How to make a career change in mid life

Reaching a major milestone in life often comes with the excitement of new opportunities, but it also brings the challenge of making decisions that can shape your future in unexpected ways.

For Gemma Da Silveira, a mum of three who has worked in HR for the past 12 years, turning 40 came with a big wake-up call when her best friend was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer, a moment that reminded her how short life truly is and the importance of pursuing her dreams. Gemma is now the new franchisee of Razzamataz Liverpool South.

“I studied performing arts when I was younger, and it had a profound impact on me,” Gemma says. “I was an incredibly shy child, but discovering performance completely transformed me. I even went on to study performing arts at university. However, life took me in a different direction, and I ended up pursuing a completely unrelated career. When I returned to Liverpool three years ago, I enjoyed my job, but turning 40 and my friend’s illness made me take a step back and reevaluate my life. I realised how much I was passionate about performing arts and wanted to find a way
of bringing that back into my life.”

Not having run a business before, Gemma was drawn to the franchise route in order to get as much support and guidance as possible as she explains: “I looked at several different theatre school franchise options but what really stood out with Razzamataz was just how warm, welcoming and lovely everyone was. So far, the support and training has been great. There are many different people on the team, which is the reason I joined a franchise. Of course there are lots of things I can pull from my professional work experience but I’ve never run a theatre school before so this advice and reassurance is just invaluable.”

Gemma explains that she didn’t actually know very much about franchising so had many questions before signing up. “I knew straight away that Razzamataz was right for me, but I have three children, a mortgage to pay and I’m sensible with money so I really needed to understand the financial side of it,” Gemma explains. “The Founder Denise was incredibly helpful and honest about this side of things, which helped me to understand the route to become profitable as well as showing me the growth possibilities with a Razzamataz franchise.”

Financing the franchise was much more accessible thanks to the Razzamataz franchise package as Gemma explains: “I borrowed some money from family and then agreed a finance plan with Razzamataz for the upfront fee. This meant I didn’t need to borrow from a bank and pay interest.”

The main driver for Gemma has always been the desire to offer children where she lives with access to performing arts to help them develop into well rounded individuals as she explains: “There’s not that many creative opportunities for young people in this area and I want to fill this gap. It’s really important to me that parents and families are involved and they get to see the value of the arts on their children, from building confidence to developing essential life skills like teamwork, communication, and resilience.”

Alongside the performing arts training, Gemma is focused on ensuring a warm and welcoming environment for all so children can develop within asupportive community. “During our first term we will be embracing the theme of individuality inspired by the film Wicked,” says Gemma. We will guide the children in discovering their unique qualities, exploring how to embrace their individuality, and appreciating what makes others special.”

To help build confidence, Gemma and her team will establish strong connections with the local community, creating performance opportunities that allow students to give back while showcasing their talents and creating a sense of pride and achievement. This, together with the national opportunities that Razzamataz provide, such as performing in the West End and Disneyland Paris, offers students unforgettable experiences.

“Although I’ve just opened, it’s been lovely speaking to lots of parents and hearing their excitement about what we will be offering and how we can provide the creative outlet that their children need,” adds Gemma. “For me personally, the chance to spend my time on doing something where I see a real benefit to others is very important. Although I’m currently enjoying my HR job part time, my vision is to expand with multiple schools in the future. I toyed with this idea for a long time but really life is too short not to be fulfilled. Now feels like the perfect time to take this leap and build something truly special.”

UK opportunity                         

Join us in time for our 25th Anniversary celebrations at The Eiffel Tower, Paris next September! Ask about our finance options to help you fund your future! Don’t make finance an obstacle. Potential turnover is in the region of £300,000+ if working on the business full time and with adding our additional revenue streams. 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. Get in touch

Email: franchise@razzamataz.co.uk Visit: https://www.razzamataz.co.uk/

Book an online Discovery Den: : https://www.razzamataz.co.uk/franchise-opps/book-discovery-den/

