People don’t just buy the business – they buy into you”: why BabyBeats is backing Rising Stars

There’s something really powerful about hearing how a business actually began.

Not the polished version. Not the highlight reel. But the honest story – the frustration, the searching, the moment someone thought, there has to be something better than this.

That’s exactly why I was so excited to sit down with BabyBeats founder Rose Gibson for our very first sponsor interview on The Class Business Academy channel.

BabyBeats is the official sponsor of the Rising Star Award at the Class Business Awards 2026 – a category designed to recognise early-stage class businesses showing courage, ambition and potential. And once you hear Rose’s story, it’s very clear why this category matters so much to her.

“I walked into a class thinking I’d be doing yoga… and it wasn’t that at all”

Like so many brilliant class businesses, BabyBeats didn’t start with a business plan. It started with disappointment and a gap that needed filling.

Rose was already a yoga and fitness professional when she attended a baby yoga class after having her first child.

“I rocked up with my lycra on, so excited to do something for me,” she told me. “I honestly thought I’d be doing downward dogs, stretching, moving my body.”

That’s not what happened.

“There was a bit of singing, it felt quite cliquey, and I just remember thinking… this isn’t what I expected. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t what I needed.”

Rose went to other classes. Tried other spaces. And still didn’t find her place.

“I never really found my tribe of women,” she said. “And I kept thinking – there must be more than this. There must be something that actually supports women.”

Building something different – and bringing babies with you

What Rose didn’t want was a fitness class where babies were parked on a mat while mums exercised around them.

“I didn’t want to just put my baby in the middle of the room and work out,” she said. “I felt guilty not engaging with him. I wanted something that included both of us.”

So she started experimenting. Blending postnatal recovery, movement, baby development, mental wellbeing and connection.

“Let’s support women’s bodies properly,” she explained. “But let’s also involve the baby. Let’s teach children that movement is something families do together.”

Classes filled fast. Demand grew. And BabyBeats began to take shape – not just as a class, but as a philosophy around women’s wellbeing.

“I built it while juggling babies, naps and pregnancy”

Like so many class business owners, Rose built BabyBeats while raising young children.

“I had two small children, then I got pregnant with my third,” she said. “And I sat back thinking – this business is working. I don’t want to stop it.”

Instead, she trained others. Created a programme. Got it endorsed. And gradually, people started asking how they could be involved.

“We had women saying, I want to teach this. I’ve seen how successful it is,” she shared. “And it just evolved naturally.”

That organic growth later led to franchising – after a licensing model didn’t protect what mattered most.

“We lost control of our brand voice,” Rose said honestly. “And for us, that wasn’t okay. We’re all about supporting women properly. We needed to protect that.”

BabyBeats officially franchised in 2020 – five days before COVID hit. Not ideal. But resilience has always been part of this story.

“People don’t just buy the business – they buy into you”

One of the biggest shifts Rose talked about was stepping fully into personal brand.

“I launched an online membership and people signed up straight away,” she said. “And I sat back thinking – why did that happen?”

Her answer surprised her.

“It’s me,” she realised. “They trust me. They resonate with how I think. They’re investing in me.”

She now hears that echoed back from franchisees.

“When we ask what brought them to BabyBeats, they say – it was you.”

That’s something I’ve been saying for years. People connect with people and in 2026, hiding behind logos just won’t cut it.

“I never thought I’d write a book – that was never on my radar”

One of the biggest turning points in Rose’s journey came through visibility – not flashy marketing, but telling the truth about what she believes in.

Last year, Rose leaned fully into podcasts, PR and sharing her story. One unexpected outcome of that was becoming a published author – something she never imagined for herself.

“The whole thing was completely accidental,” she said. “Most things in my adult life seem to be.”

The book started as small resources Rose created for women in her classes – practical responses to the quiet questions and comments mums shared with her week after week.

“I kept thinking, how can I help them feel less alone in this?” she explained.

What makes this even more powerful is that Rose is dyslexic.

“Writing a book was never in my realms of possibility,” she said. “I’d never thought I’d publish anything.”

But after sharing the idea with a friend and receiving encouragement, something shifted.

“I felt like I’d stepped into my power,” Rose said. “I wrote it like therapy – everything poured out. Then I shaped it into something useful, with journaling and practical support.”

The book launched in October and became an Amazon bestseller – without any paid marketing.

“I didn’t spend money,” she said. “I spent time and energy. I’d built an audience, and I shared something that mattered.”

That experience reinforced what Rose now teaches and lives by.

“It always comes back to storytelling,” she said. “Everyone has a story. It’s about being brave enough to share it.”

That confidence has since opened doors to wider PR, expert commentary and national media opportunities – and it’s exactly the mindset she brings to supporting other women and early-stage business owners through BabyBeats.

Why the Rising Star Award matters so much

When I asked Rose why she wanted to sponsor the Rising Star Award, she didn’t hesitate.

“This sector needs it,” she said. “And I love that it’s judged by a panel. It’s not a popularity contest. It’s about what people are actually building.”

She knows how hard the early stages are.

“Starting out is lonely,” she said. “You’re juggling family, self-doubt, money, and a million decisions. And most of the work happens quietly.”

That’s exactly why the Rising Star Award exists. To recognise potential early and to say we see you – to give people confidence to keep going.

A year of storytelling, not just a night

As I always say, “the awards part is the cherry on the cake.” The real magic is in the stories!

This year we’ll be sharing the journeys of sponsors, nominees, finalists and judges across a full 12-month campaign – because visibility builds belief.

If you want to hear Rose’s story in her own voice, you can watch the full interview on YouTube.

And if you want to be in the room when the industry comes together, you can buy tickets for the Class Business Awards 2026 now.