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Pebble sets the Olé Spanish franchise up for success

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Want to try Pebble?

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Want to try Pebble?

Pebble sets the Olé Spanish franchise up for success

In 1993, María Torres Giron, CEO & Founder of Olé Spanish, arrived in England. The original plan was to stay for a year and perfect her language skills, rounding out the English-teaching degree she’d done in Spain. But plans have a habit of changing: María met a tall, charming young man. And now she’s been in the UK for 30 years. 

It was an interesting journey to founding Olé Spanish. María started out teaching Spanish in London schools, but there wasn’t much focus on Spanish: “It was French and German, or a bit of Spanish alongside French,” she recalls. “And I could speak a little bit of French, but I think that a teacher has to inspire. And that inspiration doesn’t come from someone who’s trying to remember how to say, I don’t know, meerkat in French.”

So she moved into graphic design for investment banks, which she did until her son was born. “I went back to work in 2002, and it was not the life I wanted. So I stopped, designed the Olé web page and started getting my first clients, working alongside taking care of my child. 20 years later, here we are: Olé is a thriving franchise, and I’ve developed our signature methodology.”

Learning with Olé isn't just about acquiring words; it's about embracing the culture, rhythms and nuances that make Spanish so vibrant. Across after-school clubs, baby groups, sessions for kids and adults, events and holiday camps, Olé’s interactive approach shapes confident Spanish speakers. “We make sure there’s something at every corner to help our learners immerse themselves in the language,” María explains. 

Expanding from its North London roots, Olé now offers Spanish for everyone across the city, and in Reading and Brighton. In early 2025, Bournemouth will join the list. 


The only way is Olé

“When I started Olé, I was pretty much the only company offering Spanish classes. I know plenty are popping up now; it’s fantastic to have the competition because it means more people have access to learning Spanish.”

In 2019, María published The Only Way is Olé, sharing her experiences as a language teacher. 

“How you naturally teach your baby to speak isn’t about grammar or reading and writing, it’s about fun: singing, acting, games, painting, joking, eating,” María explains. 

“Everything in life is communication, so we bring all that into our lessons. From babies to grown-ups, I research it all, working a term ahead of my franchisees so they’re set up for success. And we have teachers from all over the world; what matters is their drive and passion, as well as their excellent language skills.” 

Whether the kids who join Olé have Spanish-speaking backgrounds or not, María’s franchisees make sure they dive into speaking across their teaching themes. The same goes for older kids and adults: “I don’t believe in tests! You come to have a cup of coffee, have a good conversation about football, music, whatever interests you, and have fun. Learning and practising, without it feeling like it.”

“Clients have been with us for 12 or 13 years,” María adds. “And I’ve seen that kids who learn Spanish alongside English actually improve their English grades. Because their vocabulary expands, and they develop the way they’re thinking about language, writing and speaking.”


A better option for parents and franchisees

When María started her franchise, she was using another management platform. “But it wasn’t very user-friendly or well-designed. I couldn’t add photos, and it was quite expensive. We even lost clients because it was so long-winded and clunky. ”

So she started researching alternatives, then met the Pebble team at an ICAP conference and made the switch in November 2023. 

“When we moved to Pebble, straight away parents said: This is so easy! This is so nice! So we love Pebble: the team is so fast at answering our queries, all my franchisees are much happier and Pebble is cheaper than other platforms, too.”


Quick and easy for classes, discounts and kids’ details

“It’s been fantastic,” María says, sharing a few ways that Pebble’s made a splash at Olé:

Quick to set up classes and clone them

Saving time and minimising errors. 

Easy refunds and discount codes

“Clients love a freebie,” María chuckles. “And Pebble makes those touches very easy to add.”

Tracking finances

The dashboard snapshot is helpful, she says, for an overview of central takings and what’s going out to each franchisee. 

Gathering kids’ details

As Olé often puts out snacks, runs events with food spreads and takes kids on trips abroad, having detailed allergy and medical information is vital. “I like how parents can add this after completing their booking on Pebble. It’s not a long process that gets them to add details down to their kid’s shoe size, like on other platforms,” María explains. 

Liaising with schools

“You send the QR code or link, and it’s all done. It’s a really good, clever platform,” she says. 

As for the future? 

“I’d love to go international with Pebble,” María shares. “I’ve had interest from teachers in France, Canada and Mexico, and I have big hopes for Olé because Spanish is spoken everywhere.” 

