Inspiring the nations imaginations is at the heart of all we do here at Creation Station. We are fortunate to work with a fantastic family of our lovely franchise owners. Kirsty Hickson has been inspiring imaginations in Driffield since 2013 and this is her story:
“I was a Bachelor of Arts with Qualified Teacher Training. I spent 12 years in teaching 10 of them being responsible for the teaching of Art across the school from Reception to year 6.
I have always had a dream of working for myself and being able to manage my working hours around my family life. I also wanted to still work with children in some way, as I thrive off seeing my own and other families being happy and just adore children. It really was all a dream I thought until I saw The Creation Station.
I hadn’t planned at all to buy into a franchised business as I really thought being self-employed was all a pipe dream and also I didn’t really know anything about franchises. When I found The Creation Station and researched it the idea of a franchised business with a great brand name, ethos, values and the huge amount of support you receive from others, it really did seem perfect. I felt I had a lot of the hard work getting started taken away by buying a franchise.
The whole idea and concept of The Creation station is so very me. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love experimenting with crafts and my husband used to joke at my collection of sequins and glitter. So when I saw The Creation Station I was thrilled, as it was a way of following my dreams of working for myself and had all my loves of crafts and working with children all rolled into one. I actually couldn’t believe there was a franchise out there that was so perfect for me. It felt like it had been made for me.
I am now in my sixth year and there is so much potential for my business and me!
I have achieved so many things in my first five years and have many other goals to work towards. I plan to continue to grow my business, introduce classes in more towns and villages in my area and generally expand what I can offer to the public. I currently employ one local mum to help run classes and plan to love to take on more staff to help make the biggest impact in my local community.
Starting a new business is hard work but the most rewarding thing I have ever done.
If I knew what I know now, I would have launched my own Creation Station much sooner. I never expected to feel sheer happiness and contentment from owning my own business. The fact that I can run my business an encapsulate all my loves in life in one still fills me with so much pleasure. And the great part of it I still have so much hands-on quality time with my children.
That’s not to say it’s hard work or tough some days but I know that the effort that I put in helps my own business and I reap the benefits. I have learnt to take the good days with the bad days because you do have them and to remember to keep smiling. I’ve learnt to at the positives in my business and life. If you know you are working hard on the right things and are passionate about your service it will be successful and you will be happy!.
Every day has different highlights. It takes one small child to run and give you a hug and plonk themselves on your knee to those who suddenly gain the confidence to speak to you and attempt my name to make your heart melt. It makes me realise how important what we at Creation Station. It can be one parent thanking you for what you have done and how they have got so much out of the sessions too for you to realise the difference you are making to families.
On a business level my highlights have been achieving goals I set at the start of my journey and seeing the progress I have made. Gaining ‘Franchise Family of the Month’ award in my first few months was so lovely. Phil, Jack and Alfie are the reason I do what I do and they have always been so supportive and help in lots of aspects of my business. For our Creative Hub team to recognise all of us was really lovely. The Creative Hub crew provide a wealth of support and are always on hand to support me and my other fellow franchise owners.
Winning ‘Best Can Do Attitude’ award in my first year was a huge highlight. All the franchisees work incredibly hard and to be picked out in my first year from some very high calibre was amazing.
More recently and probably my biggest highlight was winning the ‘Inspiration’ Award this year for my work with Barnardo’s.
I do set goals and this has resulted in me growing my business in a way that sits me and my family. I’ve got great partnerships and friends locally and feel a big part of my community, which is so lovely. Running my own Creation Station has given me more than imagined. I feel fulfilled, happy and grateful that I am able to choose time to enjoy time with my family.”
We are very proud of Kirsty here at The Creation Station. She is a true inspiration to all and we are so fortunate and grateful for Kirsty to be part of our family.
Click here to find out about Kirstie’s classes, parties and events.
If Kirstie’s story has inspired you and you would like to find out more about running your own fun and rewarding business, then click here and fill in your details to receive your FREE Creation Station franchise information pack.
