As my own children grow, I’m very excited

“As my own children grow, I’m very excited to have the time to explore all the additional avenues that Jiggy’s offer to further expand my business and the support we offer in the community.”

Meet Donna Fields, mum of two who has been running Jiggy Wrigglers in North Sheffield since September 2021.

Tell us about yourself

Before having my daughter aged six and my son aged four, I worked in a variety of jobs as a family and children’s entertainer in holiday parks in the UK and overseas. I then worked in the travel sector, primarily as an area manager for Virgin Holidays. I loved my work, but it did require a lot of travel, which was not ideal with a young family. On my daughter’s due date, my mum sadly and very unexpectantly passed away. During this very traumatic time, I opted to seize the opportunity for redundancy when it arose.

Why Jiggy Wrigglers?

Grieving for my mum and becoming a new parent was very challenging and I felt very lonely in the early days of motherhood. A colleague told me about setting up her own Jiggy’s franchise after she left Virgin Holidays and I loved the idea of it. Through my own experiences, I knew how difficult it can be and how important it is to build connections and community with others and Jiggy Wrigglers shares this ethos. I’m so passionate that Jiggy’s can provide a safe space where we encourage parents and guardians to chat through problems or just to have a place where they can meet others going through similar situations.

Business journey

I currently offer 11 classes per week and I’m very proud that two of them are in collaboration with local community centres, enabling people from a diverse background the opportunity to attend. These classes ensure that finances are not a barrier to people enjoying Jiggy’s, which is very rewarding for me personally.

There are so many opportunities to explore different avenues of growth and I’m currently working with the council attending local Family Hubs. I also offer sessions at private birthdays and I’m looking to expand into nursing and care homes as well as schools and nurseries.

How is your life/work balance

After my mum died, it was really important for me to prioritise a job where I could work to my own timetable while also feel like I’m doing something that positively impacts the people around me. Working in a corporate environment meant my phone and emails had to be monitored what felt like 24/7 and although I’m still very busy, it is now on my terms, which makes all the difference.

The joy of running Jiggy’s

People tell me that the sessions are a real lifeline for them, which is just wonderful to hear. I’m a huge advocate for building community and being inclusive. I love bringing Jiggy’s to places where perhaps young families would not have the opportunity to participate in sessions such as we offer. Building friendships and support within the sessions is great not just for the children, but also to those that look after them.

Training and support in a franchise

I had never run a business before so although I was very excited, it was daunting initially. Before I started the training, I probably underestimated just what it takes to run a successful business but the benefits of being part of a franchise network like Jiggy’s means that there are loads of support and people around you that you can lean on for guidance. Our franchisor Katie is always available to offer us support and there is a dedicated Facebook group as well as practical help in terms of technical support and design templates.

Can you share your future ambitions

My plans for the future are deeply rooted in the belief that new parents and guardians need more than just a place to bring their little ones—they need a supportive network where they can share experiences, seek advice, and forge lasting friendships. I understand the challenges and isolation that can come with early parenthood, which is why I’m so proud that our sessions provide a genuine sense of belonging for both the adults and the babies and toddlers. As my own children grow, I’m very excited to have the time to explore all the additional avenues that Jiggy’s offer to further expand my business and the support we offer in the community.

Advice to others

You have to genuinely love making a difference in people’s lives because that will fuel your passion for your business. I love to see the children come each week and watch their development. It’s not just that their cognitive skills improve but they start to find their own confidence and within a few weeks, make that big leap of stepping out from behind their parents. First time parents often come to the class very anxious with their baby or toddler and I love to put them at ease and to create a space for them to really relax without judgement. In terms of running the classes, you have to be fun, upbeat and have a lot of energy.

Join the Jiggy Wrigglers franchise

Katie will be running several virtual Discovery Den sessions where you can find out more about joining the Jiggy Wrigglers network.

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 07966065643

Web: www.Jiggywrigglers.com

To enquire about attending the classes, contact Donna on the details below. Facebook: Jiggy Wrigglers North Sheffield

Instagram: Jiggy.wrigglersnorthsheffield or Jiggy.wrigglers.northsheffield

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: 07823887837