Meet The Franchisees

 

 

How a passion for performing arts inspired a life-changing journey

 

After being presented with a card by a student saying, ‘thank you for believing in me,’ Rachel Shrader and Benjamin Ashton found the motivation to take the next step in their teaching journey and become the new franchisees of Razzamataz Oxford. Their story will inspire others to follow their passion.

 

A bit about us

Rachel: I’m originally from the USA and started performing professionally in musical theatre at just nine years old. When I was 17, I began a career as a dancer, first in theme parks and then performing on US national tours with VStar Entertainment Group which produces shows such as Sesame Street Live, Trolls Live and many other popular children’s shows. After touring for five years, I moved to Oxford to study theology and began working at Razzamataz Oxford as well as continuing to perform and choreograph at the Oxford Operatic Society.

 

Benjamin: I grew up in Oxford and attended musical theatre classes from the age of four. I attended Magdalen College in Oxford, studying Italian. I also hold a diploma in musical theatre. Throughout my time at university, I participated in many theatre productions and on graduating, moved to Italy to work as an au pair, English teacher, and drama teacher. When I returned to the UK, I joined the Oxford Operatic Society where I met Rachel. I began teaching at Razzamataz in 2023 and have loved every minute.

 

Why Razzamataz

Rachel: There’s such a lovely sense of community and feeling that everyone is welcome. We have so many Senior students who have never participated in performing arts before, so we make sure that there is a truly supportive environment where they can grow in confidence, have the chance to be a bit silly and fall in love with the arts.

 

Benjamin: I’ve taught at many different places but Razzamataz is so student focussed. It’s not about pushing children to be in any particular box, it’s about giving them the space for them to discover who they are. We are also proud of how accessible Razzamataz is with our offerings of scholarships and the Future Fund charity, which supports older students going on to college.

 

First steps into becoming a franchisee

Benjamin: When we first found out the current Principal was planning on moving on, we immediately had a conversation about whether this was something that we could take on. Running our own business wasn’t really on either of our radars but we loved everything about Razzamataz but we were definitely back and forth for a while. It was after seeing one of our students in a show and she gave us a card thanking us for believing in her that we made the decision. So it was definitely a decision made from an emotional perspective but the fact that it is a franchise, gave us the belief we could do it.

 

Why franchising

Benjamin: Creatively and emotionally we were in but neither of us had any real business experience so we knew that we needed the support that a franchise could offer. We’ve found that the communication with Head Office has been fantastic and there are always people who can answer your questions and give us advice on everything from marketing to growth strategies and beyond.

 

Training

Rachel: The training is a real whistle stop tour of everything you need to know about running a performing arts school. From business law, health and safety, licencing, customer service etc, it was a bit like a boot camp but was a fantastic way to understand all the fundamental elements. The support since training has been very active, not only from our support mentor but also Denise, the Founder has been on the phone to us plenty of times.

 

What are your work goals

Rachel: In terms of the business, we aim to build on what we already have and create a full school. It’s really important to us that while we grow, we maintain strong links with customers and a student focussed approach, ensuring that we retain the lovely, warm and welcoming feel of the school.

 

What is your mission

Benjamin: We want to foster a lifelong love for the arts in young people. I don’t expect all our students to have ambitions to perform as a career but I think having an appreciation for art and creativity is so enriching in so many different ways. I want our students to look back at their time at Razzamataz and say they had a great group of friends and were proud of the things they achieved. We want every student to walk out of our school and feel more confident and that they have had a better day because of Razzamataz. If they feel happier in themselves, then that’s a job well done.

 

How will Razzamataz fit into your life

Rachel: I work part time and Ben full time for an education and outreach charity. We both love the flexibility that Razzamataz offers and we’ve seen so many other Principals all with very varied lives that make it work. That’s very reassuring because we have built a life around this type of work and want to continue to perform and take advantage of all the opportunities that come our way.

 

Future goals

Rachel: We want to continue to teach students about the vast breadth of musical theatre styles and how the commercial elements are so interlinked. We will continue to ensure opportunities are offered outside of the classroom such as theatre trips, local performance opportunities and the Head Office events that we feel are right for our students.

 

Benjamin: We will strive for every student to feel like their time at Razzamataz is fun and exciting. We want them to develop a love of the arts within a place where they feel secure to find themselves and become the person that they want to be. We want them to all look back on their time and to feel that it really meant something.

 

Words to live by

Rachel: Be open to what’s coming.

Benjamin: The most important thing is to find clarity.

 

Make a difference to young lives in your community

Join us in time for our 25th Anniversary celebrations at The Eiffel Tower, Paris next September! Current fee is £12,995 plus VAT or ZERO upfront fee with a flat fee return, ask us about this! Every now & again we have resale opportunities, please contact us to find out more!

Training takes place regularly at the Razzamataz Head Office in the beautiful Lake District and Flagship school Razzamataz Carlisle. 

 

Choreograph your future with us: train, teach, own

Join us at Pineapple Dance Studios, London on Sunday 29th September, for a completely FREE professional development day & meet the founder & our team to talk about opportunities to train with us, teach with us, own with us!

 

Email [email protected] by 1st July for more information as places are limited!

 

 

New mum Katie Farnsworth has come full circle as the latest franchisee at the Dragons’ Den-backed theatre school franchise. As a professional dancer, graduating in 2014, Katie performed all over the world, including the USA, India, Greece and the UK, before meeting her partner and starting a family.

 

More than ten years ago, she successfully auditioned for the TUI First Choice Holiday contract with Razzamataz Theatre Schools, where she taught young holidaymakers performing arts for two seasons on the Greek island of Kos and Portugal.

 

“These contracts were a lot of fun and I really enjoyed working for Razzamataz but at the time, I wasn’t really thinking about setting up my own business but I do think it was probably always in the back of my mind,” says Katie. “I came back into contact with the company in 2020 when I started teaching for the Brentwood school in Essex.”

