– By Lucy Shrimpton
As I reflect on the past 11 years of working in the world of sleep consulting, it’s been an incredible journey—from starting as a solo consultant to training hundreds of women across the globe. I’ve spent years not only learning the science of sleep but also teaching it to others through our certification programs. Yet, something wasn’t sitting right after those early years of providing certification.
For seven years, I ran a certification program, teaching passionate individuals the skills and knowledge to help parents and children overcome sleep challenges. While many of my graduates were enthusiastic, I noticed that not as many were using their newfound expertise in a sustainable, consistent way. Those who were working with families often struggled to keep their businesses going long-term. It was disheartening to see such potential, but not the impact I had envisioned. The truth was, I could see the gaps—business knowledge, ongoing mentorship, and support.
As a business mentor myself, I understood the difficulties. Even with my own unstoppable drive and resilience, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the constant guidance, coaching, and learning I’ve received along the way. The fact is, no one can build a thriving, sustainable business on their own, especially in the highly personal world of sleep consulting.
Back in 2015, I first considered franchising as a solution, but at the time, I wasn’t ready. It took a few more years to grow, refine, and really understand how I wanted to evolve the business. But the decision to franchise eventually became crystal clear to me: it was the only way to ensure our graduates could truly use their skills and create thriving businesses that make a difference in families’ lives.
The power of the franchise model is immense. As a franchise, we stand together, united under one brand with a shared vision and mission. It’s not just about being experts in sleep consulting—it’s about amplifying our voice, refining our message, and making sure we reach the right audience. One of the things I love most about the franchise model is the integrity it’s built upon. When someone buys a franchise, it’s not a casual decision—it’s a long-term commitment. It’s like entering a marriage contract, where both parties are committed to working together for several years to build something meaningful. This model isn’t for those who want to dabble; it’s for people who are ready to dive in fully, invest in themselves, and create real impact.
The franchise process itself is very different from offering an online course. There’s no “click and buy” here. We carefully take prospects through a detailed discovery process, ensuring that joining our franchise is the right decision for them, financially and personally. The last thing I want is for someone to feel overwhelmed or misaligned with the commitment. Once they become a franchisee, we’re there to support them every step of the way. It’s a hands-on relationship, where we provide business training, coaching, marketing resources, and tools to help them succeed.
Becoming a franchisor is no small task, and it’s certainly more demanding than being a course provider. But I’ve never felt more aligned with the business than I do now. This journey culminated in an incredible recognition last Friday—I was honored to win the EWIF New Woman Franchisor of the Year award. This award feels like the culmination of years of dedicated effort, and it’s a testament to the strength of our franchise model and the impact we’re making together.
The franchise community is filled with incredible people who share the same ethos—helping each other succeed. There’s a strong sense of unity, and everyone I’ve met in franchising is committed to building others up and working for the greater good. That’s why I love this model so much. It’s about collaboration, support, and creating something bigger than ourselves.
Winning this award is an amazing milestone, but more importantly, it represents the lives we’re transforming through the power of sleep and wellbeing. Together, we’re building brighter futures for children and families. And that’s what this journey is all about—standing together, amplifying our message, and making a lasting impact.
If you’re interested in learning more about The Sleep Nanny® franchise, you can request a brochure here: https://www.sleepnanny.net/brochure-request
