Running a Razzamataz Theatre School franchise means different things to different people. The flexibility of the model allows people at various ages and various stages the opportunity to run their business to best suit their needs. Within the franchise network, there are people who choose to run their business full time and have expanded to other territories and additional schools while other franchise partners, combine their school with other work, with many continuing to perform professionally.
Although every person in the network shares a love for performing arts, not everyone has a professional performing background with many franchise partners coming to us from a range of other jobs including teaching, accountancy and marketing and media. What attracts them all to Razzamataz is the opportunity to run a profitable business with full support and training in an expanding industry sector.
School teachers
It is no surprise that teachers are attracted to the Razzamataz franchise. They already enjoy working with children and young people, but many find that it is a career that doesn’t offer much life/work balance, especially if they go on to have their own family.
Mum of three Debbi Ledwith, Principal Razzamataz Newbury launched in 2015, alongside continuing her teaching work in a secondary school. From day one, she fell in love with her business, and we are delighted and immensely proud that Debbi has now been able to transition from being a teacher to being a full-time entrepreneur at Razzamataz.
“My days and my life in general are so much more flexible now. There’s nothing I don’t like about running a business and Razzamataz has given me creative freedom, whereas teaching in a school is a lot more prescriptive. It’s a real pleasure to be my own boss and I love being organised and being in control of every part of the business.”
James Pennell and Esmé Tutill took over Razzamataz Newcastle in November 2020. The couple combine owning Razzamataz Newcastle with other commitments. James is a secondary school teacher and private vocal coach, and Esmé works in a school with children who have additional needs.
“Although we are recent university graduates and work long hours in schools, with the support of the Head Office and network, we knew we could make it work. For us as franchisees, the opportunities that come from being part of a recognised brand is also extremely beneficial. There are so many amazing opportunities that we can share with our students. We’ve taken them to perform at Her Majesty’s and the Shaftesbury Theatres in the West End.”
Lauren Bill opened Razzamataz Weymouth in September 2011, combining it with working as a teacher in a special needs school and a dance lecturer at a local college. In 2015, she decided to concentrate on building her business full time. “With the support I received from Head Office, I was able to make this transition and my work now fits in around my life as a mum. Although I have had lots of changes to my life personally by getting married and becoming a parent, my business is flexible and can fit around my lifestyle.”
Singers, dancers and actors
The life of a performer provides little financial security, which is why many are attracted to the Razzamataz network. They can use their knowledge and passion for performance and build a financially successful business, while continuing to work as an actor, singer or dancer. The flexible model and tried and tested systems and processes gives them the best of both worlds.
Michael French opened Razzamataz Barnet in 2012. Today he combines running his successful theatre school with running a football franchise and continuing to work as a professional actor, recently appearing on the big screen in Barbie.
“I had absolutely no business experience but that it why I went down the franchise route. I knew nothing about advertising, building a market, creating a customer base, retaining customers or all the other things that it takes to build a school. As well as Razzamataz, I also run a football franchise and still work professionally, although I pick and choose my jobs because my focus is on the businesses. The huge benefit with Razzamataz is that it is so flexible and can be worked around other commitments.”
Marc Kelly opened Razzamataz Hackney in 2016 and Razzamataz Radlett in 2021. He continues to work as a performer, most recently appearing on Britain’s Got Talent as part of the pantomime dame group Dame Nation.
“There are so many other things to running a theatre school than what is on the surface. I chose Razzamataz because it has a brilliant brand model and fantastic brand awareness.”
Professional positions
From accountants to marketing professionals, the Razzamataz franchise opportunity attracts people looking to take back control over their lives. Perhaps they are fed up with the 9-5 commute or maybe they want to work hard and build something where their success is reflected in their earnings, whatever the case, you can run your own Razzamataz theatre school even without performing arts training.
Claire Walford opened Razzamataz Yeovil in 2011, having been an accountant all her working life. After having her children and being diagnosed with chronic fatigue, she decided to step away from accountancy to do something new.
“I had been working in a managerial capacity and understood how to recruit people so although I didn’t have performing arts skills myself, and wouldn’t be able to teach the classes, I felt confident that I had the knowledge needed to recruit the best people. By choosing the franchise route, it is possible to start a business even if you don’t have a background in it, which is very exciting for lots of people who are looking to start something new.”
Felicity Clifton, Co-Principal of Razzamataz Romford, Hornchurch and Dagenham decided to swap the corporate lifestyle of a fashion buyer to focus on her passion for performing arts and inspiring the next generation.
“I’m very much over the London commute and lack of work-life balance. I knew that all my experience of management in big and small companies would be the right foundation to run my own school but being part of the Razzamataz network is more than I could have imagined. I adore children and communicate with them better than adults most of the time! I want to make a difference in their lives through building their confidence.”
