up your own business?
For several years we had been noticing a decline in the social & communication skills of the general pre-school population. There are many pre-school classes that focus on music, movement, dance or messy play – there are NO other classes that focus on one of the most important, complex skills that we ever learn... communication.
We are both paediatric Speech & Language Therapists, with over 30 years experience between us, so it made sense for us to start classes. The first classes that we started became so popular that we realised that we had something that parents wanted and that no other pre-school groups were offering. So we’ve decided to now launch Talking Tots throughout the UK...
How old were your children when your business launched?
Lisa - 2 girls ( 7 & 4) Tracey 3 girls ( 20, 16 & 7)
What was the most difficult aspect of starting up your home business?
It was a huge step to give up our salaried careers as Speech &
Language Therapists and enter the ‘business world'... BUT we’re so
pleased that we did! We are totally passionate about Talking Tots and
have never looked back, or regretted our decision to “go it alone!”
How did you finance your business start-up?
We started Talking Tots whilst still working part time for the NHS and we also had income from our independent Speech & Language Therapy Consultancy.
What has been your most useful or valuable resource / tool / advice when starting up your own home business?
We've had some great advice and support from UkBusinessForums.co.uk
What has been your most successful marketing activity?
We had some flyers printed and we decorated our car and walked in the local procession / gala day! Also, every weekend, we put on our Talking Tots T Shirts, grabbed our children and pounded the streets handing out flyers, in all weather.
What has been the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome in terms of business success?
We have worked tirelessly over the last couple of years! We’ve been really lucky to find fantastic people to work with... lawyers, accountants, web designers and many more. We are so passionate about Talking Tots that professionals have been keen to help us.
How do you separate working time from family time?
Talking Tots is a ‘family affair’ really... our husbands and children are involved and our children are all good friends! We are a ‘family friendly’ company!
What has been the biggest benefit to your family, of you being self-employed?
We are very happy in what we do... Talking Tots makes our work life a pleasure.
Do you have any regrets about starting up a home-based business?
Not at all – never!
Any top tips you can give to other mums who are considering starting up a home-based business?
Our top two practical tips are:-
- Don’t be afraid to take a different path in life. When an opportunity comes along, bite the bullet and “go for it!”
- Surround yourself with people & professionals who believe in you and your business
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