In a recent article from Razzamataz, the UK-wide franchise of theatre schools, they explain why family sits at the heart of their business. Founder Denise set up the business in 2000, supported by her husband Jason and describes why being a family business is special to her. As one of our FamBiz subscribers, we are sharing Denise’s 5 top tips for working successfully with your family.

They say,

Did you know that 85% of small businesses in the UK are family-owned? When a business is a passion project such as Razzamataz Theatre Schools, it’s no wonder that parents, siblings, partners and even grandparents are eager to become involved.

At the Head Office, Founder Denise has been supported throughout by her husband Jason, who has been part of the business since it launched in 2000. He is currently the Operations Support, bringing with him a wealth of experience and expertise. He has demonstrated his operational prowess by handling various aspects of the business, including franchise compliance, Health & Safety, communication and more recently retail. His dedication to providing logistical support ensures that the franchisees have everything they need to run their businesses seamlessly.

Elsewhere in the network, numerous franchisees collaborate with their family members. For instance, sisters Jessica and Felicity in Essex operate as business partners. In South Lakes, Asha’s sibling works as a teacher, while in West Cumbria, Principal Matty’s mother lends her support behind the scenes, assisting with administrative tasks and overseeing the front-of-house team during the annual showcase. In almost every school, there is an example of the family coming together to support a shared vision of making Razzamataz a leading light in performing arts education.

“Being part of a family-owned business like Razzamataz is truly special,” says Denise. “It’s not just about running a successful business; it’s about building a legacy together. We encourage the family to embrace Razzamataz and share the vision of creating a school that not only inspires the next generation of performers, but also builds confidence for every child that walks through our doors.”

Five top tips for working with your family

Set clear boundaries: Define roles, responsibilities, and boundaries from the outset to help prevent conflicts and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Communicate clearly: Make sure everyone can express their opinions and concerns and be open to feedback.

Separate work and relationships: Make time for non-work-related activities to maintain a strong bond outside of the business.

Set realistic goals: Recognise each other’s strengths and limitations to set achievable goals and timelines.

Celebrate success: Business success is great, made better by celebrating with people you love.