“Becoming a Razzamataz franchisee is incredible. I would say to others, do it, you don’t know what you are missing out on.”
Profile: Amber Jones, age 27, is the franchisee of Razzamataz Bournemouth, a new school within the network. Having attended performing arts college, specialising in dance, Amber secured a positioned with flagship school Razzamataz Medway, teaching various classes.
How did you hear about Razzamataz? “A friend who worked at Razzamataz Medway asked me to cover her role while she went off on a dance contract for six months. I loved it so much that when the time was up, I was delighted when the Principals found additional work for me. I had come from a traditional dance school background, but just fell in love with the Razzamataz ethos of inspiring confidence in children and allowing them to have fun while learning performing arts. When Hayley, one of the school’s Principals spoke to me about the possibility of opening my own Razzamataz, I was very excited.”
What business experience did you have?
“I studied business at school and was the co-owner of production company although I focused more on the creative side, so really very little practical experience. I had always wanted to open my own school but initially, I thought it would be more of a traditional dance school. But from teaching at Razzamataz, I knew that this was exactly the sort of school I wanted to inspire young people.”
What attracted you to the franchise sector?
“I had a vague knowledge of franchising through school, but I’ve been blown away by the amount of support I’ve received at Razzamataz. It makes so much more sense to follow the tried and tested formula of a franchise rather that starting from scratch. It is also so comforting that where I have gaps in my knowledge, there is someone there to guide me and help me learn.”
How was the process of deciding to become a franchisee?
“As a former performing arts student, I have amassed some student debts to pay for my training. This did make me a little nervous about investing in a business, but I gave myself goals to save up the money and Head Office have been helpful allowing me to follow a payment plan. So far, I’ve not needed to borrow any additional funds so it’s possible for many other graduates.”
How has the initial training and support been?
“The training week is a bit of a rollercoaster because you realise just how much it takes to run a successful school. But Denise and Charlotte in the Head Office have been amazing, and I’ve already made great links with the other franchisees. Everyone talks about the Razz Family, but it is only when you are part of it you realise how true this is and how we all have each other’s backs.”
What are your goals
“The first thing is to establish the Razzamataz brand in Stockton and ensure people understand why we are here and what we can do for children and young people. I then want to aim to be part of the 100 club (100 students) because I was part of the team that helped Asha grow so quickly at South Lakes so I have seen first-hand how it can be done and I don’t see any reason why I can’t do the same in Stockton.”
How do you hope Razzamataz will fit into your lifestyle?
“I’m excited that becoming a Razzamataz franchisee has allowed me to make the move back to my hometown. This is my opportunity to build the life that I want around my business.”
What are you most looking forward to in becoming a Razzamataz Principal?
“I’ve loved working for Razzamataz South Lakes and feel proud watching the children grow in confidence and seeing how the school positively impacts the community. Having my name as the school’s Principal is going to be so gratifying and I can’t wait to build a future for myself. Developing into a leader and building my school to keep offering children wonderful opportunities is very exciting.”
Did you have any initial worries or concerns?
“Investing my savings into Razzamataz is quite a bold move and being so young sometimes will be a challenge in terms of life experience. But through the training process, I know that I can turn my passion for performing arts into a profitable business. As a business owner, my life is going to be different, but I know there is so much support within the Razzamataz network.”
What advice can you offer others considering investing in a franchise?
“Think about what you want for your future. Although everything feels daunting in the beginning, I can imagine in six months’ time I can sit back and think why was I worrying. I look at the other franchisees in the Razzamataz network and believe that there’s no reason why I can’t be just as successful.”
“This is my opportunity to build the life that I want around my business.”
Join our team
We are looking for dynamic partners to own a Razzamataz Theatre School. If you are looking to make a difference in your local community to the lives of young people and you have a passion for performing arts, we would love to hear from you.
Re-sale opportunities
Occasionally franchise territories come up for re-sale due to a change in the franchisees’ personal circumstances or simply because they have decided to sell their asset and reap the rewards of their hard work. These re-sale schools very rarely stay on the market for long, so if you are interested, don’t delay in contacting us. Re-sale schools in:
- High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
- Derby, East Midlands
If you would like to find out more about our ambitious growth plans and be part of multi-award winning Razzamataz Theatre Schools network, drop Charlotte a line from our friendly Head Office team to book on to one of our virtual Discovery Dens.
Email: franchise@razzamataz.co.uk