From Corporate Cubicle to Colourful Courts: Briony Stevens' Ready Steady Go Kids Story

For Briony Stevens, the journey from corporate life to owning Ready Steady Go Kids across Glen Waverley, Springvale and Sandringham began with a colourful logo, a strong brand proposition and one simple thought: “This looks cool!”

What followed was a bold career change, a meaningful new direction and the creation of a business that brings energy, encouragement and movement to hundreds of young children across Melbourne’s south-east.

Today, Briony leads a thriving Ready Steady Go Kids community, supported by a passionate team of coaches and families who share her belief that children learn, grow and flourish when they are given the right encouragement.

A colourful first impression

Briony was first drawn to Ready Steady Go Kids because the brand immediately stood out.

“The colourful logo and the overall brand proposition caught my attention. I thought, ‘This looks cool!’”

That bright, energetic feeling was more than just a first impression. As Briony learned more about the program, she discovered a business model that combined sport, early childhood development, community connection and the opportunity to make a genuine difference.

The program’s focus on introducing children to a variety of sports in a fun and supportive environment appealed to her. It was active, positive and purposeful, with every class designed to help young children build confidence, coordination, social skills and a love of movement.

From corporate frustration to a healthier future

Briony’s decision to become a franchisee came at an important turning point in her career.

After her corporate role was made redundant and the experience was handled in a way that left her feeling disappointed, Briony decided it was time for a change. She was ready to move away from having a manager, sitting in an office every day and following a career path that no longer felt right for her.

She wanted something healthier for herself and healthier for the people around her.

That decision required courage. Leaving the security and familiarity of corporate employment to build a business is a significant step, but Briony knew she wanted her working life to have more purpose. She wanted to create something that supported children and families while also giving her the independence to shape her own future.

Ready Steady Go Kids gave her the opportunity to do exactly that.

The magic of watching children grow

For Briony, the most rewarding part of the business is seeing the development that takes place over time.

Some children arrive at their first class feeling unsure or overwhelmed. They may sit on the sidelines and watch while the other children participate. With encouragement from their parents, grandparents and coaches, they gradually begin to feel more comfortable.

Then comes a special moment.

A child who once watched from the edge of the class may suddenly run into the circle, join the group and sing the welcome song with everyone else. For Briony, these moments are a powerful reminder of the role Ready Steady Go Kids can play in a child’s early development.

Watching a shy child become more confident is not an overnight transformation. It happens through small steps, consistent encouragement and the feeling that they belong. Every high five, cheerful welcome and positive instruction helps children discover what they can do.

Briony knows that the confidence children build in class can support them well beyond the sporting environment.

When children learn to participate, have a go and feel proud of their progress, they are developing foundations that can help them through their school years and into life.

Celebrating persistence, not perfection

Confidence is one of the clearest changes Briony sees in the children who attend her classes. She also sees skill development and persistence grow from week to week.

A child may find a particular activity difficult at first. They may miss the ball, struggle with a movement or feel unsure about trying something new. However, when coaches create a positive environment, children learn that it is perfectly acceptable not to get everything right straight away.

They keep trying.

Eventually, the skill clicks. The child succeeds and the coaches and parents / grandparents celebrate with a huge cheer. These moments of achievement can be just as exciting and rewarding for the adults as they are for the children.

The goal is not to create pressure or competition. It is to help every child recognise their own progress and understand that effort matters.

This approach is reflected throughout our classes, where physical development is supported alongside confidence, communication and social learning.

More than a bag of balls

Briony believes Ready Steady Go Kids stands apart because of the care and preparation that goes into every session.

The coaches do not simply arrive at the start of class with a bag of balls and hope for the best. Time is dedicated to preparation, organisation and setting up the space so each activity can run smoothly.

That preparation helps create a welcoming and structured environment for children and their families.