 

Since that time, Katie met her partner and had a baby who is now ten months old and decided to move to Norwich, a place where she feels very settled. “What has been very exciting is that I’ve been able to take a business with me to the place that I want to live,” says Katie. “I’ve known Razzamataz for a long time and know how successful they are. It’s obviously a big step launching your own business but I’m confident because I understand their ethos, which very much aligns to my own and I believe Razzamataz can really offer something unique to the young people of this area.”

 

Katie will be launching Razzamataz Norwich in September this year, which is in time to celebrate the company’s 25^th anniversary. She has been in regular contact with the Head Office team and is looking forward to starting her training, where she will learn every element of running a theatre school.

 

“I know from talking to the team how important it is to connect to the community around you and I’m passionate about providing the children and their families with unique opportunities,” says Katie. “Every child will be welcome, regardless of their ability and myself and my team of teachers will ensure that the school is a friendly place for all young people to thrive.”

 

As a mum to a young child, Katie is reassured that Razzamataz offers such flexibility to allow her to spend time with her daughter. “I really want to show her that you can run a business, work and still do the things you love, which for me is to continue to perform,” adds Katie. “Although it’s early days in this exciting new chapter of my life, so far it has been great and I feel very supported in this new role. It’s been quite a journey from being a young teacher at Razzamataz’s summer schools overseas, to now getting ready to open my own theatre school but it definitely feels like a natural progression and one that will fit well into my lifestyle, providing me with a fulfilling opportunity to blend my passion for education and performing arts with my role as a parent.”

 

Make a difference to young lives in your community

Join us NOW for a 2024 launch. Current fee is £12,995 plus VAT or ZERO upfront fee with a flat fee return, ask us about this! Every now & again we have resale opportunities, please contact us to find out more!

Training takes place regularly at the Razzamataz Head Office in the beautiful Lake District and Flagship school Razzamataz Carlisle. 

 

Choreograph your future with us: train, teach, own

Join us at Pineapple Dance Studios, London on Sunday 29th September, for a completely FREE professional development day & meet the founder & our team to talk about opportunities to train with us, teach with us, own with us!

 

Email [email protected] by 1st July for more information as places are limited!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profile:

Asha Richardson took over Razzamataz Penrith in July 2020, with just 35 students. She had a strong desire to expand into the nearby rural areas so rebranded the business to Razzamataz South Lakes and opened a school in Appleby in April 2021 and then a school in Kendal in September 2021. Just two years after joining the network, she now has approximately 290 students. Asha is a mum to Lennox age four and new-born Marley. She was invited to be a founding member of the All Stars Academy, an exciting initiative to grow the network further and give franchisees exclusive access to high-profile coaches and special events and incentives. 

 

Razzamataz highlights:

There have been so many but a personal one for me is seeing the school in Appleby being so popular because that is where I am from, and I was determined to make it work. As a rural area, there are not many activities or baby groups which can make parents feel very isolated. Launching our Tiny Tots class for parents/caregivers and their babies has been hugely rewarding and incredibly popular. I saw this opportunity and went for it and now we have around 70 customers all enjoying these classes. I always love seeing the children and their families so being able to get back together after lockdown was a very special moment to cherish. 

 

Skills needed to be a theatre school owner:

You must be self-motivated and have a will to succeed. Although we are a franchise with others in the network, which certainly helps, you must be willing to put the work in and be dedicated to your school and the brand. I also feel that you should be prepared to give back. In our network, we all have different skill sets and what makes it so successful is the willingness of everyone to share their knowledge and experiences. This means that you won’t be afraid to ask others for help if you are also willing to share. When running a business, you must have good organisation skills but that said, I didn’t know anything about business before joining Razzamataz, so that shouldn’t dissuade anyone. You get all the support and training that you need so your creativity can run alongside the knowledge that Head Office are providing you with all the tools you need to be successful. 

 

Franchise journey:

I joined Razzamataz with a vision that I wanted to create a school that would offer opportunities for children living in rural areas and expose them to all the wonderful things that come from participation in the performing arts. I quickly understood that to do this I would need to build a strong team and follow the Razzamataz family ethos. We are taught in training about the importance of customer service and creating strong links with the local community, which has really benefitted me in terms of student referrals and positive word of mouth. In just two years, I’ve been able to rapidly grow the business by having a wonderful team around me, which has also allowed me to step back a little and have my second child. Although I’m not taking traditional maternity leave, the flexibility of Razzamataz means that I can step in and out as I need to, and I don’t have to go back full time. I love what I do so much that I wouldn’t want to take too much time away anyway. 

 

Becoming part of the All Stars Academy:

When I heard about this new initiative, I was excited to be involved because I have already been through the process with a member of staff. One of the aims of the All Stars is to grow the network and I have already helped a member of staff take the decision to launch her own Razzamataz school. Amber wanted to relocate back to her hometown, and I encouraged her to go along to a Discovery Den to find out more about running her own Razzamataz and franchising in general. We’ve become great friends and I know she will build a successful school. I’m also a woman that likes to get things done and being part of the All Stars will continue to challenge and keep me motivated.

 

Building the business:

Razzamataz has allowed me to fulfil my ambition to run my own theatre school, but in a way that best suits my lifestyle. Head Office are very open to discussions about what works best for the individual and they allowed me to run slightly differently, which enabled me to grow rapidly, give more work to my staff, creating a reliable team which has meant that I can also expand my family in the knowledge that the business will continue to run smoothly. 

 

Razzamataz opportunities:

There are many unique selling points and things that make us stand out from the local competition. Students get to perform on a West End stage, take part in amazing workshops with industry experts and even be part of a promotional event for films such as Sing 2. If I were an independent theatre school, I wouldn’t even be able to dream of these opportunities, let alone make them happen. These opportunities are great for student recruitment and retention and exciting for staff members. From a local point of view, I’m so proud to give students these opportunities; it shows them what they can achieve and a career in the arts is possible. Many children in this area haven’t even seen a live show, so these events give them hope and inspiration about what they can go on to achieve. 

