Latest / The Women Behind the WOW / Elisha Martin: Building a Thriving Baby Sensory Community in Aberdeen South
Transcript
- Lee Whitwell: Hello, Elisha I am very excited that I'm meeting you for the very first time. You've agreed to come on screen and speak to me. So before we get into it, can you tell everyone who you are, where you are in the country, what WoW program you run? And if there Elisha Martin: Okay. Lee Whitwell: is a customer out there that's never been to Baby Sensory, what is it? what could they expect to see if they came along to one of your classes? Elisha Martin: Okay. Hi, I'm Elisha Lee Whitwell: Bye. Elisha Martin: I I live up in Aberdeen in Scotland and I run Baby Sensory Aberdeen South. and I've been doing it for about five years now, going into my sixth year. and if someone walked into my business, I think they would they would walk in and expect to hear this lovely outgoing person because I'm not quiet at all. And I think a warm welcome. And they would see loads of mums chatting, which is what I love. they would see a class full of babies that cry and sleep, and they would feel welcomed and supported through the door and to some exciting things, like loads of things that I would teach, also me bouncing around. I just have loads of fun with it and there's lots of information that I give to my mums. I just create an environment where my mums feel supported. I think that's what you would find if you came into my class for the very first time. I don't make smiley face. Lee Whitwell: Amazing. Yay. So how did you get into this world? Elisha Martin: But into this world I came from my mom. But into this Baby Sensory world, I mean it was a wild one. I had my youngest in COVID and I was working for another company and we got made redundant because of COVID and all of that, and I was pregnant. and I was like, I don't really know what I'm gonna do with my life. I don't know what I'm gonna do. and I think, well, baby Sensory found me. I walked Lee Whitwell: Well. Elisha Martin: into a baby Sensory class with Freya, my youngest, not knowing, had my mask on. We were two meters apart, scared, nervous, as you do. And I sat down in the class, and it was Lisa Melrose who actually takes she owns Dundee, Baby Sensory Dundee. and she also had Aberdeen South. And we were doing classes, and I was like, this is amazing. I mean, even though we had masks on, we were all like two meters apart, so didn't have the the the the what we do now in class. still sitting there in awe and gone, this is something I could do. But I was like, no, I don't know. So I sat and did classes and about three weeks later she mentioned that she was selling the business and you know she wanted to be closer to home. And I thought in my head I was like, maybe this is something I could do. Maybe I could do this. And I ummed and arred ummed and arred and I like, mmm, I don't know. No, forget about it. Cause you don't get nervous. Forget Lee Whitwell: Yeah. Elisha Martin: about it. and so what I did was went home forgot about it. About a month later, she was like, Hi, the business is still for sale. And I thought, you know what? I'm gonna I'm just gonna speak to her. So I went, spoke to L Alisa and then I was like, what does this all entail? And she was like, told me, you know, the ins and outs of baby Sensory and stuff. And I was like, okay, let me go and have a discussion with my husband. So I went home, spoke to my hubby and I was like, I don't know. And he was like, Do you think you could do this? And I was like, I think I can. I really think this is something Like I I love people, I love to be around people, I love to meet people, I love to to talk and I love to just have fun. Lee Whitwell: Ha ha ha. Elisha Martin: Like I really love having fun. I'm like a big kid. so I said to him, I was like, I think I could. And he's like, Okay, let's have a meeting and let's go from there. So we had a meeting and I was like, Okay, let's do it. And within two months, I bought the business and that was five and a half years ago. And I did my very, very first class on the tenth of May 2021. shaking like you want like I was shaking like a leaf. Again, we had masks on, two meters apart. I had ten moms looking at me and I was like, Okay, so I've got this, I've got this. Yeah, it was COVID time, so it's Lee Whitwell: So this is still COVID times. Wow. Elisha Martin: like the craziest, you know, and I I remember walking to my baby Sensory class with Frava, my youngest, and going, Look at all these first time moms. They they don't have the support that you would normally and you know, and they're desperate to be with other people and to talk and to form, you know, network and support network. And they they couldn't because we were like separated. You