Sean Harper of Just For Fun Holiday Club is sharing all about his busy August!

August is upon us – it’s the month of holidays, summer fun and time off for many people. So how are small business owners coping with the month often known as ‘silly season’?

Up today is Sean Harper, from the Just for Fun Holiday Club. Based in Swindon, the Just for Fun Holiday Club provides affordable childcare for children during the school holidays between the ages of 4-13 years. With a huge range of activities to participate in, the children never have an opportunity to get bored.

How is August looking in your business?
This month we entered our sixth Summer running as Just for Fun Holiday Club. We have lots of new staff joining us on this incredible journey. We have a new venue which now takes us to 4 venues in Swindon with others in the pipeline in the not too distant future. We have on average 300 children per day taking part in a variety of fun and games. August is by far our busiest month of the year and one that gives me the most satisfaction being able to see all the hard work prior to the summer paying off. We pride ourselves in being inclusive to all and have a wide range of children who will use us this summer.

What are your personal plans for this month? 
I am in training for the London marathon next year. With this month being so busy I’m concentrating on my eating habits, more than the running in the evenings. I also really want to push for this summer to be our busiest and most successful, not only financially but with the children who attend and then the 5-star reviews following their time with us. 

What advice/tips would you give to small business owners trying to navigate the ‘holiday’ period? 
Parents have their children for six weeks and so are most open minded about what they want to do and try. Offer something that will make someone think that they want to give that a go. Most children want some variety during the summer holidays as things can become a little repetitive.

Did you know that July 29 to Aug 7 was Love Parks Week? Is this relevant to your business or do you ever visit a park in your community?
As a family we often go to the small play parks around north Swindon. These are a free and fun thing to do with the children and in-between visiting them we pick berries, play eye spy, have races, eat ice cream. The children love the freedom they get once you shut the gate. They can run around and be free to explore and do what they want. I spend most of my time on the swing seeing how far I can jump off, or pushing both of mine so that they are in sync. It's harder than it sounds!

August 20 is World Photo Day. Can you share a photo which means something to you this year so far?
This photo is my last day working in education. It was a truly sad day for me but one I knew I had to make to grow Just for Fun Holiday Club. 

The journey has been amazing and was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make to leave and continue onto the next chapter. 

Pictures of the scene. Day one at Stratton Education. I was inexperienced and new to the sector. A child threw a chair at me and told me in no uncertain terms to get away. For once I was innocent. I called my Grandad on the way home and his advice was see the week out and then see how you feel. 

In between, Ridgeway staff football team went unbeaten all over Wiltshire for two years. I qualified as a middle leader and managed a team of amazing ladies at John O’Gaunt, went on the most unbelievable school trips with St Johns, I taught PE for a year, I was head of house at two schools, progress leader for two year groups, headed up the house system and became a safeguarding officer. Oh and I won best dressed for THREE years straight.

I leave with more qualifications then I thought I could achieve for a non-teaching staff member; I always felt imposter syndrome when speaking with those more senior, met colleagues who have helped mould me into a better person - not only for the students but for my family, earned respect (that doesn’t come easy) with the students I encountered. 

I’ve been very lucky to work at four amazing schools and work for some quality line managers and head teachers. 

Now I am fully committed to Just for Fun Holiday Club, excited to see how far I can take this monster with the added bonus of being able to see my family more and be more with it, rather than being there in person but my head being elsewhere. 

Mr Harper out!

Did you know August 21 is World Entrepreneurs Day? What does this word mean to you and do you apply it to yourself? 
I see entrepreneurs as highflying businessmen and women. I never look at myself as one. I guess I get a little bit of the imposter syndrome when I go to networking events with lots of entrepreneurs who are great at what they do. I feel what we offer is very simple and therefore I would rather listen to them then sell myself and my story. 

A few days later on August 25 it’s Love My Accountant Day. Who is your accountant and why is this person so important for your business? 

Fiona at By the Book Accounting is unbelievable. She has helped us so much since we started. She keeps us on the straight and narrow and takes away any worry I have about something not being done properly. You hear stories of the tax man popping his head up years later for an unpaid bill. We don’t have that worry with her. She takes that worry away. 

Can you name one business you’d like to give a summer shout out too? Who has gone the extra mile for you recently? 

Bouncy Squad – They are supplying us with bouncy castles at every venue this summer for a good and competitive price. They have been so helpful from the start, offering lots of options that would suit our children. We have gone for the assault course castles at each venue for maximum fun and participation. We will be making this a regular booking in the summer months. 

https://www.bouncesquad.co.uk

We are in a cost of living crisis at the moment. Is that impacting you at all in life or business?
To be honest as a business it hasn’t really impacted us yet but I know it has impacted some of our suppliers who are really struggling to stay afloat. There will always be a need for childcare during the school holidays and with us offering such a good price, parents are happy to send their children to us, knowing that their money will be well spent. We also work with families who are struggling and have given away thousands of pounds worth of free days to support those who really need it. 

To learn more about Sean Harper and the Just for Fun Holiday Club visit https://justforfunholidayclub.co.uk/