 

Why be part of a franchise:

Without the training and support from Razzamataz, I would not have been able to grow like I have. We have so many inspirational speakers and access to industry experts, it is possible to absorb so much information and build the business that you want. 

 

Future plans:

I’ve just had my second child, so my focus is on re-opening the schools in September at full capacity. I love knowing that the classes can run without me, which gives me to opportunity to focus on other areas of growth. I also love to continue to challenge myself so I’m sure I will be looking at more opportunities soon. 

 

Top tips:

Go back to basics and do your research to discover what you really want out of your business. Speak to the franchisees to get an honest opinion and make sure you understand exactly how much support, training, and opportunities you will get with each franchisor, because they are all different. If you become part of the Razzamataz network, ensure that you take advantage of all the training and opportunities because it is the thing that will make your school grow and will most benefit you as a businessperson.

 

“Razzamataz has allowed me to fulfil my ambition to run my own theatre school, but in a way that best suits my lifestyle.”

Contact Asha at:

[email protected]

07539 144225

 

Profile:

Amber Gibney, age 24, is the youngest franchisee in the network and is looking forward to launching Razzamataz Stockton-on-Tees, where she grew up. Amber attended the University of Cumbria to do a degree and upon completion, became a performing arts teacher and theatre technician. She applied for a position as a classroom assistant at Razzamataz South Lakes and after just one and a half years, she took the step to becoming a Razzamataz franchisee and opening her own school back in her hometown. 

 

How did you hear about Razzamataz? 

“Lots of my friends saw the advert for the job at Razzamataz South Lakes and I was tagged multiple times. I thought I would give it a go and see what opportunities I could discover. On meeting the Principal Asha, I was offered the role of a dance teacher and I have quickly progressed, doing lots of the admin and marketing duties and then becoming an assistant Principal.” 

 

What business experience did you have?

“Very little as I’m only 24 but when I looked at the opportunity available, it just felt perfect and too good to walk away from. I’ve always wanted to work for myself, but I didn’t envisage it happening so quickly and on this scale. But when I looked at all the Principals within the Razzamataz network, there are many from different backgrounds and ages and I thought there is no reason why I can’t achieve the same as everyone else. I’ve been wanting to move back home to Stockton-on-Tees for a while and this has given me that opportunity to do that while doing something I love.”

 

What attracted you to the franchise sector?

“I knew a little about franchising from having a part-time job in McDonald’s when I was at school, but I didn’t really think about it in relation to what I wanted to do in my career. I love the fact that Razzamataz allows me to be my own boss but with support of the network and a framework that gives me the tools that I need. This support is something that independent performing arts schools don’t receive and I believe this ongoing support and community spirit across the network is an integral part of the success of our students.”

 

How was the process of deciding to become a franchisee?

“It was much quicker and easier than I thought. Asha encouraged me to go along to a Discovery Den to find out more about the franchise opportunity. She said to go and see what I thought as what is the harm in trying? I chatted it through with my family and then came to the decision that the money I had saved up for a house deposit, to use for the franchise fee and launching the school.”

 

How has the initial training and support been?

“Going into training I was quietly confident about some areas because I do them daily but other areas, I really had no idea about. Training gave me that confidence that it would all be manageable and achievable, so it is a very reassuring process. The most important thing is that you are encouraged to ask for help wherever you need it.” 

 

What are your goals

“The first thing is to establish the Razzamataz brand in Stockton and ensure people understand why we are here and what we can do for children and young people. I then want to aim to be part of the 100 club (100 students) because I was part of the team that helped Asha grow so quickly at South Lakes so I have seen first-hand how it can be done and I don’t see any reason why I can’t do the same in Stockton.” 

 

How do you hope Razzamataz will fit into your lifestyle?

“I’m excited that becoming a Razzamataz franchisee has allowed me to make the move back to my hometown. This is my opportunity to build the life that I want around my business.”

 

What are you most looking forward to in becoming a Razzamataz Principal?

“I’ve loved working for Razzamataz South Lakes and feel proud watching the children grow in confidence and seeing how the school positively impacts the community. Having my name as the school’s Principal is going to be so gratifying and I can’t wait to build a future for myself. Developing into a leader and building my school to keep offering children wonderful opportunities is very exciting.” 

 

Did you have any initial worries or concerns?

“Investing my savings into Razzamataz is quite a bold move and being so young sometimes will be a challenge in terms of life experience. But through the training process, I know that I can turn my passion for performing arts into a profitable business. As a business owner, my life is going to be different, but I know there is so much support within the Razzamataz network.” 

 

What advice can you offer others considering investing in a franchise?

“Think about what you want for your future. Although everything feels daunting in the beginning, I can imagine in six months’ time I can sit back and think why was I worrying. I look at the other franchisees in the Razzamataz network and believe that there’s no reason why I can’t be just as successful.”

  

“This is my opportunity to build the life that I want around my business.”

 

Contact Amber at:

[email protected]

07429 824410

http://www.stocktonontees.razzamataz.co.uk

 

Profile:

Samantha Wingfield is the franchisee of Razzamataz Leighton Buzzard which she launched in September 2021. After just one term, which is 12 weeks, Samantha smashed our original business model of 85 students, surpassing this to more than 100. Samantha is well on her way to being the Principal of a flagship school. 

 

In the beginning 

“I trained in musical theatre and performing arts and after I graduated, I was lucky enough to travel the world performing on cruise ships, at Disney, on the West End stage, in TV and films. I was fortunate to play the leading role in the musical The Producers and I truly can say that I loved the industry and made some incredible memories. During lockdown, like many, I started to re-evaluate my life and I wanted to focus more on my home life. I’m getting married shortly so I wanted to settle down and that is when I thought about a career change.” 

 

Why Razzamataz

“My partner was a teacher at Razzamataz Medway, and I went to watch them perform. I loved the energy of the school and everyone who was involved spoke so highly of it. I always wanted a theatre school of my own and had started to explore the franchise route. As soon as I met the Founder Denise and Charlotte from the Head Office, I could see just how passionate they both were about the brand and the importance that performing arts bring into young people’s lives.” 

