It’s been a while since I last introduced myself…
With the exciting news of our international launches in Dubai and Ireland, we’ve welcomed so many new followers, so I thought now would be the perfect time for a little reintroduction. I’m Denise, the Founder and Managing Director of Razzamataz Theatre Schools, proudly celebrating 25 years of inspiring and educating thousands of children and young people through performing arts. The start of the journey looked very different to where we are today. In fact, there was no fancy business plan or five years growth targets, I just simply loved the performing arts and wanted to share it with as many young people as possible. The growth of the business was very much organic, we built slowly and sustainably and found people who shared our passion for the arts.
In fact, while the core Head Office team has remained the same, with new members joining through the Razzamataz ranks as former students or work experience placements, the team as a whole has grown even more experienced, achieving additional qualifications and bringing valuable insights from other industries back into Razzamataz. To complement our wonderful senior team, we regularly work with industry professionals in many fields such as safeguarding, Health & Safety, PR and digital marketing and these relationships ensure we can provide our franchisees with up-to-date training, guidance, and resources that keep our schools running safely, efficiently, and creatively.
Having this strong team around me has not only been imperative for the business to grow but has also provided me with much-needed support as I’ve faced various personal challenges. Alongside my own health complications, I experienced difficulties conceiving my second child and went through several miscarriages. Then, when my son was just two, he was diagnosed with the life-changing condition of Type 1 diabetes.
Many of our franchisees also juggle running their businesses while navigating life’s challenges, which is why from the very beginning, we made it a priority to build flexibility into the Razzamataz model. We wanted to create an opportunity that could adapt to different lifestyles and personal circumstances, allowing people to enjoy a rewarding and profitable career without having to sacrifice the truly important things in life.
Today, as we celebrate our 25-year milestone, we are looking to the future with renewed energy. With our international launches in Dubai and Ireland, we are providing even more outstanding opportunities for our students while continuing to grow our UK network, which now spans 80 schools. Our charity, the Future Fund, supports more students every year to study performing arts at a vocational level through grants, helping them achieve their dreams. At the same time, we continue to innovate to ensure our schools keep pace with the times.
It’s a huge source of pride to see not only the growth and confidence of our students, but also the success of individuals who are passionate about the arts, building personal and financially rewarding businesses. While I couldn’t have predicted this growth 25 years ago, what started as something small has blossomed into a powerful network that supports young people to find their confidence and gives others the opportunity to pursue a meaningful and financially rewarding career.