Meet the Razzamataz Dream Team for 2025!   This is the team who will be supporting you step by step to launch your own performing arts school and help you build a thriving business. From creative guidance to business expertise, this team is your ultimate support squad to make your Razzamataz journey truly unforgettable and successful. At Razzamataz, we’re always evolving to support our incredible franchisees, and 2025 is set to be our best year yet as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. Get ready to meet the powerhouse team that can help you transform your life.       Denise – Our MD and Founder remains a vital part of the team, bringing her 25 years of experience in running successful performing arts schools to guide and inspire franchisees. Her expertise ensures you have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to thrive.     Matty – Our brilliant Operations Manager Matty began his Razzamataz journey as a 16 year old work experience student. Today, he is not only a successful franchisee himself, but also ensures every aspect of the business runs smoothly.       Hayley – The ultimate business coach, former Razzamataz franchisee Hayley will help you smash your goals and turn big dreams into bigger realities!   Emily – As a franchisee alongside Hayley, Emily is famed for her creative brilliance and she will spark new ideas in you and your teams too. Karen – Our talented PR and Content Writer is the voice behind Razzamataz’s inspiring stories. Whether it’s crafting engaging social media posts, writing press releases, or creating content to spotlight your school’s success, Karen’s words bring your brand to life and help you stand out in your local community. Debbie and Helen – Our fantastic Events Project Managers, Debbie and Helen, work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure Razzamataz events, such as performing at Disneyland Paris or West End theatres, run smoothly, creating unforgettable experiences for franchisees and students alike.       Claire – Combining her role at Head Office with being a long-standing franchisee, Claire’s extensive experience working with numerous financial and IT software makes her ideally suited to support Razzamataz franchisees with improved technology and systems, as well as ensuring brand compliance.       Meg – Our amazing Head Office Admin & Social Media Assistant, Meg is the go-to for keeping everything organised and running smoothly behind the scenes. Whether it’s coordinating essential admin tasks or creating fun, engaging content for social media, Meg’s support ensures franchisees always have what they need.       Nikki – Our new Business Consultant, Nikki brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience to the team. She’s here to help franchisees strategise, overcome challenges, and unlock new opportunities for growth. Meet Your Year One Success Team Comprising six of our current franchisees, this team will mentor you through your first year to ensure you have all the guidance and support needed to build a thriving business. Thank you to Debbi from Newbury, Charlotte from Maidstone, Nick from Sutton Coldfield, Debbie from Carlisle & Dumfries, Lauren from Weymouth & Dorchester and Samantha from Leighton Buzzard.   .                              And Your 2025 FAC Team This team comprises current franchisees and plays a key role in ensuring open communication between franchisees and the franchisor, helping to improve operations, marketing, training, and overall franchisee satisfaction.     Michaela – franchisee Razzamataz Bristol             Charlotte – franchisee Razzamataz Maidstone             Sam – franchisee Razzamataz Leighton Buzzard             Kasey – franchisee Razzamataz Thurrock   This team will be your go-to for any questions, ensuring that your voice is heard and that you have the resources you need to thrive. A huge thank you to our 2025 team as well as our 2024 team comprising Asha from South Lakes, Helen from Sheffield, Debbie from Carlisle and Dumfries and India from Torbay.   Upcoming Discovery Dens & Training UK Franchise Training 17th – 22nd March 2025 for a September 2025 launch 6th October – 11th October 2025 for a January 2026 launch International Franchise Training 19th – 22nd March 2025   Book Your No-Obligation Discovery Den!

Razzamataz Takes to the West End Stage! Razzamataz in Dubai From Secondary School Teacher to Multi-Territory Owner

As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the incredible achievements of our franchisees, teachers, team members, and, of course, students. Representing our dedication to inspiring creativity and innovation in performing arts education, we’ve witnessed incredible growth across the network. More importantly, we’ve seen how the arts continue to positively impact thousands of young people, enriching their lives and supporting their futures.

 

Expansion and Growth

This year, Razzamataz welcomed eight new Principals into the network, showcasing the continued interest and belief in its franchise model. These new additions have further strengthened the Razzamataz community and its ability to bring performing arts opportunities to even more students across the UK.

Gemma Da Silveira is the new franchisee of Razzamataz Liverpool South and mum to three daughters. She says: “I’ve wanted to do this for so long but it was the combination of my best friend suffering with cancer last year and my impending 40th birthday which made me realise life is short so why not now. The amount of structure and support that Razzamataz offers has reassured me that I have joined the right business who will support me to be successful.”

Student Success and Growth

The network saw a 20% increase in student numbers, an outstanding achievement in a time of financial uncertainty for many families. This growth highlights the value parents place on the opportunities Razzamataz provides for their children to develop confidence, skills, and friendships.

