Case Study : Go Kart Party & Raring2go! - Andy & Alison Nelson

Andy & Alison Nelson live in Fishburn and have 2 children, Sam 8 and Robyn 4. They met while working in the New Product Development Dept at Electrolux Cookers in Spennymoor 19 years ago. Alison says “It was my first proper job after leaving university – I was there for 3 months writing a cook book and Andrew was an engineer developing the new cookers.”

Alison now publishes two Raring2go! magazines, a Stockton edition and a new edition for the Darlington and Sedgefield area, whilst Andy has just launched the Go Kart Party franchise in County Durham.

Andy (43) joined Electrolux as an apprentice straight from school at 15 working his way up to Project Manager before leaving at the end of July. Andy said “The redundancy has given me the opportunity to reassess my working life and priorities - after 30 years in a factory it was time for a change – now my life is more varied, I work flexibly and I see more of my family. Having helped Alison establish her Raring2go! franchise business a year earlier opened my eyes to the opportunities of working for yourself.”

Launched in August this year the Go-Kart Party business gives kids aged from 4-9 their first real driving experience in safe battery powered go-karts. The eye catching red and yellow go karts and the 15x11m inflatable track are fully portable and ideal for use indoors or outdoors. They are available for children’s parties, shows, fairs, fundraising and corporate promotional events.

Andy says “Following Lewis Hamilton’s recent Formula 1 victory kids are really interested in go karts as that was how he started – they all think they are racing drivers! The inflatable mini grand prix circuit has an arch and we really maximise the Formula 1 “feel” with a chequered flag and trophies – its great fun!”

Alison (41) has also been through the redundancy experience having worked for Sanyo in Newton Aycliffe for 10 years before the factory closed. Commenting on her Raring2go! success, Alison said “I decided to invest my redundancy money in myself and in 2007 started Raring2go! in Stockton on Tees – a free comprehensive local guide to what’s on and where to go for parents with children aged 0-10.

I was the Raring2go! pioneer in the NE, so it was tough establishing a new brand and a new business. Two years later the business is well established and we have just launched a new Raring2go! magazine to cover Darlington, Richmond and the Sedgefield areas. Over 30,000 free copies are now distributed quarterly directly to parents through schools, nurseries, libraries and parent and child groups.

It’s hard for parents to find out what’s going on in the area so Raring2go! is unique because it is free and is delivered directly into parents’ hands. The response from parents and advertisers has been very positive – they now call and email to tell me about events and good child friendly places to visit.”

To help us start up we received advice and financial support from the local business development experts at Be Franchising, Be Enterprising Emerge and Sedgefield Borough Council who have been very helpful, I would recommend anyone considering setting up their own business to talk to these people.”

Be Enterprising Emerge Business Start Up Advisor, Paul Appleton, said “Both Alison and Andrew have successfully re-launched their careers by going into self employment via the franchising and business to business route.  They are both positive examples of what can be achieved by working for yourself.”

Alison added “On a personal note, as we have two children aged 4 and 8, we need flexibility. Raring2go! and Go Kart Party have been ideal for us because we can plan our time around the children and often work from home. Yes, it's hard work and sometimes long hours but it's interesting. It is enjoyable working together – however we do need our own space and have separate desks!

The businesses have synergy and work well together – as parents we were already familiar with a lot of family events and activities for children. They have a great time visiting and trying out new places and things to do! They just think it's cool driving round in Dad’s bright red Go Kart Party van!”

For more information about Go-Kart Party or Raring2go! just email Andy at
anelson@go-kartparty.co.uk or Alison at stocktonontees@raring2go.co.uk or call on either 01740 628150 or 07757 326534.