had to be like two minutes and you had to try and also talk with the mask on and it y you c you can communicate really well and it was like there was no forms of bonding with other moms. And I thought, well, if I'm gonna take this on, I want to create an environment where my moms walk through the door and be like, I feel supported. I feel like I found my tribe. And I and I think that's what I've well, I know that's what I've created in my classes because that's what my mums tell me. So yeah. I mean tip my own horn then. But yeah. I mean I know Lee Whitwell: Twitch it away. Elisha Martin: it's just it's it's crazy to think like five and a half years. And I mean when I walked I started the business with 10 classes with 10 mums. I now run 12 classes with 20 mums in all my classes and So it's expanded and I my main goal is to get to know every single mum, to get to know their babies, and to treat them like they're an extension of my family. And that's what I always say to them when they come in and it's like, Welcome to my extended family because I want them to feel like it's not just a baby class, like they heard, like they supported and they they feel like it's okay. It's okay to not be okay, you know, but to come to my class And have that hour with your baby and to bond with your baby, you know, leaving feeling, Okay, I could do this. I've got I can do this, you know? And that to me is what I do, what I do. Lee Whitwell: I've met a lot of people over the years about coming into the business and when I meet someone that, says they can really see themselves doing it, I want to be there. I want to be that person that creates this community and environment you said about being heard, that's what baby Sensory is all about, having that person at the front that really cares, Elisha Martin: A hundred percent. Yeah. Yeah, I just I just there's so many mums and they and they think they're alone and I just don't want them to feel like that. I want them and my husband says the same thing, he's like, Yeah, but I I put a lot of my heart and my emotions and my I want to just be like, it's okay. Do you know? If I have to give you an extra cuddle, it's okay. And if you cry in my class, it's okay. You know, I'll give you the tissue. And I always say to them, You you've got my mobile number. If there's anything I can do or support you, you let me know. Because it's it doesn't just stop at my class. It doesn't just stop at that once that hour stops. You know, I want you to feel you supported through this whole thing because you are. No, how however long you're with me. If you're with me for only for five weeks, or if you're with me until they're 13 months old, I want you to know. That I'm celebrating your baby's milestones as much as you're celebrating. I want you to know that, you know, it's there. And I think that's why my classes are are are, you know, busy and and my I've got moms that come to my I had a mom this week, again, toot my own horn of it. I had a mum say to me this class, she was like, I was re she's first day in my class this week and she said, I was recommended your class by like a health visitor. And I was like, Whoa, my goodness, that's like a huge thing. You know, that's like Lee Whitwell: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Elisha Martin: Massive and she was like, Yeah. And then another mum like chirped in. She goes, Yeah, I got told the same thing. And then a friend of mine said, She described your class as the Royal Royces of Baby classes. And I was like, I was like, you guys are gonna make me cry. I was like, this is amazing. I was like, but that's it's not about that. It's not what I you know, it's not about all the bells and whistles. It's that a mum can walk in for an hour and feel like she's okay. She's okay. I've got you, you know. And while I've got you, I'm going to teach you how we're going to play with your baby. I'm going to teach you how to, you know, help with your baby's development. I'm going to teach you that it's okay to have bad days, but it's even better when you have good days, you know? And it's sometimes this you're going to go through all these ups and downs, but it's okay. You know, and that's yeah, that's my story. Lee Whitwell: Yeah. I think coming into this business, you've got baby Sensory programme, you've got everything. You've got the the the lesson plans, you've got the what to say, the how to say, you've got the equipment, you've got the the science behind it, you've got the experts, the research, et cetera, et cetera, but the Elisha Martin: Yeah. Lee Whitwell: person at the front. is what makes it different. The person at the front is the one that brings it all alive and and and makes it real, isn't it? Elisha Martin: Yeah, and I think I