From High Skies to High Fives: The Inspiring Journey of Sonia Balatti in Wollongong

Sonia Balatti has taken a journey that feels made for a movie title, from high skies to high fives, and Wollongong has been cheering her on ever since.

After ten years as an international flight attendant for Qantas Long Haul, Sonia had seen plenty of the world. Airports, time zones, and international travel were all part of daily life. Then family life reshaped the plan in the best possible way. With three young children and a growing desire for a schedule that matched school terms, Sonia started looking for something that could bring energy, purpose, and flexibility together.

In 2012, that next chapter appeared in a wonderfully ordinary moment. Sonia spotted an advertisement in a parenting magazine while enjoying a coffee at a play centre. The headline read: "Ready Steady Go Kids - own your own franchisee." That one small moment sparked one very big change. With her Bachelor of Primary Education and her genuine love of children, movement, and sport, the fit felt exciting from the start.

Why Ready Steady Go Kids Was the Right Fit for Wollongong

Sonia did not simply want a new job. She wanted a business that worked for family life and brought something valuable to the local community.

Three key factors made the opportunity stand out. Professional independence was a huge one, because Sonia had long wanted to run her own business and the support of an established franchise network made that dream feel exciting, practical, and within reach. Flexibility was another major draw, especially with children aged eight, six, and three at the time, because a school-term-based business model brought a rhythm that fit beautifully with family life. Community need sealed the deal, as Sonia could clearly see that the unique developmental program offered by Ready Steady Go Kids was not yet available in Wollongong, creating a wonderful chance to bring something fresh, valuable, and full of energy to local families.

What Makes the Program So Rewarding to Deliver

One of the things Sonia cares deeply about is helping children build confidence through movement. In a world where screens can sometimes steal the spotlight, she loves giving children the chance to jump, run, kick, throw, catch, and discover what their bodies can do.

The Ready Steady Go Kids multisport program introduces children to ten different sports, which means they are constantly trying new skills and staying engaged. It also helps develop a broad range of gross motor abilities instead of repeating the same patterns over and over. That variety keeps classes fresh, fun, and full of little wins.

And then there are the magic moments.

These are the moments Sonia remembers most. She loves seeing a child begin the term shy and unsure, only to light up later with a huge smile and a brand new sense of confidence. She treasures the proud little kangaroo jumps that feel as thrilling as Olympic performances, the first goals and catches that inspire delighted glances back to the grown-ups, and the excited arrivals at class that come with cheerful high fives and plenty of enthusiasm. For Sonia, those moments are the heart of the business. Watching a quiet child grow in confidence is not just rewarding. It is the kind of joy that stays with you long after the class ends.

How Support Helped Turn a Big Leap Into a Success Story

Like many first-time business owners, Sonia felt the weight of stepping into something new. Starting the business was one of the scariest things she has ever done, and she was completely out of her comfort zone with no prior business experience. Running a business was very different from working as an employee, and there was plenty to learn. Even with the struggles and ups and downs, she has loved every minute of it. The difference was that she did not have to figure it all out alone.

Ready Steady Go Kids Head Office provided strong support from the beginning, and that ongoing guidance has remained an important part of Sonia's success.

Support is provided through several channels and has played a big part in turning a daunting leap into a very happy success story. Regular digital communication through group chat platforms helps everyone stay connected, monthly consultative sessions with Danie our Franchisor provide guidance and clarity, and the Annual Conference brings franchisees together to share ideas, learn from one another, and enjoy the buzz of being part of a wider network. The result is a collaborative environment where franchisees and directors work together, share ideas generously, and help one another grow.

Reflecting on Sonia's impact, Danie O'Connor (Franchisor) shared:

"I am incredibly proud of Sonia and the way she has established the Ready Steady Go Kids brand in a regional territory. She is a powerhouse business owner who also brings so much joy to our network; she is always providing laughs and entertainment at our Annual Conferences."

The Woman Behind Wollongong

Sonia brings plenty of personality to her business, and that shines through both in class and beyond it.

Her family life remains a central part of who she is. She and her husband have three children, now aged twenty-three, twenty-one, and seventeen, and the desire to create a life that balanced work and family was one of the reasons this journey began. The business achieved exactly what she had hoped for by providing a great work life balance that allowed her to see her children in school activities and be home for every school holiday.

She also still loves travel, which is hardly surprising given her years in the air. During her time as an international flight attendant, she visited many destinations around the globe. That love of exploring has never gone away.

Then there is skiing. Sonia has loved it since childhood and has enjoyed ski trips across Australia, Italy, Switzerland, the United States of America, and New Zealand.

And tennis? That is a serious love story. Sonia has played since the age of ten, and one of her long-term goals is to attend all four Grand Slam tournaments. That is the sort of ambition that deserves a standing ovation and a very good seat near centre court.

What Sonia Would Tell Future Franchise Owners

Sonia's story shows that a career change can be both exciting and deeply practical. For anyone considering a Ready Steady Go Kids franchise, her experience offers a clear path forward. She shows the value of acting when the right opportunity appears, because waiting forever rarely makes a big decision feel easier.

She highlights how important it is to think carefully about lifestyle goals, especially when a school-term-based business can offer the kind of flexibility many families truly value. She also demonstrates the importance of researching an area well and identifying communities where the Ready Steady Go Kids program is not yet available, while connecting with Head Office early so the training, support, and systems in place can make the whole decision-making process feel far clearer and far more exciting. Owning a Ready Steady Go Kids franchise in Wollongong has given Sonia the chance to build a business that fits her life, serves her community, and fills her days with movement, laughter, and purpose. Seeing the business grow and become an integral part of the Wollongong community has also been incredibly fulfilling for her.

A Joy-Filled Next Chapter

Sonia Balatti's move from the aviation industry into Ready Steady Go Kids in Wollongong is a wonderful example of what can happen when timing, passion, and purpose line up. She swapped international cabins for community connection, and in doing so built a business that delivers both personal fulfilment and professional success.

It is a story filled with smart choices, energetic classes, happy children, and a business owner who still knows how to dream big, whether that means growing a local program, planning the next ski trip, or one day ticking off every Grand Slam tournament!