Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m Catriona, I’m 27 and I started Music Bugs Edinburgh Central back in April 2019. I lived and worked in Glasgow for 9 years before moving to Edinburgh in March 2019 to launch my Music Bugs franchise. I originally studied to be a music teacher but discovered that I much prefer working with a younger age group.
What did you do before joining Music Bugs?
Completely by chance I ended up working in a job that was based around play for ages 0-5 and I absolutely fell in love with it. I worked there for 5 years and loved every minute of being around children learning through play and using music and sensory fun to build on their development. I discovered this was what I wanted to do ‘when I grow up’ but had gone as far as I could in my job so the idea of starting my own business began to grow!
What attracted you to Music Bugs?
When I was first looking at my options, I was drawn to the branding of Music Bugs and I like that it’s really clear what we do – music! As I then looked further into it, I watched some videos of classes and I was even lucky enough to go and see a Music Bugs class, I realised it was just exactly what I’d been looking for. It’s a bit of everything in terms of using sensory and play in classes but has a big focus on music and the importance of music in a child’s development. The fact that Music Bugs have World Nursery Rhyme Week and make it so huge every year again, with emphasis on its developmental benefits, was also something I was very drawn to. I really like there’s a bit of freedom to make the classes your own and personalise them to what you want to do. I then attended a Music Bugs discovery day, where after hearing about it in more depth, and meeting some of the lovely people behind it all, I knew Music Bugs was perfect and was so excited to get started.
What territory do you cover and what training and support did you receive to establish your franchise?
I run Music Bugs in the central area of Edinburgh. The training and support from Music Bugs is incredible. My weekend of training was so in depth and reassuring. I love the fact that there is constant ongoing support not only from head office with regular phone calls and online help but also all of the other franchisees who make it feel like one great big team. I’m so glad I picked Music Bugs as a franchise opportunity – the help, support, reassurance and the franchisee community plays a huge part in that.
What future plans do you have for your business?
At the moment I have been running Music Bugs for less than a year (I launched my business in April 2019) so I have plenty of plans ahead of me! I am working on getting the Music Bugs’ name out there in Edinburgh and loving introducing people to my classes. I’m trying just to take everything as it comes but I can’t wait to see what the next few years brings. It’s so exciting!
What do you enjoy most about being your own boss?
I love being able to manage my own time. I previously worked more than one job and had no time to enjoy the things that I like doing and spend any time with friends or family. In the short space of time that I’ve been running Music Bugs I’ve had such a sense of achievement knowing I can do my work when it suits me but also make time to enjoy my own life.
What was your favourite nursery rhyme when you were a child?
Quoting from my Mum when I asked her this question! “Twinkle Twinkle and Baa Baa Black Sheep were your first ones and sung a million times each…”
Interested? 
