Nineteen-year-old basketball coach Luna Esber is a beacon of energy and enthusiasm, and she has brought her positive attitude to Little Boomers Basketball – not just as a coach, but as a business owner!

The full-time university student is now her own boss, thanks to commitment and a vision for the future.

“I love that I can be my own boss while I’m still at uni. This is a great business model, and it’s very flexible so I can easily balance my classes with my studies,” she says.

Luna had just started university when she approached Little Boomers Basketball for a coaching position.

A passionate basketball player since she was a child, Luna was eager to work with Little Boomers, which runs classes for kids aged from three to 12.

“The name is there, everyone knows Little Boomers,” Luna says. “I wish this had been available when I was very young, the program and classes are so well-structured.”

From coaching to Little Boomers’ youngest franchisee

Luna scored her longed-for coaching role and threw herself into instructing the kids. Her boundless energy and drive were obvious to the Little Boomers team from the beginning.

And within eight months she was already considering a franchise.

Luna had been hearing from other Sydney-based franchisees how they ran their Little Boomers businesses and was impressed. So she had a conversation with her parents about buying a franchise.

“They were fully supportive,” she says. “My dad owns his electrical business so he knows about small business.”

Within days, Emile Koorey, the founder of Little Boomers and a former basketball professional, approached Luna to ask if she had ever considered buying a franchise.

The timing was perfect, and Luna was thrilled to be offered the opportunity.

“I wanted to be in a position to connect with families on a deeper level and impact children’s lives a lot more,” she says.

Easy to operate, easy to learn

Just 18 when she bought the business late last year, Luna is Little Boomers’ youngest franchisee. She started operating her franchise in February 2024.

“The start-up was pretty smooth. Emile talks through everything; you don’t have to learn by yourself how to run a business and I gained a lot from other coaches too. We all use the same admin software, and all our emails are templated, so it’s easy.

“Once all the start-up is completed, you are focused on your clients. I’ve learned so much from my experience already, and head office is always there for support.”

Luna is on a scholarship at the University of Sydney, studying for a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education.

“I’m in my second year, halfway through the course. I have a passion for teaching, but if this business grows as I want, it may take precedence and I will do teaching as a casual.”

In her current role as a franchisee running her own Little Boomers business, Luna is fulfilling her ambition of affecting kids’ lives positively.

A positive impact on kids

“I love working with kids. You can have such an impact as a coach or teacher – I had great teachers growing up, and I want to give that back,” she reveals.

Luna runs eight classes and has expanded within her Parramatta territory to open up sessions in Blacktown next term. Little Boomers franchisees buy postcodes within a territory where they can operate.

Luna employs up to five coaches to work for her (including her twin brother who helped her get started). As a consequence, she is spending less time coaching and devoting more energy to her business.

This fledgling business is booming, and Luna is driving brand awareness as any young entrepreneur would – through social media.

“I have a videographer who shoots a video every week and I create ads for Instagram and Facebook. Instagram is my main source, and I have gained quite a few followers,” she says.

“My approach is fun videos; I take live-action footage in class. I’ve also uploaded the structure of classes to demonstrate exactly what we do.”

Building up business

In addition to social media, word-of-mouth recommendations are building up a strong client base.

“It’s so crazy how parents spread the word! I had a class with just eight kids. Then the second week, it was full. I asked a parent, ‘Do you know these kids?’ ‘Oh, we told the whole street’ the parent replied, and six or seven families had enrolled!”

Communicating with parents is the biggest part of a franchisee’s role, she points out.

“The parents I work with are very supportive,” she says.

Support is vital to success

“Support is crucial. The support from family and friends makes a big difference. I get brilliant support from head office, and I trust in the business. Business is a big risk, but without risk, there’s no gain.

“I had an accountant and lawyer look over the franchise agreement. Head office is transparent about the finances; it’s a big investment for me and it was worth it!”

Luna financed the $49,999 purchase with her parents’ help.

“Owning this business has made me grow and mature more quickly. As Little Boomers’ youngest franchisee I’ve got to experience something I never imagined I would, at just 19.

“I have learned to prioritise, and I have learned some valuable life skills. Buying a Little Boomers franchise has been so worthwhile,” she says.