Hear from Cook Stars Franchisee, Carrie Ann Elmer who runs her children's cookery business in Rossendale and Blackburn. Carrie was previously a primary teacher but invested in her Cook Stars Children's Cookery Business nearly 5 years ago. She now runs 10 cookery sessions per week.
"I have a better work life balance and I enjoy being my own boss. I can take my daughter to school and pick her up everyday as work can fit around my family."
"During my time at Cook Stars I feel I have learned so much – you do really have to be a ‘jack of all trades’ but that’s what makes the job interesting. There is always a new project round the corner and new challenges to face. The fact that the fundamentals are in place to help you build the foundations of your business really helps – the recipes are brilliant, the format of the sessions works very well and the additional workshops and parties help you to extend these.
I would never have been able to set up my own business and If I had I think I would have given up long ago but the support received as a franchisee is excellent and makes you want to keep stiving to make yourself and your business better!"
That I am in control of the amount and type of work I do, so I can concentrate on parties, working with schools, working with SEND children, workshops, working with charities, anything I like!
My main highlight would be opening up my Cook Stars premises in September 2022. I love the fact that I can keep everything in one place and that I have more flexibility on the times and dates I run classes. I am more visible (as I am based on a main road) and I love ‘opening up’ at the beginning of the day and making the space more appealing to my customers. It also helps having an office space that isn’t at home!
I have been able to provide HAF sessions across 2 local boroughs every Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays for the last few years. I also work in several local schools supporting them with their range of after school provision. Charities now get in touch to ask how I can help supporting their funding bids, so for example I was able to host 6 free sessions for children with SEND over the Summer holidays, with an additional 2 more planned for October half term. I have also been working with Rossendale schools supporting their PASTA programme where children and parents cook a meal together to take home.
The onboarding process was really smooth - with all my very personalised questions answered by Faye efficiently. I didn't feel pressurised at all to make a decision within a timeframe that suited them - and I appreciated that. Since then, the team have been really on-it with helping me in my queries of set with helping me in my queries of setting everything up.Sonia - Cook Stars Wiltshire
I have been a Cook Stars franchisee for 4 years now, and have just signed up for another 3 years. The head office team are super enthusiastic and informative making sure that you know your business inside and out. They must be good as I have 2 franchises with Cook Stars!Sara - Cook Stars Newport - Ebbw Vale
Fantastic franchise to be part of. Nothing is hidden. All very open from the start. Great support from head office. Earning potential great. Wider team very supportive. Such a great activity to be part of. It doesn’t even feel like work.Claire - Cook Stars Stroud and West Gloucestershire
We have a proven winning formula at Cook Stars and are involved in a growing flourishing market.
Work part time in an immensely rewarding role and enjoy huge financial success too!
We offer a clever business model with multiple and diverse revenue streams from which you can offer in your exclusive territory.