 

Why franchising

“I didn’t know lots about franchising, but I did know that I would be given a level of support and training. It is only after I attended the training that I realised just how much you get from Razzamataz. The fact that the website is there for you, all the legalities are in place means that you can get on with building your school without worrying that you have forgotten something important. Without Razzamataz, I really wouldn’t have known where to start.”   

 

Any worries or concerns 

“I have no business background so I did have lots of concerns but as soon as I started training and could see the support that I would get, everything just fell into place. Talking to Denise gave me so much reassurance and I just needed to look around the network to know that it is important to trust the journey, follow the guidance and training and use all the marketing tools. It clearly works because so many other Principals are successful.” 

 

Start of your journey 

“As soon as I met everyone from Razzamataz, I knew that this was the right thing for my life. Although the training was at times overwhelming, there is a lot of follow up from Head Office and support from other franchisees, so it all starts to fall into place. Of course, initially I was worried about getting students through the door, but I just kept listening to the advice from Head Office and doing what they suggested. Although I’m still newly opened, things are becoming easier already, and I’ve got a great work routine.” 

 

Typical day

“This role allows me to live the life I want. I go to the gym in the mornings and then come home and do a few hours work. I often go for a walk in the afternoon or meet friends and I love the flexibility that it offers. I’m never tied down and can work to my own schedule. If I choose to have a day out with friends, then I will work in the evening. I love having this control and it allows me to live exactly how I want to.” ]

 

Questions to ask a franchisor 

“Find out exactly how much support you are going to receive, this is vital to the level of your success. Be aware you are going to work hard, be passionate about the product, and make sure that the network shares this ethos.” 

 

What have you learnt?  

“I feel like I’ve learnt so much about myself. Being in the performing arts industry, you must be ambitious, but this is a different type of ambition, and I didn’t realise how much I wanted to have a successful business. I loved performing but equally I feel so lucky to have two careers that I’m so passionate about, not many people do.” 

 

Highlights and rewards

“I feel so privileged to see the children and be part of their lives and watch their confidence grow every week. There are so many opportunities within the Razzamataz network, including taking the children to perform at The Shaftesbury Theatre at the end of the year. I can’t wait to see them on stage, and I know it’s going to be emotional.” 

 

Looking to the future

“My original goal was to get to 100 students, now that I have done that I’ve set new targets to grow the school. I believe that we are helping young people in this community grow in confidence and learn crucial life skills. Over the next five years, I would love to open another school in a new territory and keep offering children unique opportunities to create lifelong memories.” 

“Without Razzamataz, I really wouldn’t have known where to start.”   

 

Contact Sam at:

[email protected]

07861 920367

Web: http://www.leightonbuzzard.razzamataz.co.uk

 

 

Meet multiple franchise owner with Razzamataz Theatre Schools Marc Kelly as he celebrates five years in the network and is about to launch his second territory.

 

What’s your background?

I’ve been a professional performer and theatre arts teacher all my life. I initially studied for a degree in musical theatre in Carlisle and then went on to the Guildford School of Acting. I’ve worked on cruise ships all over the world and then 10 years ago I found my love of panto and have been a ‘Dame’ every year since. 

 

How did you hear about Razzamataz?

While I was studying in Carlisle, I saw an advert for a drama teacher in the first Razzamataz school run by the MD and Founder Denise. I applied for the job and ended up working for both the Carlisle and Penrith schools. I was actually there during the time that Denise appeared on BBC’s Dragons’ Den and I remember teaching a drama class when Duncan Bannatyne came to visit. 

 

What business experience did you have?

While I was performing, I also ran a business producing musicals in London fringe theatres but it was a very different business to what I have with Razzamataz. The one thing that links them is that I adore both sectors but the theatre business was more of a passion project whereas Razzamataz is much more financially sound. It’s a privilege to be able to work in an industry that I love so much. 

 

What attracted you to the franchise sector?

I had always taught children in various drama, theatre or primary schools so I had loads of experience in that area. But I was looking for something that could offer me more long-term security so initially I did start researching if I could open my own theatre school. But the more I looked into it, the more I realised how hard it would be to build a brand from scratch. I loved my time at Razzamataz and everything they stood for and once I started to research what the franchise gave you, it just made total sense to go with them. The support and all the marketing materials that we receive was something that I just couldn’t have done on my own.

 

What are the most rewarding aspects of being a Razzamataz Principal?

After five years of being the Principal of Razzamataz Hackney, I still get so much joy from watching the children grow and becoming these incredible people. One of the proudest days of my entire life was watching the students perform on stage at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London. It is also incredibly rewarding watching the business grow and provide me with the lifestyle that I want, so much so that I’ve decided to purchase another territory and expand my business even further. From January 2020, I was able to give up my full time job and devote so much more time to Razzamataz, which has seen my student numbers shoot up. 

 

What are your challenges?

When I first launched Razzamataz Hackney, my personal circumstances completely changed and for the first few years, I has to combine running Razzamataz with a full-time job. Devoting enough time to the business was always an issue but I managed it and now the situation is so much better. 

 

What advice can you offer anyone considering a franchise? 

Don’t underestimate the time and effort it takes to be successful but if you have the commitment, it is a fantastic business. I love how flexible it is. I prefer working in the evenings, where I can sort out my social media and arranging events is something I love to do and can fit around whatever else I’m doing. I would hate the restrictions that a regular 9-5 job puts on you.

 

What are the benefits of being part of a franchise?

It has to be all the support and training that we get from our Head Office. I love the fact that all the marketing materials are there for you in the one place; you simply log on and download what you need. We also get lots of support from other franchisees in the network. I love being able to go to someone with a problem and equally it is great when you can help someone out. Although we have really grown in the last five years, we’ve not lost that family feel. Denise knows everyone really well individually and we all speak on a regular basis. During the pandemic, the Head Office was so diligent in helping us to move classes online and they thought of a solution for every potential problem before we launched, which was very reassuring. When we were allowed to reopen, Head Office made sure that every franchisee had everything that they needed to open in a Covid secure way. This allowed us to reassure all of our parents that all of the staff had undertaken training, we had the necessary safety equipment and their children would be safe with us. 

