At Razzamataz, supporting our franchisees in their business is something that we don’t take lightly. Recently, our Creative Director Emily visited new Principal Tori at her Oxford school, offering hands-on guidance and insight as she begins her journey.
With a minimum of 10 in-person Quality Assurance Visits planned this year, this level of support represents a significant investment, but one we know is essential. These visits allow us to work closely with our franchisees while also protecting the high standards that define the Razzamataz brand, ensuring consistency and quality across the entire network.
Meet our Creative Director Emily
Emily’s story is a true reflection of the opportunities within Razzamataz. She started on the opening day of Razzamataz Medway as a teaching assistant, progressed to a teacher, and went on to become a joint owner of the business. Now part of the Head Office team, Emily continues to share her expertise across the network, while also running her own coaching business and remaining deeply connected to the performing arts industry she is so passionate about.
1/) How do you support franchisees during Quality Assurance Visits?
I have experienced Razzamataz from all angles and my coaching allows me to approach situations with curiosity, openness, growth and a balance between mindset and actions for the business owner. I always meet the franchisee with no previous expectations and adjust my approach based on their response. My experience as a teaching assistant, teacher, admin assistant, assistant principal and owner allows me to shine a light on multiple points of view from process, product, finance and people. I continuously switch between my creative head to my commercial viable head and I love that I can pull on these areas. Working for HO allows me to consider not just what is happening at the school, but also how it meets the brand guidelines, consistency, standards and expectations of the whole network.
2) How to ensure every school delivers the same high-quality Razzamataz experience?
This requires the right people in the right roles, a strong strategy and vision, clear lesson plans, aims and objectives and compelling, fun, learner-centered content. Beyond this, I believe the franchisee’s mindset should be creative. This allows them to see opportunities, not limitations, solutions not problems; and possibilities, not restrictions. This all comes down to creativity in your perspective, your willingness to explore options and your ability to guide people to do the same. For the school to thrive, creativity should be integrated into all areas of the business; I challenge and work with each franchisee to achieve this during the visits.
3) Why are these visits important for the franchisee and long-term strength of the brand?
Quality Assurance Visits help franchisees grow their schools dynamically. It is a collaborative process and I ask them to utilise me in every way they can whilst I am there. This is an opportunity to celebrate their work to reach this point; it is also a chance to strengthen some areas and challenge others that may not have been a focus until this point. I am very hands on and am always willing for the franchisee to observe me in any situation during the visit. I don’t just challenge the business, I challenge the person leading it, which supports the Razzamataz Brand’s ethos of supporting people at every level of the business. Long term I believe this strengthens consistency and raises any challenges early in the business so we can provide support and create an action plan.
And the results
We asked Tori to explain what it means to her as a theatre school owner to receive this high level of support from someone who really does understand every single element of the business.
It was amazing to have Emily join us in Oxford and to see how excited she was for us. Her expertise and wisdom is invaluable to us and we can’t wait to implement the comments she suggested during her visit. This support not only helps us to grow into an amazing school, but also shows the care that Razzamataz offers to all of their schools across the country which is lovely to receive.
We want our school to be one that pushes, nurtures and values our students and Emily’s hands-on feedback is invaluable to helping us achieve this. It’s so helpful to have an outsider with so much creativity and knowledge oversee our school and offer really helpful and achievable goals.
Curious to find out more about Razzamataz
Book a Discovery Den to learn more about franchising, Razzamataz and support offered: https://www.razzamataz.co.uk/discovery-dens/
