Building Strong Foundations for Future Franchise Growth at SplatLab
SplatLab, co-founded by Sonja Morgan, is an immersive creative experience business based in Bournemouth, offering customers a unique and interactive environment centred around art, entertainment and creativity. Shortly after launching its initial pilot location, the business began exploring opportunities for future franchise growth.
The Challenge
Just three months after launching SplatLab Bournemouth, the business was already seeing strong interest and early opportunities to expand through franchising.
While franchising had always been part of the long-term vision, the opportunity arose far earlier than expected. At the time, the business was still operating in pilot phase, with only short-term financial planning in place, limited operational documentation, and a focus on testing and refining the concept.
Recognising the need to strengthen the foundations of the business before pursuing growth opportunities, the team wanted guidance on how to scale sustainably and prepare for potential future investment or funding requirements.
The Support
After attending a local networking event, where Evolve delivered a session on funding for growth, Sonja joined the Funding for Scale Programme, funded by Business Growth Dorset.
Although the business was not actively seeking funding at the time, the programme offered valuable insight into how to prepare for future growth opportunities, both financially and operationally.
The sessions explored a wide range of funding routes and investor expectations, while also providing practical tools and frameworks to help businesses assess readiness for growth. Participants were encouraged to openly share experiences and ideas, with businesses at different stages contributing perspectives and challenges from across a range of sectors.
Particular value for Sonja came from the programme’s practical resources, including growth planning worksheets, financial forecasting templates and guidance around pitching to different types of funders and investors.
The Impact
The programme helped SplatLab identify and prioritise the key building blocks needed to support sustainable growth and its future franchise opportunities.
Since attending the programme, the business has implemented a 12-month financial forecast, introduced a dedicated accounting tool, and begun improving operational processes across the business. The team has also started documenting company goals, values and operational procedures, which has become the foundation for its developing Franchise Manual.
The experience also shifted the team’s perspective on growth, reinforcing the importance of building a stronger and more resilient business rather than simply focusing on expansion for expansion’s sake.
As a result, SplatLab has taken a more structured and informed approach to its next stage of development, focusing initially on consolidating and maximising the potential of its current location, while laying the groundwork to explore franchise opportunities in the future.
Testimonial
“I found the whole experience really supportive and inclusive, considering I wasn’t looking for funding at the time. I’ve gained really valuable insight to help scale my business for growth now, and to seek funding with confidence in future."
“The team at Evolve were really professional, knowledgeable and explained things clearly. They encouraged open discussion, and even though I was the only start-up business on the programme, they welcomed my opinions alongside others.”
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