also bring what I was at as a mum. I bring that into it. Like I always tell them stories about my kids. I'm like, yeah, don't worry. My kids were refluxy. I had to change of clothes in my my bag because they would spew at me all the time, or you know, they didn't sleep at all. My kids didn't sleep. So I hear you. Or things like I w this week we were doing ideas of development and we had the photo cube and Freya, my youngest, had a photo cube and I have pictures of all my families on it. I mean it looks like it's been played with because it has, because Freya played with it all the time. And I was telling them the story about how my parents live in South Africa. Like I I they didn't really see or meet Freya and how we were playing how she played with this cube and I would explain to her who it was and you know, the family members and Talk to them about that. And I said it was only until she was two years old when my mom first came over to meet Freya, because she was allowed in the country after the COVID, that Freya ran into her room, grabbed the cube, and was like, Lee Whitwell: Yeah. Elisha Martin: this is new now! And I was like, Yes! I was like, I so for me as a parent, I was like, I've taught you something. This is amazing. And I was like, so I I try and put what I go through as a mom into my classes so that I can relate to them. And just so, you know. It's it's it's that's what it's about. And so I couldn't agree more. It's about who's in sitting in front of you. It's not just a job for me. It's not me just sitting there going, it's about me connecting with people and and and and that and teaching and and showing them like this is how it is, because when you get handed this gorgeous little baby, you don't know what to do. Like how do I play with this baby? Lee Whitwell: Yeah. Elisha Martin: You know? Lee Whitwell: So did you ever imagine working with families and babies? Elisha Martin: No, no. my mum still thinks this is hilarious. She the fact that I've had two kids and I and I run a business for babies, she thinks it's hilarious because she was like babies were petrified of you. I was like, I know. They used to scream when they used to come towards me and I'll be like, No, don't bring a baby to me and then you know, and now I'm sitting on the floor and the bait and I'm getting involved with the babies and the babies come crawling to me and the mums are like, They love you and I'm like, I know. Well my mom thinks it's a joke. She's like, You've got two girls, you don't even want kids. Now look at you. That's like I know. And I love what I do. Lee Whitwell: Life changes. It changes. It changes us when we have these little things. Elisha Martin: It's insane. It's absolutely insane. But I love it. I love it. And it's it's the amazing thing for me, because I feel like babies are the biggest critics. Because they either like you or they don't. That's it. Like you either have passed the test or you haven't passed the test. They're like, like they're like, mm-mm, no, I'm not too sure about that person. Or they're like, yeah, hello. And they give it the biggest smile. And so that's why when my babies walk in the class, I I always it's it's weird, but I always direct. when I'm talking, although I'm talking to Mum, I'm also talking to baby. So I always look at the babies in their face you know their eyes and I'll smile at them and talk to them. And then I'll talk to Mum as well because they're just as much part of my class as Mum is. And if babies are settled and calmed and chilled, then Mum will be calm and chilled and settled. And especially if when they walk into my class for the first time and they got all this like anxiety and stress because I don't know anybody. Where do I sit? Where do I put my bag? Do I do I do I take my Pramdo to take my Pra? You know, like what do I do? what happens if my baby gets sick? Or what happens if they cry? my goodness, while they cry. I don't know, they have I'm not at a you know, all these things run through their minds and I can see it straight away. So as soon as I can settle the baby, then I know Mum will calm down and she'll be chilled and she'll be relaxed and anxiety will d fade. And that's Lee Whitwell: 'Cause that's that moment. If Elisha Martin: Mm-hmm. Lee Whitwell: you don't get it right, that person could quite easily just walk and go out because it's too much. if that person at the front who's leading that class doesn't notice those things if they've come in late. there's a moment where they're sat in that car thinking, do I go in or don't I go in? Elisha Martin: Yeah. that have said to me, I I was in the car park and I just turned and went back home and I'm like, I get it. I totally a hundred percent get it. But next week, let's come in. Come meet