 

What’s a typical day like?

I don’t really have a typical day as I like the feeling of freedom and making choices based on what’s needed. I tend to have two to do lists on the go; one will be things that I enjoy doing and one that are jobs that are urgent. I always start each day with a fun task and then work my way through anything that is urgent. Over lockdown, I really got into walking and I now do a five mile walk every day. If I was in a 9-5 job, this isn’t something that I could just do so I really appreciate the flexibility that I have. 

 

How do you stay motivated? 

I think it is really important that you have someone that can be part of this journey with you. It could be a partner, family member or friend but having someone to bounce ideas off is really reassuring. For me, my mum is the person that I like to share ideas with. It’s great that she can look at it with fresh eyes and a different perspective and it’s important that you communicate with someone if you are having a day when your feel disheartened. Make sure you also have passionate teachers who share your commitment to the students. 

 

What are the most important things that you have learnt as a business owner

Firstly, keep a written record of everything; spreadsheets are your friends! As a performer, I’m pretty good at remembering lines and lyrics and sometimes I rely on that in terms of business. However, it is important to keep a written record and stay on top of your admin. Customer service is also the single most important part of running a businesses. At the moment, parents can’t come in or really share what the children are doing in class so it is up to me to have that communication with them. Since reopening for face to face classes, I’ve had a 100% conversation rate from taster to sign up students, which I’m really proud of. 

 

Future plans 

I’m really excited to be launching my second territory in September. I have performed eight times at the panto in Radlett so I know the area and community well. I will run Razzamataz Radlett and Hackney with an assistant Principal and split my time between the two. I feel a bit nervous about starting from scratch again but I’ve learnt so much that I can put into action, I feel really ready. Although I’m not a new franchisee, Head Office are once again holding my hands throughout the entire process so I feel reassured that nothing will be forgotten. 

 

Contacts

Principal Marc: 02081772052 / 07456868266

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Web: https://hackney.razzamataz.co.uk

 

Meet Claire Walford, Principal Razzamataz Yeovil and find out how Razzamataz gave her an option that she never would have dreamed was possible

 

Why a theatre school

A theatre school specifically wasn’t actually on my radar. However, my sister was working as a dance teacher at Razzamataz when the opportunity came up to take over the school. I’ve always loved performing arts, but it would never have crossed my mind that I could run my own theatre school until I looked into Razzamataz and understood that as a franchise, they would offer you a tool box of training and support that would teach you all you needed to know.

 

A better work/life balance

When my children were young, it was important to only take on a job that allowed me to be in the school playground at both ends of the day.

 

Why Razzamataz

. Without Razzamataz, I definitely wouldn’t have even thought this could be an option for me but by being part of the network, I have access to everything I need to know. The training continues to build at Razzamataz and it is responsive to the changing nature of business, for example pivoting online. The network is a very collaborative environment too. While we are like-minded in our belief that performing arts can teach children amazing life skills, we all bring different experience and skills to the table which we happily share to develop best practice.

 

Advice to others

If you have an interest in promoting children’s confidence and wellbeing and want a flexible business opportunity that is terrifically rewarding then Razzamataz is a great option.

 

Meet multiple franchise owner with Razzamataz Theatre Schools Zoe McKibbin from Glasgow. Zoe took over the Edinburgh school in 2016 and Glasgow South in 2018.

 

What’s your background?

I studied acting and performance and acting for stage and screen at college and university. My ambition was never to be a professional performer although I was in shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. My dream was that I wanted to work with children and the arts because I know how much it benefited me. I was an incredibly shy and anxious child and it was through performing arts that I found my confidence. My experience showed me how the arts could help with communication skills and general self-esteem and it was this knowledge that I wanted to pass on to children to make a real difference in their lives.

 

How did you hear about Razzamataz?

I had a friend who attended classes as a child so I had heard about Razzamataz but didn’t know very much about them. But through this friend, I was given some work experience which then led me to get a position as a drama teacher at Razzamataz Edinburgh.

 

What business experience did you have?

Absolutely none! I took over as the Principal of Edinburgh when I was just 24 and really didn’t see myself as being a business owner. However, I had taken on manager positions and I really enjoyed it so I felt that with the right training and support, this was something I could do.

 

What attracted you to the franchise sector?

. The Head Office team were there every step of the way and I found that it was such a supportive environment and I was encouraged to feel that I could ask anything. Everyone was so kind and there was a really strong sense that we were all working towards the same goal. Being so new to business, I did worry that I would ask a silly question or just get a little confused but I quickly found that we were encouraged to ask anything and the support from the team and other franchisees was very reassuring.

 

How has Razzamataz helped during the COVID pandemic?

I truly believe that without the support of Head Office, when COVID-19 hit, I would have closed down because I would have just been overwhelmed with everything that we had to do. I have friends who run their own independent theatre or dance schoolS and they felt really lost during COVID. The benefits of being part of the Razzamataz franchise has really shone through during the last six months. They give you information in really simple, digestible formats and they never overwhelm you.

 

What are the most rewarding aspects of being a Razzamataz Principal?

I truly love the community that I have built in my schools. It’s not just a club, it is really so much more than that because of the wonderful relationships I have built with the parents and families. There is a huge commitment and dedication from everyone involved and that’s what makes it feel like a family. I also love seeing the children every week and watching their confidence grow; I get so emotional during our shows that I cry at every one of them.

 

What are your challenges?

Running out of time! I’m passionate about what I do and there’s always so many things you can be doing to grow your business but I’ve learned that it is just as important to have a good work/life balance too.  It’s also not always easy to be a boss and sometimes that means making tough decisions but it’s something that I’m getting better at.

 

What advice can you offer anyone considering a franchise?

