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Be in business for yourself, but not by yourself with a babyballet® franchise and dance your way to success. Becoming a babyballet® franchisee is your first step towards owning your own thriving dance school and achieving your business potential – bringing your passion of dance to families in your own exclusive area.
Founded in Halifax in 2005, babyballet® is a fun, award-winning pre-school dance concept for children from six months old. The successful babyballet® programme is available across the United Kingdom, with over 85 like-minded, driven, franchisees operating. In 2016, brand presence was established in Australia and New Zealand, and later Singapore, with further international expansion on the horizon. Today, over 25,000 ‘babyballet® stars’ enjoy the classes each week; classes that have been accredited with a gold stamp by the Children’s Activities Association.
The babyballet® brand has captured the imagination of both young children and their parents alike, who experience so much more than just a dance class. Through a strong brand presence and carefully crafted programme all children blossom at babyballet®, no matter their ability. Alongside them, our franchisees and their babyballet schools grow from strength to strength.
In addition to helping children explore, learn and grow as individuals, the babyballet® brand is well known for its family-feel and close relationships within the franchise network.
Franchisees are valued greatly by the Head Office team and vice-versa. “Being part of the babyballet® franchise family is fantastic. The training and support from Head Office is brilliant – no matter how many questions I have!” says Jessie, babyballet® franchisee in Dartford, Bexley and Bromley. Established 2009, this babyballet® school now teaches over 1000 children under 6 every week.
Franchisees are passionate about the brand and building their own business. For those with children, having a babyballet® franchise gives them the opportunity to have a family and run their own company at the same time.
The application process to become a franchisee is ongoing throughout the year, with new territories being claimed all the time. Once accepted each franchisee receives exclusive rights in their chosen territory to run classes, parties and shows, plus earn commission on a range of unique babyballet® merchandise. On hand with a range of expertise, all franchisees receive the dedicated support of our management team at babyballet® Head Office.
A babyballet® franchise is available in two different packages:
Franchise Owner with Dance Qualifications and Experience
A babyballet® franchise is a fantastic opportunity for individuals who want to combine their passion for teaching dance with owning their very own business. You may already have your own dance school and are looking to develop your preschool department; you may be a teacher who wants a new venture; you may have reached the end of your performance career; or you may have graduated from dance college and are looking for a career path in the dance industry. Whatever your dance background, a babyballet franchise will give you a worthwhile and enjoyable business opportunity which allows you to continue and share your love of dance.
We are looking for motivated, dynamic, well organised dance school owners, dance teachers, professionals, performers and dance graduates who would love to bring the magic and joy of dance to the next generation.
To teach babyballet, we require a degree and/or associate qualification and/or a performance background with ballet training up to intermediate level.
Franchise Owner without Dance Experience
A babyballet® franchise business manager can own and run their own babyballet® business without having any specific dance qualifications but they would be required to recruit qualified teachers to deliver all classes.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a business minded, determined individual to have their own business with our trusted and well established babyballet brand behind them.
Previous business experience is a definite advantage. Although dance experience is not required for the role of Franchise Business Manager, a love of dance and some basic knowledge of dance and/or working with preschool children would be desirable.
Please note that a business manager without dance teaching experience wouldn’t be permitted to teach the classes themselves.
So, whether you would like a change from the corporate world or fancy the opportunity of starting and growing your own business, we’d love to hear from you!
What’s involved in being a babyballet® franchisee?
Once you become a babyballet® franchisee, you will:
It’s the flexibility and ability to maintain both a business and a family life that attracts many of our franchisees. And whilst our training week is intense, we aim to give you all the tools you’ll need to set up the babyballet business working model that will suit you best. In addition to a wealth of business and management training, including access to our bespoke business management system and CRM and invaluable marketing and sales sessions, we also provide all the babyballet syllabus materials and music you’ll need to run your classes. All in the hospitable hometown of Halifax, where the magic of babyballet® began.
And whilst the practical toolkits and business knowledge are worth their weight in gold, it’s the support of fellow franchisees and our Head Office team that really makes that special difference. Upon joining the babyballet® family you’ll have unconditional access to all sectors of our wonderful and inspiring organisation. Especially from Claire, our CEO and babyballet® founder, the support for franchisees is unwavering and completely from the heart.
“It’s my 11th year as a babyballet franchisee and I still absolutely love it! The magic of teaching pre-schoolers their first steps combined with the flexibility of being my own boss, all the while knowing that I have the backing and support of such a fantastic brand, is just the best feeling ever.”
Miss Leanne, franchise owner at babyballet West Lothian, Falkirk and Stirling.
Setting up your own babyballet preschool dance business could be easier than you imagine. For an initial franchise fee of £11,760 +VAT, you’ll be given all the systems, tools and advice you need to set up and run your own babyballet® school. It’s literally your babyballet® business in a box!
All new franchisees receive:
The beauty of franchising is that your daily routine can be suited to exactly how you like it to be. Dependent on your situation, teaching or non-teaching, family or no-family, the day-to-day running of your business will differ; though not to mention, change and develop as your situation does.
babyballet® – The Flexible Business Opportunity from a Mum’s Perspective
Over half of the total of babyballet® franchisees are mums. They have found a fun, challenging but most importantly flexible business that suits their family life.
