Parents in Business featuring Hartbeeps
Career

Parents in Business featuring Hartbeeps North Kent

This week on my Parents in Business series I’m delighted to be featuring Sarah who set up the Hartbeeps North Kent franchise. Sarah set up the business after sadly suffering with postnatal depression following the birth of the second child and realised that she had to set up the classes to help and benefit other parents who may also be going through a tricky time after having children. 

Since launching the business it has won the 3 Hoop Award which is a huge success when you’re juggling work, running a business and family life. It’s never easy, and this is a huge achievement for Sarah. Well done! If you want to find out more about Sarah’s business journey and how Hartbeeps could benefit you, read on…

Tell me a little bit about you, your background, and your business?

I’m Sarah Hurrell, mum to two boys aged 6 and 4 and I’m the franchise owner of Hartbeeps North Kent. After the birth of my second child, I decided to launch the Hartbeeps North Kent franchise in my local area to offer classes where babies, toddlers and their parents could come together and experience excitement and joy through music, lights and imaginative play.
 
Just recently Hartbeeps North Kent won 3 Hoop Awards – Best for Babies, Best for Toddlers and the Kent Hoop Hero Award voted by parents via the popular Hoop App. We were also proud winners of the Customer Choice Award at the Dartford Business Awards 2018 too.
 
Parents in Business featuring Hartbeeps

What were your motivations for setting up your business?

Shortly after the birth of my youngest son, I was diagnosed with postnatal depression. This was probably one of the most difficult times of my life. I knew I had to do something to get me through it. I had already attended Hartbeeps classes with my eldest and decided to go along again, travelling an hour and a half round trip just to feel safe and secure in the surroundings of somewhere familiar as there was nothing I could find similar near where I lived. The magic, the theatrics and seeing my little baby’s face light up seemed to instantly bring me out of a deep, dark hole. From that moment onwards, I knew that I had to show others how beneficial these classes were, not just for babies and toddlers but for parents too. I’ve since opened classes that are local to me that offer a welcoming and comfortable environment for all where no parent should ever feel alone. I often see parents start a term not knowing anyone and leave with a whole new friendship group. It’s truly wonderful to see.

Launching Hartbeeps North Kent and spreading that extra little bit of happiness to both parents and children was the best decision I ever made. I wouldn’t change it for the world

How do you balance the business around your family and childcare?

This is one of the biggest challenges I face on a daily basis! Not only do I own and manage the Hartbeeps North Kent franchise, I also teach many of the classes too. With two children who have busy social lives, plus a husband who works full time, I have learnt to accept that I just can’t do it all and it’s ok to ask for help. I have since built a team within my business to include more teachers, admin staff and a marketing assistant not just to help my business grow, but also so I can spend more valuable time with my family.

Since setting up your business what has been your biggest success to date?

Winning the 3 Hoop Awards most recently was not only one of my biggest successes to date, it was also one of the biggest surprises. I was sat on the kitchen floor, exhausted after just breaking up an argument over a toy between my two boys and an email pinged through on my phone telling me I had won. I stayed on the floor in utter shock! The fact that parents had voted for my classes as the Best for Babies and Best for Toddlers in the area meant so much and then to be individually awarded the parents’ Hoop Hero for the whole of Kent was the icing on the cake. I am continuously grateful, not just for the support from my customers past and present but that others share my belief in the magic of Hartbeeps classes too.
 
Parents in Business featuring Hartbeeps

What’s your top tip for anyone who is thinking about setting up their own business?

I would say trust your gut instinct. I was in such a vulnerable place when I attended Hartbeeps but it rescued me and now I absolutely love what I do. If you truly believe in your business, you will make it a true success.

Thank you so much for letting me feature you on my blog, and all the best for the future! 

Hartbeeps North Kent run baby and toddler classes in Dartford, New Ash Green and Cobham with more classes coming soon. To book a taster class, visit the website www.hartbeeps.com/north-kent or follow Hartbeeps North Kent on Instagram and Facebook

If you like what you’re reading and would love to be part of my Parents in Business series just drop me an email: thepramshedblog@gmail.com. Or have a nose at some of the other businesses I have featured in the series: MosaicoMockingbird Makes, and Wiio Ltd

Claire x

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