Emma Boardman Magliocchetti created a unique concept where babies and children learn second and third languages in a fun, inspiring
BASED IN: MALLORCA, GUERNSEY + LONDON, UK
I’ve created a unique concept where babies and children learn second and third languages in a fun, inspiring and child focused environment alongside their parents and carers.
The company is bambini lingo - The Lovely Little Language Club, we are now selling global franchises for the brand.
What is your proudest accomplishment so far when it comes to your business? What helped you get there? Was this accomplishment a clear goal or did it happen by chance?
I am incredibly proud of the business I’m currently running, not only am I being challenged every day to grow as a person (I’m very new to being a franchiser and it’s an incredibly steep learning curve!) But it also fits perfectly around my life as a mum and a wife, to have achieved that life/work balance feels like a great accomplishment.
I also get to mentor my franchisees and watch them grow and develop both in business and also in their personal lives.
I feel like so proud when I see what they are doing with my brand and how they are taking my concepts and developing them further. They are make us all look amazing.
I’d always dreamed of franchising bambini lingo, but I thought we had years to go to fully establish the brand.
When we moved suddenly to Mallorca from the UK I was left in a difficult position as I’d only ever run the business hands on, I almost sold the company, but the deal fell through and we stumbled head first into franchising.
I am SO grateful I didn’t just give it up as it’s the most rewarding business I’ve ever run in my life, and I’ve had a few!
Who/What inspires you?
I am most inspired by the relentless work ethic of my husband Nick Magliocchetti.
His energy, commitment and drive into all his entrepreneurial projects and his family is second to none.
He never fails to surprise me by how many meetings he can fit into a day, and not be late for any of them - I’ve still got a long way to go in the timekeeping department.
How has being an entrepreneur affected your life? How did it change the way you think about life?
I’ve been entrepreneurial for as long as I can remember, I’ve never understood the complaining mentality of most people.
My mantra is - If you don’t like something do something about it, or shut up!
I believe we can be whatever we want to be, as long we want it enough.
What does it mean to have competition/competitors? Do you compete/collaborate or just observe? What is the best practice to approach your competition?
I love competition, I am always hoping to be inspired by our competitors and I’m always watching to see what they’re up to, so we can do it better!
I am very open to collaborating with the right businesses, however, I haven’t yet found a competitor that fits us quite like a glove yet.
If the right company comes along I will arrange a call to see if the synergy is strong and then it would be a process of getting to know each other well and exploring all our options for collaboration.
I’m all ears if anyone wants to chat to us!
Do you have hobbies? What are they? Is it important to take “time off” and focus on other things such as friends, family, hobbies etc.?
I think as a business owner you never completely switch your business head off, so it’s extremely important to maintain a healthy social and family life.
It also keeps you in touch with the real world, and avoids burn out.
I know how I feel when I’ve done a really heavy week with too many office hours, I start losing my mojo and my energy and focus starts to fade.
To counterbalance the feeling I might go out and party a bit too hard or go on a crazy shopping spree!
What is the scariest thing that happened to you while being an entrepreneur (that you can share)? How did you overcome it? What did you learn?
Never take your eye off the accounts! It happened to me quite recently when I was so focused with helping my franchisees grow their own businesses, I didn’t prioritize the status of my own business affairs and had failed to invoice some of our large nursery school clients.
I have since added a fixed accounts session into the office calendar - for first thing Monday and Friday morning.
This means, invoices are raised on time and bills are entered and paid.
Seeing gaping holes in our accounts system was a huge wake up call for me, however much energy you are ploughing into others you must plough your own fields first!
Know your numbers - it’s the most fundamental part of any business.
What are some pros and cons of having (OR not having) entrepreneurial parents?
My parents were the dynamo that inspired me to strive for a very different adult life to them.
The story was always about not having enough money and all the things we couldn’t afford. This drove me insane with frustration as I was convinced there was a better and easier way to live, even as a young child.
I’ve stopped being frustrated with them and instead I’m grateful to them for showing me exactly how I don’t want to live my life.