Know what you are going in to and do your research. Growing a business takes time so you need to be patient and think about how you are going to support yourself while giving your business enough time and energy. Make sure you understand the financial side of it too and also be prepared for ups and downs.

 

What are the benefits of being part of a franchise?

It has to be the wonderful support that we get and the way we are encouraged to step out of our comfort zone. We have had lots of training and webinars on business growth and recently we were all encouraged to be more present on social media and get involved with Live stories. This was definitely scary for me but because the whole network was doing it, it gave me the confidence to get involved. It is also really lovely that all of our achievements are celebrated. When you are having a down day, it is so helpful to speak to your support mentor who reminds you how far you have come.

 

What’s a typical day like?

During one of our regional meetings, we were encouraged to start the day with our least favourite task. That’s something that I have stuck to so I can get on with the other more enjoyable elements without feeling guilty. For me, that’s checking my emails so I do that first thing and then look at different aspects of the business; anything from the marketing through to checking on the finances. Every day is a little different but to keep on top of everything, I make sure that I write detailed To Do lists. One of the most important aspects is answering any questions from customers and there’s always lots to do on social media.

 

What have your learnt about yourself in business?

I can get quite stressed sometimes so it is important that I can call on my support mentor regularly as well as being able to lean on my team. What has surprised me is how much work I can actually handle. I also work part time in a primary school but by being organised, it is possible to get through everything. I delegate tasks when I need to and also I have learnt that if you need help, you should ask as people are always willing to lend a hand.

 

How do you stay motivated?

I try and set myself a goal every day and then I can celebrate the small wins, which I think is really important to keep motivation up. During training, we were told that there would be down times but to stick with it and you will get through it. Of course, how you feel can fluctuate, there will be highs and lows but I try and breath through it and remember that tomorrow is another day. Recently, I have been having issues finding a venue after lockdown but what got me through it were all the messages of support from parents.

 

Future plans

My reasons for running a theatre school have never changed and now I can see just how much it means to the children. I want to continue to increase student numbers in both schools and continue to offer the fun Razzamataz experience, where children can grow in confidence and have a wonderful time in a lovely family environment.

 

 

Join our network

We are currently looking to launch more theatre schools across the UK and overseas. If you would like to find out more about our ambitious growth plans and be part of multi-award-winning Razzamataz Theatre Schools network, drop Charlotte a line from our friendly Head Office team to book on to one of our virtual Discovery Dens.

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 077821122242

Meet multiple franchise owner with Razzamataz Theatre Schools Debbie Mitchell, who is the Principal of Razzamataz Carlisle and Razzamataz Dumfries.

 

About Razzamataz

Prior to the pandemic, we ran performing arts classes on a Tuesday evening and all day Saturday. We have students ranging in age from two to 18 and as well as the high level of training they receive in dance, drama and singing, we also offer lots of different opportunities, which are unique to Razzamataz. These include guest workshops and masterclasses with industry experts, opportunities to perform on a West End musical theatre stage and lots of really fun social events such as balls and countless opportunities to perform to their local communities. My office days were Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday  and Friday from roughly the hours of 10am-4pm where I would split my time between lesson planning, supporting teachers, advertising and marketing, speaking with parents and students and project planning. We also get a lot of different opportunities that come via our Head Office so organising the diary with exciting opportunities for the students is a huge part of the business.

 

Becoming a new mum in the pandemic

2020 presented very different challenges for my business and for me personally. I had my baby boy Alfie in June so that was another reason for me to really think about how efficiently I was working and what I could do to improve it. When we went into the first lockdown, I used it as an opportunity to reflect on the ways we were working and adapt to do things differently. We very quickly pivoted our model to take the classes online but it wasn’t just the Zoom classes, we had a number of additional activities that would keep families engaged. During the last 12 months, I’ve definitely realised that there are smarter ways of working by utilising technology and being better at time management and delegating more where I need to. By taking the business online, it has allowed me to really look at what traditionally has been working and what needs improvement for when we do return to face to face teaching. I’ve got a lot of fresh ideas about driving the business forwards and how we can grow stronger than ever before.

 

The benefits of being part of a franchise

Obviously everyone has taken a financial hit during the pandemic but in terms of comradery, support and people coming together, it has never been better. The lockdowns and the challenges that they caused have shown us the strength in the franchise network and how our Head Office really stepped up and supported us from day one. Although this was an overhaul that none of us expected, I believe that many in our franchise network will come out of it in a better position than before because of the new and innovative ways that we have been shown to work.

 

How to adapt to changing needs

We were in a fortunate position in that we were able to take our classes online but we also looked at other ways that we could utilise technology. Many of these processes have been much more efficient for us and our customers. We’ve been able to communicate with customers in a more efficient manner and streamline our recruitment and enrolment process by going almost entirely paperless. All enrolment is via the website and once children become our students we can share online resources via dropbox, which has eliminated the need for paper handouts. On a personal level, by hiring an assistant Principal, I’ve been able to continue to manage the business and be a new mum. In fact, I’m about to take over another territory at Dumfries, which is not something I could have done without this support.

 

 

What support should you expect from your franchisor?

There was a lot in terms of training, online sessions with coaches and experts and one to one support but the most valuable was the way they kept on top of the regulations and all the government guidelines. When these changed all the time and when the legislation was a little hazy in terms of what we could and could not do, it was very reassuring to know that they were supporting us to not fall into any of the gaps. This in turn made us confident that we were operating in a Covid-secure way and we could communicate that message positively to our customers.

 

A network of like-minded individuals

Over the last six months, our MD Denise launched the Mastermind Group for those in the network committed to moving their business forwards. We look at new initiatives that we can use for the entire network and how they can benefit individual franchisees and the franchise business as a whole. Being in this group has allowed me to communicate and liaise regularly with top performers and like-minded people in the network who want to innovate and progress at the same rate. It is lovely to speak to other franchisees, learn from them and just bounce ideas around. We keep pushing each other out of our comfort zones and explore ways to take Razzamataz to the next level providing even more great opportunities for Principals, staff and students.

