Kat Hughes from JUMP! Bundall nominated for Franchise Woman of the Year

We are just so proud of Kat Hughes from JUMP! Swim Schools Bundall. Her success in business is providing a positive influence on the growth of women across our rapidly-expanding international swim school franchise network.

Kat Hughes joins a standout field of female entrepreneurs to compete for the ultimate prize of being named 2017 Australian Franchise Woman of the Year. Her nomination celebrates her ability to marry the demanding and often conflicting roles of career woman, partner and mother of two babies.

She opened JUMP! Swim Schools Bundall in April 2015 with her two-week-old baby Travis and his 1-year-old sister Hollie on the job with her from day one. In just two short years her swim school has grown to over 400 students, and is on track to reaching its full capacity of 500 little swimmers in 2017.

The swimming family she has nurtured over the last two years has inspired and influenced swimming teachers and new franchisees to achieve the very worthwhile life goal of owning a great business that has a positive impact on the community. In 2016, JUMP! Bundall was nominated for AUSTSWIM Swim Centre of the Year.

“I started this business in 2015 with zero customers and no marketing budget, heavily pregnant with my second child and a toddler.

“In just two short years my swim school has grown to over 400 students, and is on track to reaching its full capacity of 500 little swimmers in 2017.

“I hope that I can inspire other women through my actions, and give them the courage to pursue their business ambitions while raising their families. To be bold and believe in yourself, and accept temporary sacrifice for long-term gain that will inspire your children,” said Kat.

When asked what her driving motivation was, she said:

“Increasing swimming participation and skill levels within my community and educating Mums and Dads on why learning to swim at a young age is a life-saving skill.

“By improving the learning ability of our children and improving their confidence, we can get children confident in saving themselves and lower drowning statistics.”

“Every child should have the chance to learn how to swim. I am privileged to teach children living with Asperger’s syndrome, autism, ADD and ADHD, low body tone and other physical and mental challenges. Seeing small miracles in the pool every day is one of the most rewarding aspects of running a JUMP! Swim School.