Golden Bells was established to unleash the genius in every child in a natural way with secure and convenient surroundings. In an interview Rajeev Gupta, Director, Golden Bells shares his expansion plans.
Neha Gohil (NG): Shed some light on your entrepreneurial journey. Briefly describe about ‘Golden Bells’?
Rajeev Gupta (RG): Golden Bells has been my dream right from its inception. After leaving my profession as a top executive in a world renowned MNC and after having a five year stint in family business of school books publishing house, I was entrusted by my father to take charge of providing a school with world class facilities in our neighbourhood.
Golden Bells is an innovative pre - school operational since 2004 welcoming its parents and children to an education which many pursue but few attain. The brand is known for its pioneering qualitative schooling where learning is fun. The school offers a creative mix of intellectual and socio – emotional growth and is equipped with latest technological advancements, managed by highly qualified professionals and educationists.
NG: What is the USP of Golden Bells?
RG: Learning is fun at Golden Bells and it never ceases. We are of the belief that people use financial resources, we use human resources by and large which is the bedrock of the development of the school. Our attempt is to create compassionate, responsible and innovative global citizens. We are planning to introduce special features for the child safety from the coming academic session – Smart card security, Medical insurance and Smart tables for the kids which I think will be the special USP for any Golden Bells setup.
NG: When and why did you plan to expand via franchise? What are your further expansion plans?
RG: I wanted to expand from day one but was waiting for the day when kids would come to my school from areas as far as 20 – 25 km and that made me ponder that if the parents are willing to send their kids to my pre – school from such far off distances, why should not I go to them and then arose the need for expanding.
NG: What kind of location are you looking for expansion?
RG: Initially we are looking for expansion in the Delhi / NCR region and after that we will cater to north India and then pan India. Secondly the location(s) have to be hygienic and child friendly in a clean neighbourhood.
NG: What are your requisites in terms of skills, area and investment from a prospective franchisee?
RG: We are looking for passionate partners who are willing to invest in education and not in business. I mean those people for whom education is passion and money will follow are the ones whom I wish to be associated with rather than those individuals who look money irrespective of education. We need people who are passionate about building careers of young tiny tots. The investment and the other infrastructural requirements may vary from one place to another and depending on the location factors.
NG: What kind of training and support you offer to a franchisee?
RG: We are capable of providing end to end knowledge of the pre – school segment education business and establish parameters as per as excellent teaching standards have to be met. We also have the expertise to train the trainers / facilitators for getting the best out of the worst from each individual child as per his / her calibre.
NG: What criteria do you seek in a franchisee with regards to his qualifications?
RG: We are looking for professionals in the way that they are able to understand the concept of education as a platform for shaping the career of young ones. One should believe in the ideology that you never win silver, you always lose gold.
