Work life week: getting the balance right
This year, National Work-Life Week 2017 will take place on the 2nd to 6th October and gives the opportunity for both employers and employees to focus on well-being and creating a good work-life balance.
As the stresses of modern life prevail, more and more people are deciding that their priority is their wellbeing and not career progression. But you can have both as owners of a part-time theatre school franchise explain.
“Having the flexibility of putting in the hours I want, when I want, has enabled me stay in the industry I love and has allowed me to continuing performing,” explains Michael French, franchisee owner of Razzamataz Barnet. “I would recommend a franchise business to anyone who is looking into opening a business but has no knowledge of how to do it. The biggest benefit of being part of a franchise is having a helping hand as to how, where, why and when we do things.”
For many franchisees, the opportunity to work from home or their chosen location is also a major benefit. The average UK employee who commutes now spends almost 53 minutes per day on the journey to and from work. This accounts for four hours and 24 minutes per week for the typical full-time employee. Londoners have the longest average commute at 75 minutes.
“When I look at other mums at the school gates, dashing to and from work, I realise how lucky I am,” explains Claire Blower, franchisee owner of Razzamataz Mansfield and Nottingham. “I do something I absolutely love which fits around my main job ‘being mum!’ Working from home benefits family life with the small things too. Being able to hang the washing out and prepare the evening meal are very simple things which can become much more stressful when you’re away from home all day.”
For parents, getting the balance right is even more of a priority as Debbi Ledwith, formerly Head of Performing Arts at a school in Basingstoke, explains. “Due to a change in my personal circumstances, I wanted to spend more time with my three young children, and needed more flexibility in my working life than teaching could give me,” says Debbi.
A friend of Debbi’s introduced her to Razzamataz and after meeting the Head Office team, she decided to invest in her own theatre school franchise. “I love having my own business and being my own boss,” says Debbi. “I am working towards the position where I can do it full time, so that I can really devote my creative mind to growing my school. My three children attend Razzamataz and are really enjoying it. I am able to do my work when they are in bed, so I don’t lose any time with them.”
With the advent of modern technology, workers can make anywhere an office and find a structure that suits their lifestyle. Pam Dixon, grandmother of five and Principal of Razzamataz Dumfries spent the majority of her working life as a hairdresser and as a receptionist in a busy salon. “For anyone thinking that it is too late to change their careers I would say step out of your comfort zone and just do it,” says Pam. “I love being able to help my children and spend time with my grandchildren. Being a Razzamataz Principal allows me to do a job I love but it also really suits my lifestyle.”
Razzamataz is thrilled to have a wide range of franchisees within the network. These include mums combining bringing up their children with a rewarding career, college graduates, retired performers and those looking to change direction in their work life.
For new franchisees, Razzamataz has a special offer of just £7,995 (£2,000 saving) to launch a Razzamataz theatre school. Plus, until the end of 2017, Razzamataz will pay your VAT – a saving of around £1,600 and your first term management fee is free. To find out more, contact Suzie McCafferty on E:suzie@razzamataz.co.uk or call 07793 054 233. For more details visit: www.razzamataz.co.uk