Unless you’ve been living under a rock, chances are you will be very familiar with the hit movie Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig. Alongside Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and Dua Lipa, was Michael French, franchisee of Razzamataz Barnet.
Michael has been part of the successful Dragons’ Den backed network for twelve years and is getting set to launch his second school in Potters Bar. This is his story.
A bit about me
I trained as a singer, dancer and actor and was lucky enough to work in musical theatre in the West End and perform all over the UK and overseas. I became part of the Razzamataz network in 2012 and then six years ago, I invested in a football franchise. Alongside these businesses, I continued to work professionally in the performing arts industry and I’m also a dad to my young son Miles.
Why open a second school
I’m originally from Hertfordshire so it feels great to be bringing my business to the area. Since joining Razzamataz, I’ve constantly looked to find ways of expanding but ultimately now feels like the right time because I have the support of my amazing team of teachers and team members.
Balancing roles
Running multiple businesses and being a parent means that delegation is a big part of my life. Building a team means investing in my people, creating a culture where they feel supported and can progress their careers. I’m also going to be collaborating with another Razzamataz Principal who lives locally to where my new school is in Potters Bar, which is a real testament to the franchise structure and what a supportive network we are.
What do you love about your job
Being my own boss means that I can decide when and how I work, which has allowed me to take advantage of incredible opportunities. But aside from how it fits into my lifestyle, being a Razzamataz Principal is incredibly rewarding. We have just finished our annual showcase and the feedback from parents has been overwhelming. One family got in touch to say that their daughter has been going through a very difficult time but seeing her on stage was the first time that she looked like she was back to her old self and believe that Razzamataz has completely changed her life for the better.
Tell us about Barbie
I got a call from an agent that I hadn’t heard from in a while and my initial thought was that it was going to be some sort of animation. The original part was for a Ken type character but I laughed and explained that I was in my 40s so that was probably not right for me. The agent then got back to me with another part, as a Mattel Executive and they were looking for men who could dance in a Gene Kelly style. I’m an experienced tap dancer but hadn’t been seriously auditioning for a long time so I honestly didn’t think I stood a chance. I got down to the final audition that was held at the Warner Bros. studio and in walked Greta Gerwig, which was a big surprise. It was incredible when I was told I had the part and it really has been a career high with so many of our students loving seeing me in the role.
Goals for the new Potters Bar school
We will be bringing the same high level of performing arts education to Potters Bar, together with our supportive family environment. In Barnet, is has been wonderful to discover new talent such as Tamara Smart who has been incredibly successful as a professional actress starring in Netflix’s “A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting” and Disney’s “Artemis Fowl“, as well as BBC’s TV show “The Worst Witch“. It would be amazing to uncover more gems in Potters Bar. Ultimately though I would love for more young people to benefit from the incredible life skills that come from participating in performing arts. Whether that is building confidence, growing resilience or learning about teamwork, there are so many hidden benefits that can be gained.
Engaging with community
This is a really important part of being a Razzamataz Principal and I’m proud that we support our local PTA’s by offering various gift vouchers. We also work in collaboration with schools by teaching performing arts during any creative weeks to offer our expertise and experience in the arts. We will also be looking to get involved in local charities and support where we can.
Advice to others
In the early days, running a Razzamataz is really full on but if you take a long-term approach then you can have a successful business that gives you financial freedom and the time to pursue your other goals. I’ve used the tools that Razzamataz offers to build a business that works exactly around my needs so I can do the nursery run, go for a dog walk and do some exercise to fit my schedule entirely. It’s a bit cliché but if you do something that you are passionate about, it really doesn’t feel like a job at all.
Words to live by
Every day is a school day.
Make a difference to young lives in your community
Join us in time for our 25th Anniversary celebrations at The Eiffel Tower, Paris next September! Current fee is £12,995 plus VAT or ZERO upfront fee with a flat fee return, ask us about this! Every now & again we have resale opportunities, please contact us to find out more!
Training takes place regularly at the Razzamataz Head Office in the beautiful Lake District and Flagship school Razzamataz Carlisle.
Choreograph your future with us: train, teach, own
Join us at Pineapple Dance Studios, London on Sunday 29th September, for a completely FREE professional development day & meet the founder & our team to talk about opportunities to train with us, teach with us, own with us!
Email [email protected] by 1st July for more information as places are limited!
