There are currently five franchisees across Ireland and North West London and there are plans for further expansion
The growing number of STEM jobs has created a rise in demand for STEM education franchises. The most popular ones ensure they teach children to expand on their natural curiosity with hands-on, fun and interactive learning.
Boasting a nod of approval from undoubtedly the greatest scientist of all time, Junior Einsteins Science Club is expanding thanks to overwhelming customer demand and its child-centric and dynamic approach to teaching. Launched in 2012 by Tracey-Jane Cassidy, who has an MA in science from Trinity College and an MSc from The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the club was initially launched when Tracey-Jane realised that her three children were not doing enough science in primary school. The financial success of the initial offering led to more people wanting to open their own franchises.
“We launched in South Dublin and word spread very quickly and I soon realised that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with demand,” explains Tracey-Jane. “I put the franchise wheels properly in motion in 2016, which started with getting permission from the Einstein organisation. When I explained that I believed that Einstein would be thrilled with what we are doing, which is combining creativity, imagination and intellect to inspire more children to choose science, they agreed.”
Franchising was the obvious route for expansion as Tracey-Jane explains: “The franchise structure allows us to reach as many children as possible and give them positive experiences in science. It is crucially important that the quality of our offering is never compromised and franchising gives us the framework to ensure our high standards are constantly met.”
Junior Einsteins Science Club enjoys a high profile thanks to Tracey-Jane’s numerous award successes including winning the first prize International VOOM 2018 Richard Branson Virgin Media Business Award. She was also honoured to speak at The United Nations New York ‘International Women & Girls in Science Day’, leading to Junior Einsteins Science Club to collaborate with The United Nations, R.A.S.I.T ( Royal Academy of Science International Trust) and Girls in Science International Platform Program to bring STEM to girls globally.
There are currently five franchisees across Ireland and North West London and there are plans for further expansion with new support from Franchise My Business, a specialist franchise marketing agency and integrated sales call centre.
“After speaking with the team at Franchise My Business, I felt very confident that they would find the right franchisees to join our network,” says Tracey-Jane. “They understood that the right franchisees would be passionate about the brand, dedicated about the importance of STEM education for children and have a good work ethic to be a self-starter to run their own profitable business.”
Junior Einsteins Science Club is a low investment franchise, with the opportunity to be extremely profitable in a short amount of time. Franchisees can be owner-operators and will exhibit a high amount of energy to inspire the children and enjoy organising and running events or be a management franchisee and demonstrate good leadership and management skills. Both will need to show a passion for the company’s core values and mission.
“This is a proven and profitable business model with an extremely high-profile and strong brand,” explains James Cotton, co-founder and franchise development director of Franchise My Business. “The fact that it can translate to any territory in an area that is in huge demand from customers and has future relevancy thanks to its educational offering, makes it a franchise that will be hugely popular with a wide range of people. The exceptional level of training and support each franchisee receives means we are open to speaking to people from a wide range of backgrounds.”
Within the Junior Einsteins Science Club franchise, there are science parties, after-school science clubs, science workshops, demonstration events, Easter and summer camps, science corporate events and science family festivals.
“What makes us so unique is that we teach children how to think, not what to think and encourage them to make mistakes so they can learn from them,” adds Tracey-Jane. “The children learn through a high-energy, fun environment, with many activities taking place outside with bug hunts and discovering quantum physics through playing with nerf guns. There is a huge amount of teamwork, collaboration and using imagination and children’s natural curiosity to inspire a love for learning and science.”
This original way of teaching has been very well received as owner-operator Maureen Hoey, franchisee in County Louth explains: “Since launching in November 2019 we have been overwhelmed with the response and the number of inquiries, it’s been amazing. We’ve had a phenomenal uptake on after school clubs, parties and school shows, we want to continue to deliver first-class STEM clubs, parties and events all over Louth.”
The business growth opportunities have been excellent too. James Murtagh started his first franchise in March 2020 in Meath with a long term goal of expanding. “I have received tremendous support and encouragement from Junior Einstein’s Science Club HQ as a franchisee,” he says. “Becoming a Junior Einstein’s Science Club franchisee has been the best decision I have made in my professional career. No two days are ever the same, which is the most enjoyable and exciting aspect of my business. The business has continued to grow and expand, while also making a real difference and positive impact on so many children’s lives.”
James has now established Junior Einstein’s Westmeath.
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