Jan Miller Case Study
1. Finding her Purpose
When circumstances change, it often creates an opportunity to take a different path, and this was certainly the case for Jan. Having been a teacher for 20 years, a re-location and new job left her unsatisfied. After a spell at an exam board, being made redundant after three years, Jan realised there was life beyond teaching and decided to work for herself.
“Despite starting out as a music teacher, sport was where my passion really lay”, comments Jan. “When I was made redundant I realised that this was my chance to leave the constraints of teaching behind and do something that I had more control over. I trained as a personal trainer and researched franchises to do with sport, and Premier Educationreally stood out because of the strong connection with schools as well as being sport-based. The more I found out about Premier Education the more confident I felt that I could do it, and that my teaching background would be a huge benefit.”
2. Making the Leap
After going to a Discovery Day, Jan was sold on the idea of running a Premier Education franchise, so bought the business for the Swindon and Faringdon area. “It’s been six years now, and I haven’t looked back! Although it’s been hard work, the transition has been made easier because so many of the skills you have as a teacher are the same ones needed to run our courses. It has definitely felt like a natural progression, but you do have to be prepared to put in a lot of work to start with, and realise that results take time.”
I didn’t want to be tied to the classroom, I wanted to have more control over my working hours, and this is exactly what the franchise has given me.
Jan Miller, Franchisee
3. Reaping the Rewards
Jan has found the overall experience a positive one, and relishes the change in quality of life, “for me, I knew that I wanted a different kind of lifestyle to teaching. I didn’t want to be tied to the classroom, I wanted to have more control over my working hours, and this is exactly what the franchise has given me. Having the support of a large parent company, but with the freedom to run my franchise in my own way is the ideal balance. I know exactly what makes schools tick so I can speak to them on their level and provide them with the service they want.
“I’d definitely encourage any teachers with a passion for sport looking for a bit more control over their lifestyle to look into becoming a Premier Education franchisee. The great thing is, you’re never on your own; having a network of other franchisees to call upon has been fantastic.“
