Q&A: Does Window to the Womb Franchise in the UK?

Window to the Womb is a hugely popular franchise network of ultrasound/3D and 4D imaging centres for expectant mothers. If running your own business with plenty of franchisor support and working in the thriving baby industry appeals to you, an investment with Window to the Womb might be the ideal option. But are Window to the Womb franchise opportunities available in the UK right now?

If you’ve ever looked into starting your own baby franchise, you’ll know that the sector is vast, and growing with each passing year. From baby swim classes to baby yoga to private ultrasounds, you’re sure to find the right option for you if you do your research and get to know the industry a little better. Window to the Womb is one of those options, and if you read on, you’ll find out all about how to start a Window to the Womb business of your own.

Does Window to the Womb franchise in the UK?

Yes and no. Window to the Womb does franchise in the UK, but as of now, all of the company’s 40 territories are opened or reserved. Resale opportunities do come up occasionally, however, and if you choose to buy a Window to the Womb franchise when the opportunity arises, you’ll join a network that values honesty, loyalty and integrity.                                                                           

We have only created 40 UK territories. [...] We want our franchise partners to have the opportunity to open their initial studio and establish their business with absolutely no pressure from potential lack of population. We also want to provide our franchise partners with the opportunity to open a further studio within their territory if they so choose.
- Window to the Womb

Window to the Womb’s history

Clinical use of the ultrasound really took off in British hospitals around the 1970s after coming to Scotland in the 50s, and Window to the Womb was the first private ultrasound clinic to open in the UK a few decades later in 2003. The first Window to the Womb, started and still operated by the Bowbanks family, was in Nottingham.

Window to the Womb then entered the franchising scene in 2014, and now Window to the Womb clinics up and down the country help mothers and fathers meet their babies. Its clinics offer 3D and 4D non-diagnostic ultrasound scans when babies are between six weeks and full term, all of which are performed by fully-qualified medical sonographers. Window to the Womb is a proud member of the British Franchise Association and holds itself to high ethical standards.

Start a franchise in the baby industry with Window to the Womb baby scans

If you’d love to run a franchise that improves customers’ lives and helps them in important moments, purchasing and taking over a Window to the Womb franchise might be the perfect choice for you. Here are the three questions you’ll need to uncover the answer to before you can make that potentially career-transforming franchise investment...

1. How do you go about becoming a Window to the Womb franchisee?

As mentioned above, the only way to become a franchisee with Window to the Womb right now is by snatching up a franchise resale opportunity when it appears. You don’t need any prior baby industry experience to be considered the right fit for the role, but you should be enthusiastic, inclusive, fun and good at balancing your work and the rest of your life. Other skills that you can expect to be useful for the running of any healthcare-adjacent business include:

• Empathy 
• Positivity 
• Stress management
• Time management 
• Communication
• Flexibility and adaptability 
• Teamwork
• Attentiveness
• Confidence 

2. How much do you need to invest?

Unlike most other franchisors in the UK we have no other revenue streams….no ‘kickbacks’ from suppliers, no commissions, no ‘central marketing charge’, no renewal fees… This means that our interests and those of our franchise partners are completely aligned.
- Window to the Womb

If you’re interested in running your own Window to the Womb franchise, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £25,000, followed by monthly fees of £1,500. The total investment is in the region of £65,000. To give you an idea of where Window to the Womb stands, in a financial sense, compared to its healthcare and baby business competitors, here are a couple of examples:

• Heritage Healthcare - To become a Heritage Healthcare franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £35,994, with a total investment cost of £95,994.

• Busylizzy - To become a Busylizzy franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £7,500, with franchise fees of £18,500 and a total investment cost of £27,200. 

3. What do you get for your investment?

This is a great business model. Of course it’s hard work, but show me a successful business that isn’t? [Window to the Womb is in a] new sector with limited competition so there is an opportunity for me to become the local market leader, [and] the franchisor is genuinely offering a great support service and is committed to developing the brand in an inclusive way.
- David Cheese, Window to the Womb Norwich

If you invest with Window to the Womb, you’ll receive a full programme of training and support. As you’ll be purchasing an existing franchise, you won’t need clinic fit-out services and the equipment you’ll require will differ depending on the unique situation. You’ll have access to a community of like-minded, passionate business owners, and you’ll have all the marketing support you require.

The Window to the Womb business model is profitable and proven

Hopefully, you’re leaving this article with a stronger sense of Window to the Womb’s history, its place in the market, and whether it might be a good fit for you. If you love the personal care aspect of the opportunity, why not also check out potential investments with companies like Apollo Care and The Massage Company? If you love the baby aspect, what about Angela’s Swim School or Popcat’s Music Time?