What happened when we asked our team one simple question?
As we come to the end of another academic year, our Marketing Lead, Jo, asked each member of the Story Rangers team one simple question:
“What’s been your highlight of the year?”
Reading everyone’s responses was such a lovely way to round off the year.
Of course, I wasn’t surprised that so many of the answers centred around the children. That’s why every one of us does what we do.
What I hadn’t expected was just how clearly they captured what Story Rangers is really all about.
Although we’re all at different stages of our journey and work in different communities, the same themes kept shining through. Watching confidence grow. Building relationships with families. Becoming part of our local communities. Sharing Story Rangers with our own children. Supporting one another as a team.
It reminded me that, while we often talk about stories, puppets, crafts and imaginative play, those things are really just the vehicle. It’s the people who stay with us long after the props have been packed away.
Jo shared…
“My highlight is hands down being a part of building confidence in our little Story Rangers. I’ve been there, as the Mom, whose shy boy suddenly found his voice when he joined Emma’s classes. And now…that’s me…watching little ones go from quiet, shy and unwilling to sing the welcome song, shuffling forward for the story and dancing around with a smile. Priceless!”
Then came Tori’s reflection.
“Coming 9th in the UK in the Top 100 Children’s Activity Providers in my first year was an incredible moment. But the real highlight has been meeting so many wonderful families and watching children’s faces light up when they see me, excited for the adventure we’re about to share. Those smiles are what make Story Rangers so special to me.”
Rosie wrote...
“It’s been wonderful to have a job I can share with my children who love testing out new stories, tuff trays and wearing their Story Rangers t-shirts to be my little helpers on Inset days. It’s great when work and family life go together to make magic!”
Lorna shared…
“The highlight of my year is always when I can have my own little Story Ranger with me in class! She still loves it, even though her first class was 7 years ago!”
And Lizzie reflected on both the children she’s met and the leap she’s taken herself.
“My biggest highlight has been meeting the wonderful families who come along to Story Rangers and seeing their confidence grow, building lovely relationships with local nurseries and being a part of so many little one’s journey with storytelling. Nothing quite beats the smiles and cheers that come when I walk into a nursery and the children shout ‘Story Rangers!’
Also, realising the courage I have to take the biggest leap I’ve ever taken after 15 years in teaching and following my heart!”
When it came to my own answer, I realised I couldn’t choose just one highlight either…
“I’m now in my 7th year of Story Rangers, and watching little faces light up with excitement as their confidence grows is still my absolute favourite part of what I do. It’s something I’ll never take for granted.
But outside of the magic of our classes, my other highlight has been watching our incredible team grow, flourish and support one another in a way that only Team Green can. Seeing everyone develop, celebrate each other’s successes and genuinely want the very best for one another has been so special.“
Once I’d finished reading everyone’s reflections, it really got me thinking.
None of us mentioned admin, marketing or the endless loading and unloading of cars. Nobody talked about business growth, even though it’s been a fantastic year for us all.
That’s not because those things don’t matter. They absolutely do, and they’re all part of building a successful business.
But when we were asked to think about the moments that had stayed with us, our minds all went somewhere else.
They went to the children who now sing the welcome song with confidence.
To the families who have become part of our weekly routine.
To nursery children shouting “Story Rangers!” as we walk through the door.
To sharing what we do with our own children.
To watching one another grow as a team.
As founders, Lorna and I often talk about the support, training and flexibility that comes with being part of Story Rangers. Those things are incredibly important, and we’re proud of everything we’ve built together over the last seven years.
But reading these reflections reminded me that they aren’t the reason people stay.
People stay because of the moments.
The child who beams with pride because they’ve helped tell the story.
The parent who tells you their little one has spent the whole week acting out the adventure at home.
The excitement of walking into a nursery to excitable cheers.
The friendships you build, both with the families you meet and the team around you.
Those are the moments that make this work such a privilege, and I don’t think any of us will ever take them for granted.
If you’ve been following Story Rangers for a while and have found yourself wondering what it’s really like to run a Story Rangers franchise, I hope our team’s reflections have given you a little glimpse behind the scenes.
Every journey is different, but one thing is always the same. We all started because we wanted to make a difference to children and families, and somewhere along the way, we found an incredibly supportive team and a business we’re proud to call our own.
If that sounds like something you’d love to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.
Whether you’re simply curious or seriously considering your next chapter, get in touch for a friendly, no-obligation chat. We’d be delighted to tell you more about life as a Story Ranger.
💚