 

The home/life work juggle

It’s always been a juggle running your own business and trying to keep work and home life separated but now pretty much everyone understands because most people are working from home. Now more than ever before, my partner sees now how much I’m trying to juggle as he’s also working from home. He fully supports me in pushing the business forward, which has enabled me to take over my second franchise territory.

 

The importance of time management

The last 12 months have made it very clear how important time management and structuring your working week is. Before having my baby and the challenges that have come from the pandemic, I could pick and choose what I wanted to focus on in my business and work however many hours I wanted to. I now set my hours and max out the time I have by working on the most important tasks first and then delegating where I need to.

 

Adapting with technology

There are quite a few elements of this new way of working that we will retain because it saves both us and the customer time. We will keep all the video tours online rather than spending time on a Saturday walking people around the school, which takes me away from other important jobs. We have also decided to keep one of our classes going online, which makes sense financially and practically for all involved. We shall also keep having our parent meetings via Zoom rather than trying to bring everyone together, which in the past has been difficult to organise. I’m also finding that the communication between our staff members is so much better. It is much easier to jump onto a Zoom call rather than sending dozens of emails so this is something that we shall be continuing in the future.

 

Why join Razzamataz Theatre Schools

I believe that with everything that happened in the last year, if I’d not been part of the Razzamataz franchise network, my business wouldn’t have survived. Having a baby and with all the changes and uncertainty, I think I would have been forced to look for another career because it would have been too overwhelming for me to have coped with it on my own. Having the franchisor and the other franchisees living and breathing the same thing as you day in and day out has been invaluable.

 

Join our network

We are currently looking to launch more theatre schools across the UK and overseas. If you would like to find out more about our ambitious growth plans and be part of multi-award-winning Razzamataz Theatre Schools network, drop Charlotte a line from our friendly Head Office team to book on to one of our virtual Discovery Dens.

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 07821122242

Meet Chloe Lee, franchisee of Razzamataz Chester. Chloe is currently on maternity leave and is looking forward to returning to her business that she can work flexible around her family

 

About Razzamataz

Razzamataz Chester is part of multi-award winning, Dragons’ Den backed Razzamataz Theatre Schools, established in 2000. Razzamataz Chester is a franchise run by Chloe Lee who celebrates five years of business and is about to renew her franchise agreement. The part-time theatre school offers excellent training in dance, drama and singing, preparing students for professional college and performance as well as giving them a huge range of life skills. Chloe relaunched the Chester school in 2016 when she was just 24, supported by a team of teachers who work professionally on the stage as well as in junior and senior schools.

What inspired you to set your business up?

I completed my professional dance and musical theatre training at the Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre, Liverpool and then worked for Razzamataz Overseas and as a teacher for three years at the Chester school.

I loved teaching but wanted a bigger challenge so when the opportunity came to take over the Chester school, I jumped at it.

Razzamataz has given me the balance of work and home life that I wanted. It’s given me financial security, I was profitable within the first month, and the chance to really make a positive impact on the lives of the young people in our area.

What would you say is unique about your business?

• As well as offering excellent training in the performing arts, we are a real community school.
• We make sure that we are fully inclusive and can give equal opportunities to all. Many other local theatre schools audition students to be in the show but we believe that every child should have the chance to shine.
• We make a huge effort to know our students and families at a personal level, which has been lovely over lockdown. I’m now pregnant and so many of our families are checking in with me to see how I’m doing.

What has been your greatest achievement so far?

• We managed to pivot the business to teaching online very quickly and successfully.
• However, it did have its challenges. One of our students really struggled with the dance online and found the co-ordination difficult and began to lose confidence and wanted to quit. I gave her virtual one to one sessions to support her and over time her self-belief grew. Her mum recently sent me a video of her nailing the dance and doing full online routines. The whole experience was very powerful in demonstrating resilience.
• Over lockdown, we did many fundraisers, including for Chester Zoo, which found itself really struggling due to the pandemic. The students dressed up for the day on zoom in animal costumes, many of which they had made themselves. It was lovely to see their creativity and we ended up with enough money raised that we could adopt an animal. Chester Zoo is a real pillar of our community so now we can say that we played a part in ensuring its survival.
• We stayed connected with our families that didn’t take part in the online classes by posting lots of dance challenges on social media, the T-shirt challenge and lots of free fun activities.
• Before lockdown, our greatest achievement was being part of the cast at the Razzamataz gala West End performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre. It was such a huge deal for our families and inspiring to be part of.

Do you have any plans for your business for the next 5 years?

• We loved making a difference to Chester Zoo so we will be looking at getting involved in more charities when we are able to.
• We have the venue that will allow us to continue to grow and we already have plans to expand our Minis and Junior classes.
• We know children have found lockdown very challenging so we are really excited to be able to offer the Life Skills Programme. Participation in the performing arts can improve a child’s prospects for whatever they want to do and we will be working on all of these important life skills in the next few months.

 

How to deal with challenges

• Personally, this year has been challenging for me. I’ve had to cancel my wedding twice and being pregnant in lockdown comes with a number of additional worries.
• Throughout this year, I have learnt that you have to take every day as it comes; you can have a down day but the next day you must pick yourself up and look at ways to drive your business forwards.
• I was very young when I took on the business and although I’ve learnt so much, it is important to never stop learning.
• Having a brand such as Razzamataz behind me has given me the confidence and opportunities to keep learning, keep providing wonderful opportunities for my students and keep the faith when challenges come my way.

 

Join our network

We are currently looking to launch more theatre schools across the UK and overseas. If you would like to find out more about our ambitious growth plans and be part of multi-award-winning Razzamataz Theatre Schools network, drop Charlotte a line from our friendly Head Office team to book on to one of our virtual Discovery Dens.

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 07821122242

Helen Bell, lives in Sheffield. A Young entrepreneur who launched Razzamataz Sheffield in 2012. 