We’ve celebrated countless success stories this year, from students landing high-profile roles like featuring in an advert alongside Joe Wicks and playing Bridget Jones’ daughter in the new film starring Renée Zellweger, to receiving heartfelt praise from parents, such as: “Razzamataz has been fantastic for my teenage son, providing a supportive and creative space to develop his performance skills and build lasting friendships.”

Memorable Experiences for Students

Students had the chance to participate in life-changing events, including performing in Dubai, cementing Razzamataz as a platform for extraordinary opportunities. The demand for such experiences continues to grow, which is why students and teachers are currently in rehearsal mode, getting ready to perform in the Pre-Parade at Disneyland Paris in 2025.

“The Dubai trip was truly inspiring and has opened up opportunities we never thought possible,” says Razzamataz Weymouth student Corey. “We’ve gained so much insight into the local culture, and the performance opportunity was absolutely incredible.”

Life-Changing Opportunities

To support our franchisees in growing their businesses and developing as confident leaders, we introduced an extraordinary experience in Dubai known as the ‘DreamEscape.’ The trip featured a variety of activities, including visits to iconic landmarks, coaching and mentoring sessions and the opportunity to immerse themselves in personal development workshops, learn valuable business strategies and return reenergised and inspired to elevate their schools in the UK.

“I truly valued the opportunity to connect with other Principals on a deeper level. My coaching session with Emily was especially impactful and it pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to focus not just on my business, but on myself as well,” Brittany Arthur, Principal Razzamataz Lancaster.

Continued Investment in Team Members

Razzamataz is invested in the continuous development of our teaching staff, who are at the heart of our mission to provide the best possible experience to our students. This year’s Creative Development Day placed a special emphasis on inclusivity and ensuring the team is equipped with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to create a supportive and accessible environment for every student to thrive. Rebecca Graham, drama teacher from Razzamataz West Cumbria explains: “The whole day was not only informative but also a lot of fun, and I left feeling inspired and excited to take everything I learned back to my students.”

Charity Initiative to Support Students

Razzamataz is marking its 25th anniversary by doing the one thing that matters most, supporting students to achieve their dreams. The final plans are in place to launch a new charity initiative with money raised to go towards the Future Fund, set up to financially support students once they leave Razzamataz and continue their vocational training. The “25 for 25” campaign aims to raise £25,000 and further raise the profile of this incredible support system that advocates for the next generation of talent.

Strategic Focus on the Future

The year also marked significant progress towards Razzamataz’s 25th anniversary celebrations, along with a focus on international expansion and a refreshed brand strategy. The leadership team has continued to pave the way for a bright future for all franchisees and students by regular meet ups to discuss innovative strategies, exchange insights, and align on goals that ensure sustained growth and success across the network.

Sneak Peek at 2025

As Razzamataz celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025, there’s excitement around every corner for families, students, teachers, and franchisees. This includes two sold-out performance trips to Disneyland Paris and a special celebration for franchisees at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. There’s still time to be part of these incredible events and take advantage of the many years of experience that the Razzamataz team has to offer. With their support, you can run your own theatre school, providing a flexible and fulfilling business opportunity that aligns with your lifestyle.

Exclusive Invitation to Our Upcoming Conferences

Contact our head office to secure your invitation to attend our upcoming conferences in London and Penrith. Limited spaces are available and reserved for the most qualified prospects. Join us in Penrith on 27th January and London on 30th January. Don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity!

 

UK Opportunity

Join us in time for our 25th Anniversary celebrations at The Eiffel Tower, Paris next September! Ask about our finance options to help you fund your future! Don’t make finance an obstacle. Potential turnover is in the region of £300,000+ if working on the business full time and with adding our additional revenue streams.

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. Get in touch Email: franchise@razzamataz.co.uk Visit: https://www.razzamataz.co.uk/Book an online Discovery Den: : https://www.razzamataz.co.uk/franchise-opps/book-discovery-den/

Dubai and UAE Opportunity

The UK franchisor is seeking a single unit or area developer particularly for Dubai & Abu Dhabi to partner with our expert team in bringing Razzamataz Theatre Schools to Dubai and the UAE. Full training will be provided in the UK, with ongoing, hands-on support from our dedicated team, who will visit the UAE to ensure your success. Potential seven figure turnover if working full time on the business. We are currently looking for exceptional performing arts teachers in Dubai so please get in touch if that is you.

Contact the Head Office on franchise@razzamataz.co.uk or Denise on WhatsApp  +44 7801843007.