me. Come come come with meet me. And then, you know, and then I I almost kind of got my motherly instinct there. And I'm like, come on, you come sit next to me, you know, and we'll we'll we'll do you know I've Lee Whitwell: Yeah. Elisha Martin: been there. I had Postnatal depression was my first, and it was the anxiety levels were just through the roof. And I I just remember being paranoid about everything. And I'm this is the worst mother. I couldn't feed her very well. And I had post calms, I had pre clampsia postclampsia as well. So I was just couldn't bond with her, and it and at that stage, I mean Amelia's now away to be 11, and that wasn't really like nobody really talked about it. I now noticed. I know I now know what it was n with when I had Freya. Like I could identify what it was and how baby yeah, baby blues. I was so, you know, that and then Amelia got broncholitis, so she was in high dependency awards. We almost lost her. So then I my anxiety was that was it. No one was allowed to hold baby. I wasn't going anywhere. And like for six you know, I had a six weeks old and that was like like even pe even my husband I was like, mm-hmm no, mm-hmm. Do you mean well hold her? Make sure you hold her neck, like that kind of stuff. So I can totally sympathise with them and relate to what my mums are going through in my class. And because it is it is scary. Especially when you like you say, when you come late and then everyone else turns and looks at you and you're like, Hi and you know, I'm like, Come on, Lee Whitwell: Yeah. Yeah. And Elisha Martin: sit by me. Lee Whitwell: when I started Baby Sensory a long time ago. and I'm a very confident person and I can talk to anyone, but we had moved and I had no friends And I can remember going to babysensory class where I was desperate for friends and baby Sensory wasn't going somewhere where I had to network I was being told what to do that was perfect for me and then we went Elisha Martin: Mm-hmm. Lee Whitwell: over to the EPA and it was a weird feeling and then Lynn and Howard both of them they introduced me straight away to another parent phew I've got a friend. Elisha Martin: Yeah. Yeah. Lee Whitwell: yeah. So it doesn't matter if Elisha Martin: Watching those connections, like when I because I I I like to get involved, but then I can't step back. So I'll do the introduction and then I move away. And I slowly like slink back, and I'm like, and I watch those connections happen, and you can almost see like the the the the smiles and and the so hold your baby, and yeah, I know I didn't have sleep that night. my goodness, or why don't you try this? Or why don't you try? And I I just love it, I love watching it. I still have moms. that are coming back for like maybe their baby number two, maybe three and they're like, I'm still friends with my you know, the first one from your class and I'm like, that's amazing Do you know? That just makes my heart so happy. Lee Whitwell: So going back to when this opportunity came up and you went Elisha Martin: Mm-hmm. Lee Whitwell: for it, what business experience had had you had before doing this? Elisha Martin: as in running my own business Lee Whitwell: Mm-hmm. huh. Elisha Martin: Zero. I mean I manage teams and stuff. I've had managed teams, so I kind of had that idea of like running that but running my own business. Absolutely no. No experience. Lee Whitwell: And did it did it scare you or did it excite you or you just didn't think about it at that point? Elisha Martin: It petrified me because I put I felt like I put I took a risk. Like I I was like, this is a big risk for my family and for me. And so I was like, I have to make this work. but I was scared because I was like, I kinda don't know anything. And you know when you look when you when you d all this like legal like chat and all business talk and I'm like, my goodness, I d I d mm don't know what I'm talking about. Do you know? I could be quite happy just sitting in my classes and and doing classes. Somebody else could be doing all the other men kind of stuff and be happy. But I think I've grown as a person because of it. You know, eve I've I've learned things that I've made mistakes. Obviously you make mistakes, but I I've grown and I've learnt and I think now I'm like quite I'm very happy. For me now at the moment. But yeah. It scared me. It excited me. 