Jason and Kayla Leonard became franchisees of Busy Bee Jumpers earlier this year, but the idea started long before. Jason has been friends with the brand’s founder, Sal Longo, for over 20 years, and their conversations about the business eventually led to an opportunity to join.

After years of watching the company grow, the couple knew the timing was right to take part. They felt confident because of the long-standing trust and friendship that already existed, which made the decision to invest much easier.

"I made sure he knew that I was very interested in getting involved when the time came up," said Jason. "That’s when Kayla and I jumped on board and became franchisees."

Being parents to two boys has also shaped how they run their business. They understand what families are looking for when planning events and how important it is to create experiences that are stress-free and fun. 

Their personal connection to the customer base helps them approach community partnerships with PTOs, PTAs and local organizations in a meaningful way. They believe that being in the same stage of life as many of their customers gives them an advantage because they can relate to their needs on a personal level.

"It's really easy to have those conversations and understand what some of those pain points might be or what they're looking for just because yeah we're doing it every day," Jason said. 

The Leonards see Busy Bee as a great fit for both their skills and their community. Jason’s background in sales and Kayla’s career in education have prepared them to build strong relationships with customers. 

They also appreciate the brand’s customer-first approach and focus on making the process simple and reliable. That perspective has guided their work as they set up events, handle deliveries and communicate with families. The ability to combine their professional experience with their personal values has made the business a rewarding journey so far.

"The mindset is just making sure the customer is all set, that they’re taken care of and then figuring out the details after that," Jason said. "That alignment has been super helpful for us."

Getting started had its challenges, but the Leonards felt supported. They credit the corporate team with being available whenever needed, from marketing help to operations and routing. Quick responses, regular communication and ongoing training have helped them feel confident in building their business. For the couple, having the reassurance that help is always a phone call away has been an important part of their success in these early months.

The couple wants their business to feel different from others in the area. They make it easy to order through their website and give full refunds if bad weather forces a cancellation. They also take pride in being flexible, stepping in for last-minute needs like handling late-night orders and delivering the very next day. The Leonards believe that kind of service is why people keep coming back and telling others about what they do.

"We want to do business the right way and work with people to become a true part of the community where when anything comes up they say 'Let's call Busy Bee and see what they can do to help us out,'" Jason said. 

The Leonards hope to grow Busy Bee’s footprint throughout Rhode Island. They want to build a trusted name that families and organizations turn to. They continue to serve towns across Rhode Island, and each new customer brings them closer to their goal of being a household name.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/busybeejumpers.