To learn more about Pebble’s award-winning management software for children's activity providers, click here

Pebble sets the Olé Spanish franchise up for success

In 1993, María Torres Giron, CEO & Founder of Olé Spanish, arrived in England. The original plan was to stay for a year and perfect her language skills, rounding out the English-teaching degree she’d done in Spain. But plans have a habit of changing: María met a tall, charming young man. And now she’s been in the UK for 30 years. 

It was an interesting journey to founding Olé Spanish. María started out teaching Spanish in London schools, but there wasn’t much focus on Spanish: “It was French and German, or a bit of Spanish alongside French,” she recalls. “And I could speak a little bit of French, but I think that a teacher has to inspire. And that inspiration doesn’t come from someone who’s trying to remember how to say, I don’t know, meerkat in French.”

So she moved into graphic design for investment banks, which she did until her son was born. “I went back to work in 2002, and it was not the life I wanted. So I stopped, designed the Olé web page and started getting my first clients, working alongside taking care of my child. 20 years later, here we are: Olé is a thriving franchise, and I’ve developed our signature methodology.”

Learning with Olé isn't just about acquiring words; it's about embracing the culture, rhythms and nuances that make Spanish so vibrant. Across after-school clubs, baby groups, sessions for kids and adults, events and holiday camps, Olé’s interactive approach shapes confident Spanish speakers. “We make sure there’s something at every corner to help our learners immerse themselves in the language,” María explains. 

Expanding from its North London roots, Olé now offers Spanish for everyone across the city, and in Reading and Brighton. In early 2025, Bournemouth will join the list. 


The only way is Olé

“When I started Olé, I was pretty much the only company offering Spanish classes. I know plenty are popping up now; it’s fantastic to have the competition because it means more people have access to learning Spanish.”

In 2019, María published The Only Way is Olé, sharing her experiences as a language teacher. 

“How you naturally teach your baby to speak isn’t about grammar or reading and writing, it’s about fun: singing, acting, games, painting, joking, eating,” María explains. 

“Everything in life is communication, so we bring all that into our lessons. From babies to grown-ups, I research it all, working a term ahead of my franchisees so they’re set up for success. And we have teachers from all over the world; what matters is their drive and passion, as well as their excellent language skills.” 

Whether the kids who join Olé have Spanish-speaking backgrounds or not, María’s franchisees make sure they dive into speaking across their teaching themes. The same goes for older kids and adults: “I don’t believe in tests! You come to have a cup of coffee, have a good conversation about football, music, whatever interests you, and have fun. Learning and practising, without it feeling like it.”

“Clients have been with us for 12 or 13 years,” María adds. “And I’ve seen that kids who learn Spanish alongside English actually improve their English grades. Because their vocabulary expands, and they develop the way they’re thinking about language, writing and speaking.”


A better option for parents and franchisees

When María started her franchise, she was using another management platform. “But it wasn’t very user-friendly or well-designed. I couldn’t add photos, and it was quite expensive. We even lost clients because it was so long-winded and clunky. ”

So she started researching alternatives, then met the Pebble team at an ICAP conference and made the switch in November 2023. 

“When we moved to Pebble, straight away parents said: This is so easy! This is so nice! So we love Pebble: the team is so fast at answering our queries, all my franchisees are much happier and Pebble is cheaper than other platforms, too.”


Quick and easy for classes, discounts and kids’ details

“It’s been fantastic,” María says, sharing a few ways that Pebble’s made a splash at Olé:

Quick to set up classes and clone them

Saving time and minimising errors. 

Easy refunds and discount codes

“Clients love a freebie,” María chuckles. “And Pebble makes those touches very easy to add.”

Tracking finances

The dashboard snapshot is helpful, she says, for an overview of central takings and what’s going out to each franchisee. 

Gathering kids’ details

As Olé often puts out snacks, runs events with food spreads and takes kids on trips abroad, having detailed allergy and medical information is vital. “I like how parents can add this after completing their booking on Pebble. It’s not a long process that gets them to add details down to their kid’s shoe size, like on other platforms,” María explains. 

Liaising with schools

“You send the QR code or link, and it’s all done. It’s a really good, clever platform,” she says. 

As for the future? 

“I’d love to go international with Pebble,” María shares. “I’ve had interest from teachers in France, Canada and Mexico, and I have big hopes for Olé because Spanish is spoken everywhere.” 

