“I’ve experienced first-hand the profound effect that Razzamataz had on my autistic daughter and knew I wanted to share this with other families.”
Meet Chaneen Bragg, new Principal of multi-award winning Razzamataz South Lakes, and learn how she is navigating being mum to three children while building a business that best fits her lifestyle.
In the beginning
My background is in education and professional studies but I also danced in competitions from the age of just three up to being an adult. I have three children aged 15, 13, 5 and have been involved with Razzamataz since my middle daughter was just four. She was originally at the school in West Cumbria but when we moved, one of the first things we did was sign her up to the Penrith school. It’s really the only thing she’s ever stuck to and as a young person with autism, being a part of Razzamataz has done so much for her confidence. When she was around the age of eight, someone asked her why she loved it and her response was that it was a place she could go to and be herself without feeling judged.
Professionally, Razzamataz has been significant in my life because I have been a Razzamataz teacher for the past four years, teaching across all three disciplines of dance, drama, and singing and working with every age group as well as coordinating and running all of our holiday, school, and nursery clubs.
The lightbulb moment
I truly understand the appeal of Razzamataz from both the parent and teacher perspective so when the opportunity came to take over the South Lakes school, it just felt like the right thing to do. I have had so many ideas from a teaching perspective and really wanted the chance to take on more of a leadership role so I could continue to make a difference in the lives of children and their families by being as inclusive as possible. Having access to the arts has really transformed my children. For my daughter, it has built her self-belief as well as giving her the tools to have a much better understanding of social situations. For my son, who was a lockdown baby, the Early Years classes have been so beneficial to build his social interactions and give him more confidence, and I knew there would be so many more families like ours who could benefit from Razzamataz.
Why franchising
Over the years, I had actually looked into various franchises but I didn’t connect with any of them in the same way I connected with Razzamataz. A few years ago, I actually attended a Razzamataz Discovery Den and while the support and training that was offered really stood out to me, it just wasn’t the right time for me personally. Although I have been self-employed before, I’ve never run a business on this level so the knowledge, training and support offered has been very welcomed. Even as a teacher, I truly appreciated the support from Head Office, from organising events like the Creative Development Days to providing online training that offered valuable opportunities for CPD.
Starting the journey
The support and training has been impeccable. Head Office are always available to answer questions and point you in the right direction, which has been invaluable to me. Although it is early days, I’ve felt very supported in the challenges that I’ve faced. Whether it is practical advice to answer specific questions or just a ‘how are you doing’ text, it’s been lovely to know that they are with me on this journey and I don’t have to figure it out all on my own.
Overcoming challenges
As I’ve just taken over, I’m working on making a few adjustments to better fit my lifestyle. I have a large customer base so this will be done in small tweaks to reflect a working week that better suits my family. But I can already say that I feel like I have more freedom. If there’s an emergency or one of the kids is ill, I have a great team around me and I can delegate and prioritise my family, this makes me feel like I have less pressure on me.
One of the most reassuring aspects of being part of a network like Razzamataz is knowing that challenges are simply a natural part of running a business. The support and guidance I’ve received have given me the confidence to handle them with resilience. It’s a lovely, honest approach which has given me a lot of encouragement and assurance.
Highlights and rewards
I’m already starting to put my stamp on the school in terms of the value and culture, which is something very important to me to nurture and develop. I’ve arranged several community performances for the students, as I want to give them as many opportunities to perform as possible. While it’s wonderful that we can offer incredible opportunities overseas, such as Disneyland Paris, New York, and performing on London’s West End stages, these experiences aren’t accessible for every family or child. That’s why I am committed to creating meaningful local opportunities that allow every student to build confidence and experience the joy of performing.
The Razzamataz ethos
Razzamataz is very different from many after-school activities. While we encourage children to step out of their comfort zones, we do so in a gentle, supportive way, making it an ideal environment for children who are shy or nervous. I also have extensive experience working with children with autism or ADHD, and I understand how crucial it is to involve families in their personal growth. By working collaboratively with parents and families, we ensure every child can achieve their full potential, whether on the stage or in their personal development.
Looking to the future
I’m very fortunate that Razzamataz South Lakes has such strong foundations, and I’m excited to build on that by deepening our connections with both our students and their families. I want Razzamataz to be even more inclusive, not just for the children, but for parents too, helping them fall in love with what we do and see it as a meaningful part of family life. We’re achieving this by involving families more through our newsletters and communications, and by bridging the gap between what happens in class and at home, so everyone feels connected, informed, and part of the Razzamataz journey.
Curious to find out more about RazzamatazBook a Discovery Den: https://www.razzamataz.co.uk/discovery-dens/
