Dreaming big at franchise Conference

If you run your own business or have aspirations to do so, you will know that the age old saying that genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration is definitely true.

To be successful, you will need to dig deep, push outside of your comfort zone and do what you never thought possible. So, this year’s Conference theme #BelieveInYou was fitting as a motivational moto for the Razzamataz students as well as the franchisees.

Razzamataz Theatre Schools takes pride in supporting all Principals during their whole journey with the franchise business. From those that have just started out to those that are enjoying more than ten years as Razzamataz Principals, the Conference is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to gain new skills and bring back lots of new ideas to implement in their own schools.

The highlight for many at this year’s Conference was a motivational session led by Brian Costello from Headstrong, accumulating in a Fire Walk. So how do you teach someone to walk on fire? The answer was to get them to do something else totally outside of their comfort zone, in this case break a wooden spear with their neck.

“I pushed myself way out of my comfort zone and I think I experienced every emotion possible from nerves and fear to excitement and happiness,” says Kayleigh Redford, Principal of Razzamataz Newcastle. “I learnt so much, not only from the amazing guest speakers but from speaking to everyone in the Razzamataz family. Just goes to show you, Razzamataz positive life experiences are not just for the children.”

The whole session was designed to show franchisees that in business, while we all fear and worry about doing certain things, we can overcome it if we have the right mindset and that is something that we can all work on. Many Principals reported that they will now go and tackle the things that are holding them and their business back to make for an exciting 2017.

To run a successful theatre school, a key ingredient is planning a meticulous marketing campaign. Razzamataz has been working with Michael Berkin, Founder and Managing Director of Professional Dance Experience for a number of years and was delighted to welcome him to the Conference to talk through the latest techniques to promote summer schools.

There are also a number of new Razzamataz products: Razz Fit and Razz Project Intense and the Conference was the perfect platform to showcase them both. The company is also delighted to launch a new Business Management System, aptly named RazzBiz.

“All of the speakers were informative and I found Michael’s talk on Summer School marketing particularly useful,” says Emma-Louise Campbell, Principal of Razzamataz Cambridge. It was great to review the year, find out the progress of RazzBiz following on from Regionals, as well as hearing more about Razz Fit and Razz Project Intense from Helen and Hayley. I know you said this Conference would be the best but this one really was the best - until next year of course!”

Throughout the Conference, there was a strong focus on dreaming big and stepping outside of your comfort zone. From the nitty gritty of cash flow through to supporting students in professional work by understanding the rules and regulations around child protection, there was advice and support around every area of theatre schools.

“Thank you for an amazing day, my favourite Conference yet,” says Helen Bell, Principal of Razzamataz Sheffield. “What a fantastic and unique opportunity to be given.”

After such a busy day, another highlight this year was a wonderful evening performance by the students of Razzamataz Carlisle who were selected to entertain all the Principals during the Awards celebration, where they chose to perform mini musicals from both Matilda and Annie.

To conclude a truly wonderful day and night, the Awards ceremony was a chance for everyone to congratulate the franchisees on their successes of 2016.

The Franchisee of the Year Award is the much sought after award of the evening and the judges were looking for someone who shows above and beyond commitment. For the second year running, Hayley Limpkin, Principal of Razzamataz Medway was delighted to accept on behalf of her students and teachers.

“The winner of this Award never fails to surprise us and the visions, values and beliefs that our winner represents has created an environment where every one of her students and her team flourish,” says Denise Hutton-Gosney, MD and Founder of Razzamataz. “Hayley has an impeccable eye for detail and has the gift of sharing her experiences with our entire network in such an easy and approachable manner. No one can be in any doubt how passionate she is in creating the next generation of performers; you only need to see a snippet of one of her shows and you would think you were watching a Broadway blockbuster rather than a part time theatre school in Kent.”

If you would like to join our network of amazing Principals, there is just a few weeks left to take advantage of our £6,000 saving. Speak to us to find out how we can help you get 2017 off to a flying start. Who knows, you may be joining us at our Conference in 2018.

If you want to find out more about becoming a franchisee of your own part-time Razzamataz Theatre School, make an appointment to come along to one of the regular but informal Discovery Den days in London, Glasgow or Sheffield to find out more about this exciting and flexible business opportunity. To book a place contact Head of Franchisee Recruitment Suzie McCafferty on suzie@razzamataz.co.uk or call Suzie on 07793 054 233. For more details visit: www.razzamataz.co.uk

Who won what
Best New Franchisee: Kayleigh Redford from Newcastle

Brand Ambassador: Michael French from Barnet

BelieveInYou Award Frances Nicholson from Hampstead

Rebecca Rennie Award for Outstanding Contribution: Pam Dixon from Dumfries and Charlotte Young from West Cumbria

Business Builder: Helen Bell from Sheffield

Best Marketing Campaign: Nick Furlong and Gemma Hextall from Sutton

One To Watch: Emma Louise Campbell from Cambridge

Best Showcase and Best Community Spirit Awards: Debbie Mitchell from Carlisle

Most Outstanding School and Best Team Member: Helen Bell, Sheffield

Best Customer Service: Alison Beveridge from Durham

Franchisee of The Year Award: Hayley Limpkin from Medway