For Immediate Release: Canada (Press Release) September 6, 2010 – Kidproof has welcomed a number of great Canadian franchisees into our family, and now we're proud to announce an international addition. Kidproof's newest franchisee, Catherine Gerhardt, has a goal: to make Kidproof a household name – in Australia!
“I believe my strong connection and familiarity with both cultures will benefit my role as the first Australian Kidproof Franchisee,” says Catherine, who is originally from Canada and immigrated to Melbourne in 1996. “The Kidproof system seemed to be a perfect match, and I knew that this was an opportunity I wanted to seize. I contacted Kidproof to enquire about training, and they expressed an interest in wanting to expand into the Australian market.”
Catherine's background has included working with children in holiday programs and summer camps, working with the elderly in long-term care facilities, and teaching a Community Services diploma course to adults. She found Kidproof after deciding to offer a babysitter training program to local youth in a nearby community centre.
“I conducted an internet search to locate suitable instructor training,” she says. “At first glance, the Kidproof programs offered more then I originally planned to deliver, but with a bit more research I was convinced they would meet a need in our area.”
Catherine had also seen how rewarding a franchise business could be while working with her family.
“My family has had great success with a franchised business in Canada over the last 15 years,” she says. “Although it is in a completely different field, I have experienced firsthand the personal and professional growth that it has brought to them. I wanted to similarly empower myself and capitalize on my individual experiences, skills and passion.”
All Kidproof franchise locations are run by dedicated partners who are committed to increasing safety education and awareness in communities. The Kidproof child safety education franchise is one of a kind, offering numerous programs such as BullyProofing, Babysitter Training, and Stranger Smarts. Franchisees deliver Kidproof programs to parents, educators and children aged five to fifteen through school presentations, community partners and private forums. Kidproof programs deliver the most comprehensive, up-to-date child safety information, presented in a fun, interactive way.
“I want to combine my passion for community development and the need for child safety awareness education into a successful business,” says Catherine. “I will introduce the Kidproof system to the Australian market, and promote these new and exciting programs into our schools and communities.”
About Kidproof
Kidproof is a leading provider of child safety education and offers their programs to numerous communities across Canada, with an aggressive expansion plan for the US and international market. Kidproof was founded by former police officer Samantha Wilson, an internationally-recognized child and family safety expert. Samantha saw a need for child safety information to be more accessible and available to parents, children and community leaders. Kidproof has since become a go-to resource for all issues relating to child safety.
Samantha is a past winner of the Top 40 Under 40 Award, and the 2008 Social Entrepreneur Finalist in the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year Awards. Samantha is the author of Safe Kids, Safe Families, and has been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers, and on television and radio shows.