To learn more about Pebble’s award-winning management software for children's activity providers, click here

Pebble sets the Olé Spanish franchise up for success

In 1993, María Torres Giron, CEO & Founder of Olé Spanish, arrived in England. The original plan was to stay for a year and perfect her language skills, rounding out the English-teaching degree she’d done in Spain. But plans have a habit of changing: María met a tall, charming young man. And now she’s been in the UK for 30 years. 

It was an interesting journey to founding Olé Spanish. María started out teaching Spanish in London schools, but there wasn’t much focus on Spanish: “It was French and German, or a bit of Spanish alongside French,” she recalls. “And I could speak a little bit of French, but I think that a teacher has to inspire. And that inspiration doesn’t come from someone who’s trying to remember how to say, I don’t know, meerkat in French.”

So she moved into graphic design for investment banks, which she did until her son was born. “I went back to work in 2002, and it was not the life I wanted. So I stopped, designed the Olé web page and started getting my first clients, working alongside taking care of my child. 20 years later, here we are: Olé is a thriving franchise, and I’ve developed our signature methodology.”

Learning with Olé isn't just about acquiring words; it's about embracing the culture, rhythms and nuances that make Spanish so vibrant. Across after-school clubs, baby groups, sessions for kids and adults, events and holiday camps, Olé’s interactive approach shapes confident Spanish speakers. “We make sure there’s something at every corner to help our learners immerse themselves in the language,” María explains. 

Expanding from its North London roots, Olé now offers Spanish for everyone across the city, and in Reading and Brighton. In early 2025, Bournemouth will join the list. 


The only way is Olé

“When I started Olé, I was pretty much the only company offering Spanish classes. I know plenty are popping up now; it’s fantastic to have the competition because it means more people have access to learning Spanish.”

In 2019, María published The Only Way is Olé, sharing her experiences as a language teacher. 

“How you naturally teach your baby to speak isn’t about grammar or reading and writing, it’s about fun: singing, acting, games, painting, joking, eating,” María explains. 

“Everything in life is communication, so we bring all that into our lessons. From babies to grown-ups, I research it all, working a term ahead of my franchisees so they’re set up for success. And we have teachers from all over the world; what matters is their drive and passion, as well as their excellent language skills.” 

Whether the kids who join Olé have Spanish-speaking backgrounds or not, María’s franchisees make sure they dive into speaking across their teaching themes. The same goes for older kids and adults: “I don’t believe in tests! You come to have a cup of coffee, have a good conversation about football, music, whatever interests you, and have fun. Learning and practising, without it feeling like it.”

“Clients have been with us for 12 or 13 years,” María adds. “And I’ve seen that kids who learn Spanish alongside English actually improve their English grades. Because their vocabulary expands, and they develop the way they’re thinking about language, writing and speaking.”


A better option for parents and franchisees

When María started her franchise, she was using another management platform. “But it wasn’t very user-friendly or well-designed. I couldn’t add photos, and it was quite expensive. We even lost clients because it was so long-winded and clunky. ”

So she started researching alternatives, then met the Pebble team at an ICAP conference and made the switch in November 2023. 

“When we moved to Pebble, straight away parents said: This is so easy! This is so nice! So we love Pebble: the team is so fast at answering our queries, all my franchisees are much happier and Pebble is cheaper than other platforms, too.”


Quick and easy for classes, discounts and kids’ details

“It’s been fantastic,” María says, sharing a few ways that Pebble’s made a splash at Olé:

Quick to set up classes and clone them

Saving time and minimising errors. 

Easy refunds and discount codes

“Clients love a freebie,” María chuckles. “And Pebble makes those touches very easy to add.”

Tracking finances

The dashboard snapshot is helpful, she says, for an overview of central takings and what’s going out to each franchisee. 

Gathering kids’ details

As Olé often puts out snacks, runs events with food spreads and takes kids on trips abroad, having detailed allergy and medical information is vital. “I like how parents can add this after completing their booking on Pebble. It’s not a long process that gets them to add details down to their kid’s shoe size, like on other platforms,” María explains. 

Liaising with schools

“You send the QR code or link, and it’s all done. It’s a really good, clever platform,” she says. 

As for the future? 

“I’d love to go international with Pebble,” María shares. “I’ve had interest from teachers in France, Canada and Mexico, and I have big hopes for Olé because Spanish is spoken everywhere.” 

To learn more about Pebble’s award-winning management software for children's activity providers, click here

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