Mumpreneur of the Year Finalist 2013: Turtle Tots

Launched in 2011 by founders Gabrielle Lixton and Caroline Sparks, Turtle Tots is an innovative and unique swimming programme, which begins during pregnancy with aqua-natal yoga, and continues once the baby is born with specialist baby and toddler swimming classes. The duo sell licences and train people to manage their own Turtle Tots businesses – running the Turtle Tots programme exclusively in mapped territories.

The franchise has expanded rapidly and is trademarked in the UK, Australia and Ireland. Despite having young children, Caroline has two children of 10 and eight and Gaby has three aged 10, eight and 18 months, the pair have developed policies and processes to ensure the smooth running of Turtle Tots, whilst also looking after their families.