e x c l u s i v e interview
Catching the
Arriving at YogaBugs’ door on a dark rainy January
afternoon, I ran into founder Fenella Lindsell – Nell – sending
off one of their new franchisees from a training session.
yoga bug
Accompanied by Lara’s dog Henry, she gave me the warmest
possible welcome. I got the immediate feeling that we
were not up for an hour of stuffy stilted conversation – this
summed up Nell and Lara’s relaxed and personal approach to
their business. As I found out, the two women have built an
YogaBugs’ unique yoga
enviably successful business on a passion, of which they have
not lost an ounce…
classes have both captured
the imagination of children
You have a unique concept – how did it
come about?
and the interest from
Nell: It really hatched about 10 years ago. I had a
complementary health and yoga centre in Balham of which
investors. Since turning
I was a co-director. We decided to create a demystified
down a £1.5 million buy-
approach to the practice. We started offering pre- and post-
natal classes, baby massage, baby music and then YogaBugs.
out from Dragons’ Den’s
Peter Jones, YogaBugs is
We closed in 2003 because developers had bought the site.
My brother started going out with Lara in Ireland; I thought
now franchising and going
she was great and said; “I’ve got this good idea”. We
realised it was a great opportunity to bring yoga to children
from strength to strength. in schools and health clubs.
Editor Alison Church meets
What made you think children would
founders Fenella Lindsell
enjoy yoga?
and Lara Goodbody and
Nell: Children have the most fantastic imagination
and wonderful creativity. Through teacher training, we
discovers the yoga bug is
recognised how many children and how much interest there
was from nurseries, schools and health clubs. For schools, it
out and spreading fast! is a wonderful all-inclusive and non-competitive activity, and
www.franchisornews.co.uk | 12
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