'Cause it was a new adventure, wasn't it? It was something totally out of my comfort zone. it put me in that kind of situation where I was like, Right, you can either make this work or it's or you can make this fail. And I I think it made it work. Well I Lee Whitwell: So what what have you found difficult? Or surprised you? Elisha Martin: What's a lot of things but how how emotionally draining it can be? besides the admin side of things and dealing with people because there are people that, you know, how how emotionally draining and how you you try not to take everyone's woes home with you, but you can't stop thinking about that mum that cried in your class and is she okay? You know, or that person that says a comment about your classes on social media. Like and they don't even know who you are. And you think I put my whole heart and soul into my class and you've come to one class and you don't really know what it is about because you've just judged it on something, or it's out of your control. I think I learned very quickly to grow a thick skin and because you're not everybody's cup of tea. I am not and I know that now. and I did take I'd said in the beginning took it really personally. when mums were like, this is not really for me and then would leave the class and a as in like two classes often be This is not for me. it took a lot for me to realise that it's not about me, it's about they've realised that they can't identify with me and we can't, you know, it's my that my class is not for them and that's okay. It doesn't mean that I'm a bad person or that I'm not doing a good enough job. It just means that we don't we don't work together and that's okay. I think that was the biggest surprise and biggest shock for me. yeah, emotional emotional. Lee Whitwell: I think because this isn't this is you're not employed, this is your business, and you Elisha Martin: Yeah. Yeah. Lee Whitwell: care. And when you care about something so much, it does, it hurts little things, Elisha Martin: it's only happened one or twice and then it was in the beginning of when I first started and it but I just remember coming home and thinking thinking it through and then thinking of that person and what did I do wrong? or thinking through like every conversation I had with that person, any interaction, you know, and it it got it it really gets to you. Like it re like you say, this is your baby. This this business is your baby and you you put your reputation on online as well. So I think to have someone to do that, you're like, oof. So that for me was the biggest shock because you just think everyone will just love, you'll come into you, you know. it's a bit of a a tough one as well. But I mean the only other thing that I think shocked me was learning tax. Tax 'cause it's clueless. Pretty clueless. Like one of that gifts the you know, the admin side of things, the accountancy side of things. I was like, What am I doing? How am I doing this right? But yeah, no. Lee Whitwell: Well yeah, well I mean gosh, when I started it was on Excel spreadsheets and now, we've got all these amazing accountancy packages. Dates, times and numbers are not my thing. Elisha Martin: Hm. Lee Whitwell: but that's why we have accountants and we Elisha Martin: Yeah. Lee Whitwell: have packages and we have people around us that can help us in the stuff that we can't do. Elisha Martin: Hundred percent. That's that's that's also what I learned. If that if your way to start your business, get an accountant. Lee Whitwell: Yes. Do you do everything on your own or have you got people doing different things? Elisha Martin: The only thing I've got is an accountant that deals with that 'cause I was like, this is like a mindfield and I really can't wrap my brain around it. And I'm a mum w to two small kids. and I've got a very hectic like family life as well. So I was like, I can't worry about that as well. Otherwise everything else is me, my social medias, myself, my answering emails and all of that kind of stuff. And that also took a really long time to work life and work life balance. Like I was trying to, you know I was I was always like, I'll I'll reply a reply because I wanted to make sure that my customers felt, you know, that they weren't left on the lurch. But I've now come around and be like, Look, definitely you won't hear from me on a Sunday. That's my time with my family. unless it's an emergency you will. but you might get an email at one in the morning because I'm a mum and my kids in bed and they'll be doing some admin. but please do not respond. It's just me sending a one AM email so you can read it at your two AM feed. so things like that, like it was it was tough as well, learning to do to to manage that. Lee Whitwell: so you're you're part of Scotland team because it is all Elisha Martin: Yes. Lee Whitwell: kind of almost all one big team, isn't it? So Elisha Martin: Mm-hmm. Lee Whitwell: Gail and Lynn are your franchisors. So Elisha Martin: Yep. Lee Whitwell: how often do you get to speak to them or Elisha Martin: I'm well we talk to them pretty much all the time. We've got like a WhatsApp group that we talk to and I've also got them on on