Classes are led by two coaches and include a wide variety of sports, activities and our popular circuits. Our multi-sport approach helps children develop skills across their whole body. A soccer-only program, for example, naturally places greater emphasis on the legs, while tennis focuses more heavily on the arms and upper body. By experiencing a broad range of sports and movements, children develop strength, coordination, balance and physical skills throughout their entire body. They also become familiar with 10 different sports from a very young age, learning to recognise the equipment, understand basic skills and know how each sport is played. This early exposure can help children feel more confident when they encounter these sports later at school, giving them a valuable head start and a positive foundation for lifelong participation in physical activity.

They might kick, throw, catch, run, balance, jump and move in new ways, all while learning to listen, take turns and participate as part of a group. The variety keeps classes fresh and exciting, while the structured format gives children a sense of familiarity and security.

Building a business with freedom and purpose

Owning a Ready Steady Go Kids franchise has completely changed Briony’s life.

One of her biggest dreams was to build a meaningful business that also enabled her to travel. Today, she has an amazing team running her classes, giving her the freedom to travel when she wants while continuing to support the families and communities within her territory.

That flexibility did not happen by accident. It has come from hard work, strong systems, careful planning and the development of a trusted team.

Briony has built a business that can continue to provide excellent classes even when she is away, while she remains connected to the wider operation and the people who make it special.

Her story is a wonderful example of how franchise ownership can combine personal fulfilment with business growth. It has allowed Briony to create a working life that reflects her values, interests and goals.

A supportive network

Briony also speaks warmly about the support she has received from Head Office and the wider Ready Steady Go Kids network.

“Everyone is great, passionate and supportive. They are always available for a chat and to share ideas.”

For a franchisee building a business, having access to people who understand the brand, the industry and the day-to-day challenges can make a real difference. Ideas can be shared, questions can be answered and encouragement is available when it is needed.

The network is made up of people who care about children’s development and want to see each territory succeed in its own way.

Every community is different, so franchisees should focus on understanding their own families, venues and local opportunities rather than comparing their performance or results with other franchisees. Each territory has unique needs, and the right path for one community may not be the right path for another.

Briony’s advice for future franchisees

Briony’s advice to anyone considering a Ready Steady Go Kids franchise is enthusiastic and direct.

“Do it! But you need to work on it. In the first three years, you need to be all over your territory, getting to know your customers, venues and all the opportunities available.”

Her experience highlights the importance of being present and engaged, particularly during the early stages of building a franchise. Getting to know families, early learning centres, schools, venues and community contacts helps franchisees understand where their program can make the greatest impact.

It also creates strong relationships that can support the business for years to come.

A life filled with travel, learning and children

Outside Ready Steady Go Kids, Briony loves to travel. Her passion for travel has always been an important part of her life, and owning a business with a strong team has helped make that lifestyle possible.

She also loves cats and is currently studying to become a psychologist. Her interest in psychology connects closely with the work she does every week.

Understanding children’s development, recognising how families communicate and appreciating the experiences of parents and grandparents can all help create stronger connections within a class.

Briony does not have children of her own, but she has a wonderfully warm way of describing the children in her program.

She says it feels like having hundreds of her own children for a short amount of time each week.

That affection, combined with her energy, organisation and commitment, shines through in the classes she delivers across Glen Waverley, Springvale and Sandringham.

Briony’s journey is a reminder that a difficult career change can lead to an exciting new chapter. With courage, preparation and a clear sense of purpose, she has created a business that is healthy, active and meaningful for herself, her team and the many children who walk through the doors each week.

Ready Steady Go Kids is proud to celebrate franchisees like Briony, whose dedication helps children discover confidence, persistence and the joy of being active.

Danie O'Connor, Franchisor adds “Briony has made such a bold and inspiring leap from corporate life into a business filled with colour, energy and purpose. Her warmth with the children, her strong organisational skills and her commitment to building an outstanding team have made a wonderful impact across her regions. She has created something truly meaningful, and I am so proud of everything she continues to achieve.”