From 22 to 320 Families: How Anneka Hurst Built Rhythm Time Through Relationships 

Leaving a secure teaching career to run your own business is never a small decision. 

For Anneka Hurst, owner of Rhythm Time Coventry, Rugby and West Northamptonshire, it meant stepping away from 14 years in secondary education, giving up a regular salary and choosing to go all in on something completely different.

There were plenty of sleepless nights, but Anneka had done her research. She spoke to other franchisees, looked carefully at the potential of the business and asked herself what she genuinely wanted from the next stage of her life.

“I was also really excited and curious. And I think I was at a point in my life where I felt if I don’t do this now, I’m not sure I’m going to do it.”

Three years later, the business has grown from 22 families to around 320, with 22 weekly classes increasing to 25 from September.

Choosing to Go All In

Anneka had always wanted to run her own business, but the timing only began to make sense after she became a parent.

She loved attending baby classes with her own children and could see how a class-based business might give her the flexibility to manage school runs, family life and meaningful work.

When the local Rhythm Time business became available, the opportunity felt as though it had arrived at exactly the right moment.

Anneka considered continuing to teach for a few days each week as a safety net, but ultimately decided that splitting herself between two careers would hold her back.

“If I’m going to do this, it’s all or nothing.”

She inherited ten classes and immediately added three more, alongside a nursery contract she secured by approaching her son’s nursery before she had even officially taken over.

That early action created momentum, but the growth that followed was built on much more than adding sessions.

Building the Experience First

Anneka’s first priority was making sure every family received a high-quality experience from the moment they arrived.

She thought carefully about:

• What families would see when they entered the venue
• How the space would make parents and children feel
• The small practical touches that would help them settle
• How much time was available for conversation between classes

Welcome tables included information, milestone cards, baby wipes and nappy sacks, but the most important part was getting to know the people coming through the door.

Anneka and her class leader know every child’s name and sing hello to them individually. They also make time to speak to parents, grandparents and childminders rather than rushing straight into the next session.

“They’re not just a number. They’re actually somebody that we care about.”

That focus on relationships helped the business grow through recommendations and word of mouth, creating a community rather than a timetable of classes.

Learning to Think Like a Business Owner

Although Anneka brought years of teaching, planning and leadership experience with her, the commercial side of the business was new.

She had to learn about:

• Cash flow, capacity and the number of bookings needed each term
• Branding, ideal customers and clear marketing messages
• Planning ahead rather than reacting from one term to the next

Her social media also changed.

Instead of repeatedly posting “book now” messages, Anneka began showing families what the classes felt like, what they could expect and why Rhythm Time might matter to them.

“They want to know you, they want to know your classes, they want to know what to expect when they come through the door.”

As the business grew, Anneka brought in class leader Alice and later hired a virtual assistant to support the day-to-day administration. That allowed her to protect the quality of delivery while building stronger systems behind the scenes.

Creating a Place Where Everyone Can Belong

The impact of the classes now reaches far beyond musical development.

Anneka shared the story of a childminder who described Rhythm Time as the “sunshine” in an incredibly difficult year. It was the one place she knew she could visit each week and leave feeling better.

She also spoke about supporting a child who was too anxious to enter the class.

For weeks, Anneka passed instruments through the doorway, welcomed him outside and made sure he could still take part from the glass porch. Eventually, he stepped inside and later joined the other children on the mats.

“Music should be for everybody and our classes are inclusive.”

That story captures the approach behind Anneka’s growth. It is not simply about reaching more families. It is about making sure each one feels welcome when they arrive.

What Comes Next?

Anneka’s next step is to expand further into West Northamptonshire, recruit another class leader and continue growing the business’s preschool and nursery provision.

This isn’t growth for the sake of it. It’s thoughtful, intentional and rooted in what’s already working. The focus stays firmly on reaching families who are actively looking for high-quality classes, while protecting the relationships, experience and sense of community that have made Rhythm Time what it is today.

Watch the Full Interview

Anneka Hurst is a finalist in The Class Business Awards 2026, and her story is one so many in this sector will recognise.

From making the decision to leave teaching, to growing from 22 to 320 families, to building a business where community, inclusion and customer experience truly lead the way. It’s all in this conversation.

👉 Watch Anneka’s full interview here.

And if you want to be in the room with finalists like Anneka, hearing these stories first-hand and connecting with the people shaping this sector right now…

Come along and join us on Saturday 10 October 2026 at the National Conference Centre in Solihull for The Class Business Live, followed by The Class Business Awards & Afterparty.

Expect a full day of insight, energy and connection, from 9:00am to 3:00pm, with guest speakers, mastermind discussions and real conversations with people who get it. Then we come back together in the evening from 6:00pm to celebrate everything this community has built.

Book your place for the Class Business Awards here.