Do they do the school pick up? Yes.
Do they get to go to awards assembly? Yes.
Do they miss out on their children growing up? No.
Do they work hard? Yes.
Do they love what they do? Yes.
Sally, is one of many examples of a successful babyballet® franchisee, dance teacher, and most also, mum of three – Harry (8), Livvy (6) and Rory (1).
We asked Sally –
How does the job fit around your family life?
“Perfectly.” She answered. “Unlike most jobs your hours can be structured to suit our family routine, so you’re at home for the evenings and around for the school run.”
How much time do you commit?
“I teach 5 days morning and afternoon because that’s exactly what I chose to do.”
babyballet®’s Leah Stead has had somewhat of a diverse career. Having enjoyed a successful 12 years as a solicitor in Nottingham, and becoming a Partner of a law firm in that time, it was Leah’s first love, dancing, that she simply couldn’t escape from. In 2019, Leah was presented with the opportunity to drop the Court dress and pick up her tutu once more, which was certainly met with no ‘objection’! Two years on from opening her doors to her little stars at babyballet, Miss Leah has celebrated huge successes with the children’s dance franchise and has even undergone a significant territory expansion during the pandemic.
“I loved being a solicitor, but my heart wasn’t in it and I didn’t have the passion for it as much as I do for teaching and dance,” said Miss Leah. “The challenge of changing careers in such a huge way was made much easier by loving what I was moving into. When I was presented with the opportunity to expand, even during the uncertainty of the pandemic, I was 100% behind it! I haven’t minded putting in the time, and babyballet has been such a welcome change of pace from what I was doing before.”
Since opening her doors for the first time in January of 2019, the babyballet Nottingham North franchisee has certainly been presented with new challenges. As well as having to navigate and manage the new business throughout a pandemic, Miss Leah has also become a mum! “Having a baby during the pandemic of course added a lot of pressure. Being unable to do anything socially and trying to keep the business as accessible as possible was difficult, but you have to be confident and overcome these types of hurdles! Being at home during COVID meant my husband and I could share responsibilities with our daughter, so I still had the chance to dedicate time to growing my babyballet business.
“It’s been a huge step for me but is absolutely the best thing I’ve done. Of course, I’ve had to overcome things like maternity leave and COVID, but since emerging from those, I’ve been able to look at my current situation and can honestly say becoming a babyballet franchisee was the right thing to do.”
The babyballet support network not only helps new franchises flourish but allows franchisees and teachers the room to strike a healthy balance between their work-life schedules. Franchisees are equipped with specific training and information to help them manage the franchise from a distance or involve themselves fully in the day-to-day operations and classes.
“Training was brilliant. I had a week at head office with three other new franchisees. It was great to be learning with people in the same position as we could share the experience and learn from each other as well. Even though I’d already done some teaching for babyballet, the whole process was so valuable as I gained a real insight into business operations.”
It was clear from the start that Miss Leah’s mission and drive aligned perfectly with babyballet’s. Now teaching roughly 200 children across 12 venues and employing five members of staff, Leah’s expansion in the Nottingham area (now covering Sherwood, Arnold, Mansfield, Woodthorpe, Clipstone, Rainworth, Edwinstowe and Southwell) in June 2021 has enabled her babyballet franchise to go from strength to strength!
“Even though plans were slightly delayed due to COVID, I’m so proud that I’ve been able to expand the business and continue this incredible journey with babyballet. We have a strong foundation and team that will take us forward. The admin, marketing and general support from head office has been brilliant. While the team has changed throughout COVID, the support has been constant, and there is always someone on the other end of the phone to help if you need it.
“I’d love to keep building on what I’ve established for myself with babyballet. I think what they offer is largely unseen in a lot of other companies. The family feel is one thing, but as a franchisee and in my current circumstances of balancing a business with raising my young daughter, babyballet has afforded me so much freedom. I’ve been given the opportunity to balance my work and personal life to an extent that I don’t believe you would get in a senior position with any company, let alone as a business owner. But regardless, it doesn’t feel like work! As they say, find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life!”
With over 80 babyballet franchise businesses running across the country, the UK’s largest children’s dance academy prides themselves on being supportive and caring to help each and every franchisee reach their potential and business goals.
With Miss Leah looking forward to her future with babyballet, she urges anyone who has a passion for dance and teaching to consider becoming an accomplished franchisee with this fabulous network. “If you have the passion, and you’re looking to explore it, give babyballet a try. The syllabus and classes are amazing, and I love teaching my little stars. Away from teaching, the support network is amazing - I simply couldn’t have got to where I am today without their assistance and guidance.”
The babyballet programme is designed to fit well within the UK Government’s Early Years Foundation Stage framework, with classes providing the opportunities for babies and children to learn and develop key life skills in a healthy and safe environment. Their pre-written syllabus ensures that teachers don’t have to worry about planning or creating choreography and can focus on doing what they do best – teaching dance.
From Solicitor to ballet-star, Miss Leah’s story is one of many that inspires prospective franchisees to revisit their true passions. For more information on how to become a babyballet franchisee, please visit: https://babyballet.co.uk/franchise/franchise-package/
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