Q. How did you hear about Razzamataz?

Helen: I first heard of Razzamataz though a friend who had completed the TUI (First Choice) contract on 2008. He mentioned that some of the schools in Cumbria were looking for a singing teacher so I emailed Denise and was lucky enough to get the job. Throughout my degree I worked in Dumfries, Whitehaven, Penrith, Durham & Carlisle and upon graduating got a job at Head Office. I have been with Razzamataz for 10 years now.

 

Q. What is your background in performing arts?

Helen: I always wanted to be a professional performer but in my second year of University I started to teach at Razzamataz and just feel in love with teaching. I decided that I didn’t want to move to London and audition and because I loved working with children, I toyed with the idea of becoming a primary teacher or setting up my own Theatre In Education group but neither option really excited me that much. Initially I didn’t want to open my own theatre school because it seemed like too much of an obvious choice but when it came down to it, it was really the only thing I felt passionate about.  

 

Q. What have the challenges been for you?

Helen: I combined launching Razzamataz Sheffield with continuing to teach for another Razzamataz school and working in Head Office. It was very challenging initially having to teach, drive back at night to Sheffield to market the school and then return to Carlisle to work at Head Office. I pretty much worked flat out for two years but it allowed me to see incredible growth in my school. I opened in September 2012 and currently have over 300+ students. 

 

Q. What have the benefits been for you as a Franchisee?

Helen: I’ve now got Razzamataz Sheffield to a place where I can take time off and still be financially OK. I became a mum 5 years ago and I knew that I could take off a full term and then return to work on a part-time basis. The business allows me to support myself as well as a large team including an assistant Principal. It is amazing to know that I never have to work a full week again if I don’t want to. I love my job but have learnt that it is also important to delegate and I’m excited to combine being a parent with running my own business. It’s all about creating the right balance and Razzamataz has allowed me to do that. 

 

Q. Can you tell us some ‘pinch me’ moments of being a Principal?

Helen: I remember watching our guest workshop with Ashley Banjo from street dance crew Diversity and being a little blown away. It was an incredible moment and I loved watching how the students responded to him. We also have the amazing opportunity to perform at Disneyland Paris again soon and I know that is going to be incredibly special. As well as these high-profile opportunities, I’m also very proud when I see our students perform locally in Sheffield. They recently did a parade in the town centre, it was raining and a bit cold but that didn’t put them off. It’s the little and big moments that are equally wonderful. 

 

Q. What are your proudest moments?

Helen: Every year there has been something amazing. In the early days, it was when we reached a milestone in our student numbers. We were on 50 students on day one and then 100 by the end of the first year, which was just incredible. I had to keep readjusting my goals because we kept smashing them earlier than I thought possible. I’m very proud to have been awarded the Most Outstanding School in our annual Conference for three consecutive years but it is probably on show day when I feel the most satisfaction. The annual shows take a lot of organising and planning for our whole team, but when you watch the children on stage and see how happy the parents and family are in the audience, you really feel like you have created something very special.

 

Q. What would your top tips be for anyone wishing to buy a Razzamataz Franchise?

Helen: I would say to others to not underestimate the time and effort you have to put in to be successful, especially in the early days. I did two years of consistent work and marketing until I was in the position to be able to afford to outsource some of the work. Although hard work is important, it is also imperative that you take some time out to recharge and come back with more energy and enthusiasm. Even today, I will take every opportunity that is available to me and my students to grow my business and create the best theatre school for my students and team.  

 

Hear from Helen here!

 

Michael French, lives in Watford, Hertfordshire. Michael is the Principal of Razzamataz Barnet, which opened in 2012.

 

Q. How did you hear about Razzamataz?

Michael: It after watching the television show Dragons’ Den in 2007 where Founder Denise Hutton-Gosney appeared and won the backing of Duncan Bannatyne. What really impressed me was the performance of the children and vitality of the pitch. It was really exciting to watch and always stuck in my brain and even back then it was something I thought looked inspiring to be a part of.

 

Q. What’s your background?

Michael: I started dancing when I was seven because it was something that my mum and sister did. When I was 16 I went to Performers College, where I got a lot of professional experience working with the likes of Goria Gaynor. I’ve been very fortunate and had a really successful career working in musicals such as 42nd Street, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Singin’ in the Rain as well as performing with Elton John, George Michael, Geri Halliwell and Michael Buble.

 

Q. Have you always wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Michael: I don’t have a business background so after deciding to retire it was the memories of Razzamataz on Dragons’ Den that set the wheels in motion. I was really inspired by the brand and the business model and because it is a franchise business we receive a lot of help and support from Head Office as well as on-going training so I can make Razzamataz Barnet the success that I believe it can be.

 

Q. How did you finance your business?

Michael: I lived and worked in Germany for four years where the system is to pay money into a state insurance policy. Being a foreigner, after a certain amount of years you can claim the money back and when I received my lump sum is was the right amount to cover the Razzamataz franchise fee.

 

Q. What are the best things about being a Razzamataz Principal?

Michael: After one term I can happily say it was seeing the end of term presentation. The work and effort that the students and teachers put into it and seeing the dedication from all involved made me feel incredibly proud

 

Q. What are the most difficult aspects of running your own business?

Michael: Being your own boss is great because you get to choose the hours you work but you do have to motivate yourself. Like any job, sometimes I don’t want to get out of bed and although I don’t have a boss to answer to you only have yourself to blame if the business doesn’t work. Fortunately I love what I do so most of the time I can’t wait to get started.

 

Q. What advice can you offer other people going into business?

Michael: . I’m not sure I realized how much time it would take to get set up as it literally took over 24/7 at the beginning. Although the initial frenzy has settled down now, I have a never-ending amount of jobs on my to do list because I’m committed to making the school the best that it can be.

 

Q. What’s a typical day like?

Michael: There is always so much to do each day that I can really loose all track of time! There are always a lot of admin tasks, calls to make and emails to send but there are also some really creative sides to the business including dreaming up exciting workshops to undertake and show cases for the students to perform in.

 

Razzamataz Barnet

Principal: Michael French
Email: [email protected]
Call: 07788592171