Helping budding actors take centre stage from an early age
Former actress Allison malone is one of hundreds of people using franchises to help set up a children’s services business.
Now a franchisee with Stagecoach Performing Arts School in Leatherhead, Surrey, she was an in-demand performer for ten years, but gave it up to take a job in marketing when she started her own family.
‘I missed performing and started teaching for Stagecoach part time,’ she says. ‘After having my second child, I decided to become a Stagecoach franchisee.
‘I was unsure if I had the skills for my own business, but research told me that any skill gaps would be covered by training and support.’
In ten years, she has seen thousands of children pass through her Stagecoach schools and has bumped into alumni who are now in professional theatre.
She says: ‘I pride myself on the investment I put back into my franchise. The students are my driving force and the reason I put my heart and soul into what I do.’
Andy Knights, director of Stagecoach UK, says: ‘You don’t need a teaching or performing arts background to be a Stagecoach franchisee as we provide everything you need to launch and grow a business.’ The Stagecoach franchise costs £14,995.
At the razzamataz Theatre School, franchise founder Denise Hutton-Gosney says: ‘We meet many people with enthusiasm and potential but not enough experience or time commitment for a razzamataz Theatre School, so we launched our early Years Franchise, which doesn’t require the same time or performing arts experience.’
The early Years franchisees offer razz Tiny Tots, for babies six to 24 months and their parent/carer, plus razz Tots classes for children aged two and three, and razz minis for those aged four and five.
Denise says: ‘Classes are during the week and there are no shows to organise, so it can be combined with a job or childcare.’
The franchise fee is £5,000.
Stagecoach, 0800 915 0199; Razzamataz, 07793 054 233.