WhatsApp, but they come up and see my classes. they're great. They're five. Like they've always been there. I had when I took over the business from L Lisa, Lisa kind of mentored me for the first six months. So she they left Lisa to do that for me, which was fab. So I got a great introduction into it and like had her there So it was good to have Lisa there, but like asking the the stupid things like What do I do with this one? Or what do I do, you know, like with this activity? Like stuff you don't really need to bother them a as much about. So, but they've always been there. They're supportive of me as well. They think I'm crazy half the time, but it's what it is. Lee Whitwell: I guess that's a nice thing about taking on. An already existing business is that you do get that, you've got that crossover, that nice smooth crossover. you're not having to go out and find venues, although you can change your venues and change your days Elisha Martin: Yeah. Lee Whitwell: all the foundation stuff is there. You've got a customer base. Obviously, you need to go in and you need to keep that customer base. but that's that's the benefits of it, isn't it? Then that that support. Elisha Martin: Correct. Mm-hmm. Yeah, and it's almost having someone good having someone there to hold your hand a bit. 'Cause it is it's scary and daunting. And when you're learning all these lesson plans as well, to try and maintain all of that information in your head is a lot, like in the beginning and you're you're like overwhelmed you're overwhelmed by a lot of things that are happening. But I think it's it was good and and it's it's lovely to have the Franchisor all as as your backup as well and to be there to answer all the questions that you do. I mean like Lynn, what about this? Lynn Gail They're Lee Whitwell: Okay. Elisha Martin: like, Alicia, stop asking me. Ten AM on a Sunday. Leave Lee Whitwell: Yeah. Elisha Martin: me alone. Sorry. Lee Whitwell: You remember your first day? Elisha Martin: Yes, very, very, very much remember much. It's it was the tenth of May twenty twenty one. Beatrice sent to Newton Hill, ten thirty class, and I was sat up against the wall and I had all these ten pairs of eyes looking at me. Well twenty because including the babies like looking at me and my mask on and I was like, my god What have I done? Why am I doing this? This is awful. and then be like, Right, so hello everyone, welcome to Baby Sensory. Like and try to do the whole class with your mask on and be like say hello and all that kind of stuff. I'll never forget that feeling, ever, ever. Lee Whitwell: owning a business, being part of Baby Sensory, is there anything you think has changed you? Elisha Martin: that's a that's a very very question. I think I've grown as a person. I think I've I've calmed down the life believe it or not. I think wow more compassionate. I think I definitely got more compassion for mums and understanding. I think even when you're before a mum or when you become first time a mom, there's a lot of judgments and stuff. Whereas now, like everyone's got a tough day. Everyone's going through something. And I think that's changed me in the a sense of being like, It's okay, like it's okay. You know, you're safe. It's okay. and being more empathetic on people. Lee Whitwell: Yeah, yeah, nice. Elisha Martin: And being patient. Maybe patience. Maybe I got more patience. I think that was with my kids particularly. Lee Whitwell: so if someone is watching this and thinking Elisha Martin: Mm-hmm. Lee Whitwell: sitting in the class possibly or not even been to classes before but thinking thinking this could possibly be something that they could do, what would you say to them? Elisha Martin: Go for it. I'd say go for it. What do you got to lose, really? You know, it's an amazing, it's an amazing company to be part of. it's an amazing thing to be able to be. I always see it as like the the lesson plans are phenomenal. Like the information is amazing. What what we deliver in a class is incredible, but being there and helping and being there as a support for mums and parents, you know, dads as well, is a is so much better. Like the feeling you get, like just being like, you know, I'm here. Like let's let's learn. Let's learn about this awesome stuff. And let's have fun while we're doing it. And I would say go for it. Why not? Do it. You know? and if it doesn't work out, it's okay. You've learned something new. You've tried it. and you'll go find what what what makes you happy and I think also what what what will make you complete. Lee Whitwell: Amazing. Thank you. Thank Elisha Martin: You're welcome. Lee Whitwell: you. Thank you for chatting with me today. Elisha Martin: You there. Lee Whitwell: I really appreciate it. Thank you very