Putting on a show at the annual Dragons’ Den backed franchise conference

In the pursuit for outstanding, a Dragons’ Den backed theatre school franchise

went above and beyond at their recent annual conference. With a No Business Like Show Business theme, the Head Office team went to town and pulled out all the stops to create a Conference where franchisees were able to hone their skills, network with their colleagues, listen to the latest PR, marketing and social media advice and enjoy the wonderful entertainment that was laid on.

The Razzamataz Conference and Awards night is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the network over the year. Razzamataz has been operating as a franchise for 13 years and during the Conference, the network was able to celebrate the many anniversaries of the franchisees including a number of five-year ones, ten years and even 12 years. In fact, only circa 2% of franchisees do not renew their agreement.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the day is actually hearing about the successes and challenges that Principals face on their day to day journeys. Keeping with the show theme, Phil Cole, Principal of Razzamataz Leeds spoke about his professional background with joint Principal Jude Hill. Both Principals have long and varied careers on stage and TV and explained how they are using this experience to inspire their young students and create a PR and marketing buzz. Next to speak was Charlotte Olivares who explained her journey from work experience student at Razzamataz Medway to the Principal of Razzamataz Maidstone, a thriving business that has students currently in professional work on the West End stage. She also explained how being a Razzamataz franchisee has enabled her to leave her full-time job as a school teacher to pursue her dreams of being a theatre school owner and find a role that allows her creative, financial and flexible freedom. Especially important now that she is a first-time mum.

Every year, Razzamataz Head Office put on a ‘secret challenge’. Previous years have included a fire walk and cryptic chase. This year, franchisees were treated to a Mamma Mia! dance session with a professional performer from the show.

“The secret challenge is a way to get franchisees to step outside their comfort zones,” says MD and Founder of Razzamataz Denise Hutton-Gosney. “Our network is all about supporting and challenging each other to push their businesses further and seeing what can be achieved.”

After such a busy day, another highlight this year was the wonderful evening performance by some of the students of Razzamataz Sutton Coldfield who were selected to entertain all the Principals before the Awards celebration. They joined a host of professional performers including a stilt walker and show girls and boys to provide a fun ending to the wonderful day.

To conclude a truly wonderful day and night, the Awards ceremony was a chance for everyone to congratulate the franchisees on their successes of 2018.

The Franchise 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 fourth year running, Hayley Limpkin and Emily Miller, joint Principals of Razzamataz Medway were delighted to accept on behalf of their students and teachers. “Thank you so much for the recognition and Awards, we are really proud of what we have and are achieving at Medway but we can only do this with your continued support, belief and trust in us and the crazy ideas we continue to put before you,” says Hayley. “We were really overwhelmed last night with how supportive everyone in the network was about these wins but this is a reflection of the culture that you breed and have grown over the last nearly 20 years.” 

Razzamataz are getting set to celebrate their 20-year-anniversary in 2020 and will be looking back on all the opportunities that have been created. There are lots of business prospects for a range of people looking to get into franchising and who have the enthusiasm and passion to run their own business with an established franchisor behind them.

For those that have the passion, but who do not have the full experience or background to launch the full Razzamataz Theatre School, Razzamataz Early Years Franchise has been created to cater to the demand for people wanting to work in the children’s performing arts industry. “This makes the franchise much more accessible to a wide range of people who can combine it with another part-time job or looking after children, helping to support more woman and people into franchising,” says Denise.

If you would like to be part of a franchise business that thrives on supporting young people, come along to one of our Discovery Den days held in various venues throughout the UK.
To find out more, chat to Head of Recruitment Steve on E: [email protected] or call 07585 709 136.
There are currently opportunities to take over existing schools in Hackney, Wimbledon and Reading.

Stop Press:
50% off the franchise fee until July 2019 to launch in September 2019 & your first terms management fee FREE! A saving of around £6,000!
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Who won what at the Razzamataz Conference

Franchise of The Year Award:
Hayley Limpkin and Emily Miller from Razzamataz Medway.
These Principal has continued to show the commitment and passion to the brand in so many ways and the franchise never slows down or stops reaching for their goals.

Business Builder:
Shanley Booth, Razzamataz Derby
For an impressive Saturday launch and continuing to have a passion for the brand after twelve years.

Brand Ambassador:
Lauren Bill from Razzamataz Weymouth.
Since 2011, this franchisee has been one of our most committed, talented and hard-working franchisees.

Best New Franchisee:
Georgia Hill from Razzamataz Bristol North
This Principal is truly passionate about her school and the opportunities that she wants to provide for her students that we envisage a bright and promising future.

Rebecca Rennie Award:
Helen Bell from Razzamataz Sheffield
By following the Razz system and her own proactive approach and tenacious mentality, our winner is a fantastic example of what can happen when you say ‘yes’.

One to watch Award:
Kayleigh Redford from Razzamataz Newcastle
Starting out with limited business knowledge, this Principal has taken on the challenge of learning everything from scratch and has consistently impressed us with her ability to keep asking questions and reaching out to learn more.

#BelieveInYou Award:
Claire Walford from Razzamataz Yeovil
This franchisee has been with us for a number of years, has shown consistent and steady growth in her business and always puts her students at the forefront of everything she does.

Outstanding Contribution:
Nick Furlong & Gemma Hextall from Razzamataz Sutton Coldfield
Their aspirations plus their willingness to not only learn but also share their own learnings has led to huge growth in their school in just a few years. 

HO Team Choice:
Charlotte Olivares from Razzamataz Maidstone
Her journey is one of most inspirational in the network and shows how her drive, patience and hard-working attitude has given her a business that she can now run alongside being a mummy to her new baby daughter.

Most Outstanding School:
Hayley Limpkin and Emily Miller from Razzamataz Medway
From nurturing young talent, to supporting their team, to being an integral part of the local community to creating stars! They really do encompass all that Razzamataz has excelled to do since conception.

Most Outstanding Team Member:
Rachel Mowbray from Razzamataz Mansfield
Her promotion to assistant principal has been a pivotal part of allowing for expansion within the school and there seems to be no problem she has not been able to solve! She is a true inspiration.

Best Customer Service:
Lauren Kirkbride from Razzamataz Penrith
Great success stories and always an appetite to improve. But the one thing that really stood out for me was not being afraid to reverse opinions!

Best Community Spirit:
Nick Furlong & Gemma Hextall from Razzamataz Sutton Coldfield
They have forged many professional connections to further the students, they have created great opportunities for the community to engage with Razzamataz and have gone above and beyond with many creative workshops and training days and programmes within schools.

Best Showcase Award:
Debbie Mitchell from Razzamataz Carlisle
The video was stunning to watch and truly was a remarkable piece of theatre. This was no Showcase this was a stunning piece of theatrical performance!

Well done to all Razzamataz Franchisees!