Two States, One Dream: The Gregorys' Interstate Comeback

Some franchise journeys come full circle. For Sarah and Blake Gregory, their return to Ready Steady Go Kids has been a reminder that when you find work that is meaningful, flexible and genuinely enjoyable, it can be difficult to stay away.

After 13 years in the Ready Steady Go Kids network, Sarah and Blake have returned to franchise ownership with the Bondi region in New South Wales after a short 12 month break. In Term 4, they will take another exciting step by taking over the Tingalpa region in Queensland and running it remotely.

Their journey has included coaching, business growth, family life, five regions, the sale of their remaining territories and, ultimately, the realisation that they missed Ready Steady Go Kids more than they expected.

From casual coach to franchise owner

Blake first became interested in Ready Steady Go Kids because he had always enjoyed sport and thought working with children would be fun. At the time, he was working casually as a Ready Steady Go Kids coach for Head Office in one of the few territories still operated directly by the organisation.

After nine months of coaching, Blake was already considering starting his own children’s sports business. Owning a Ready Steady Go Kids franchise felt like the perfect fit.

He understood the program from the inside. He had seen the impact of the classes on children and families, understood the coaching model and knew that the business offered the opportunity to combine his interest in sport with his enjoyment of working with children.

That first step began a 13-year journey that would see Blake and his wife Sarah grow into high-performing franchisees and, at one point, operate five regions across New South Wales.

Their success was not simply about having multiple territories. It came from their commitment to delivering a positive experience for children, families, coaches and centres, while building a business that worked for their own family as well.

Seeing children grow in confidence

For Blake and Sarah, one of the most rewarding parts of the Ready Steady Go Kids program is watching children progress over time.

They love seeing children develop their physical skills, build confidence and become more comfortable participating in a group environment. Some of the most memorable moments come when a shy child begins to join in, try something new and gradually discover what they can do.

“Seeing a shy kid transform and gain confidence through the program is really heartening,” Blake says.

Confidence is the biggest change they have noticed in the children who attend the program. They also regularly see children who initially struggle with balance and coordination make rapid progress.

A child who finds it difficult to jump, catch, balance or move through an activity at the beginning of a term can look completely different by the end. With encouragement and regular practice, children begin to trust their bodies and feel proud of their achievements.

These changes are often visible beyond the class as well. As children become more confident physically, they can become more willing to participate socially, try unfamiliar activities and take on new challenges.

A complete multisport program

Blake and Sarah believe Ready Steady Go Kids stands apart from other preschool options because it gives children exposure to a broad range of sports and physical skills in one program.

Rather than asking families to enrol their child in several different activities to support their development, the Ready Steady Go Kids program brings many important learning opportunities together. Each week, children can experience different sports, movements and challenges while building their gross motor skills in a fun and supportive environment.

Variety? Check. Fun? Check. Physical development? Check. Confidence? Check. Emotional development? Check.

It is this combination that makes the program so valuable for young children. They are not only learning how to kick, throw, catch, jump and balance. They are learning how to listen, take turns, try again, celebrate their achievements and participate as part of a group.

For parents, the program offers a practical way to support their child’s development without needing to coordinate multiple weekly activities. For children, it feels like fun.

Building a business around family life

Owning a Ready Steady Go Kids franchise has also had a significant impact on Sarah and Blake’s family life.

They have two daughters, and the flexibility offered by the business has helped them create a work-life balance that has been extremely important to them.

They have been able to build their wealth significantly without working more than 40 hours every week or sacrificing the family time they value.

The business has also given them the chance to develop skills in leadership, communication, marketing, administration and business strategy. Over the years, they have learned a great deal from running their regions and managing the many moving parts of a successful franchise.

That experience has given them confidence to take on their next challenge: operating a Queensland region while based in New South Wales.

A return they could not resist

After many years in the network, in 2025 Sarah and Blake made the decision to sell their two remaining regions. It was a significant change after building such a successful Ready Steady Go Kids journey.

What followed was only a 12-month break from the Ready Steady Go Kids network. During that time, they explored another franchise option in the fitness space, but it did not take long for them to realise how much they missed the business, the children, the families and the network.

Last year, they purchased the Bondi region from an existing franchisee and returned to franchise ownership. Even then, one region was not quite enough.

In Term 4, they will take over the Tingalpa region in Queensland and run it remotely from New South Wales. This is only the second time a franchisee in the network has operated a Ready Steady Go Kids franchise from another state.

It is an exciting development for Sarah and Blake, and a great example of how an established franchise model can support different business structures when the right systems, people and leadership are in place.

Their 13 years of experience, deep understanding of the program and knowledge of the network will be valuable as they guide the Tingalpa region from interstate.

Support from Head Office and the wider network

Sarah and Blake describe the support from Head Office as one of the most valuable parts of their Ready Steady Go Kids experience.

They appreciate that Danie is approachable and available to talk through strategies, troubleshoot challenges and help them work through decisions. Regular conversations have provided them with practical guidance throughout their journey.

The wider network has also been an important resource. With franchisees operating in different locations and facing a range of opportunities and challenges, there is a wealth of knowledge available across the organisation.

Having that network as a back-up resource provides reassurance, encouragement and plenty of ideas. It also reinforces the collaborative nature of Ready Steady Go Kids, where franchisees can learn from one another and share experiences.

Their advice to future franchisees

When asked what they would say to someone thinking about starting a Ready Steady Go Kids franchise, Sarah and Blake keep their response simple.

“Do it. It has quite literally been the best thing that has happened to us, aside from our wedding and kids.”

They also believe the franchise fee structure helps keep the risk low for new franchisees. Combined with the training, systems, ongoing support and established program, the model provides a strong foundation for someone who wants to build a business in children’s sport and physical development.

Their own experience demonstrates how the franchise can evolve over time. Blake began as a casual coach, progressed into franchise ownership, grew to operate multiple regions, sold their territories and then chose to return because the business meant so much to them.

Life beyond Ready Steady Go Kids

Outside the business, Sarah and Blake enjoy travelling with their family, particularly throughout South East Asia.

They also have an unusual family tradition. Everyone in the family loves durian, the famously strong-smelling fruit. In fact, they have even travelled specifically to enjoy it.

It is a fun detail that captures something about Sarah and Blake’s personality. They are curious, adventurous and willing to embrace experiences that other people might approach with caution.

That same enthusiasm is now returning to their Ready Steady Go Kids journey. With Bondi in New South Wales and Tingalpa in Queensland, they are once again building a business that combines sport, children, family flexibility and long-term opportunity.

“I was thrilled to welcome Sarah and Blake back to the Ready Steady Go Kids network. They are not only crucial leaders within our franchise network, but their communication with parents is nothing less than incredible. Across 13 years in the business, they have shown an outstanding commitment to quality, a genuine passion for children and sport, and a remarkable ability to balance business success with family life. They lift the network around them, set a wonderful standard for others to follow and bring an energy that inspires other franchisees. Sarah and Blake are the kind of people who make our network stronger simply by being part of it, and I am so excited to see them continue this next chapter with Bondi and Tingalpa.” added Danie O’Connor, Franchisor of Ready Steady Go Kids