Apex Dance & Performing Arts franchises delivering results

The first two Apex Dance & Performing Arts franchises are proving to be successful, profitable businesses

Apex was formed in 2005 with a vision of increasing the accessibility of sports and leisure activities for children. With help from various educational experts and advisers, the company developed a comprehensive teaching and delivery programme covering a wide range of sports and dance disciplines promoting health and wellbeing.

This delivery structure and programme was an instant success with schools and local organisations alike and demand grew at a dramatic rate. Within its first few years of operation, Apex was already on course to achieve its vision. The business had grown, employing over 40 staff members delivering sports, dance and leisure activities in schools to over 5,000 children every week.

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Over the years Apex has established strong links with many key organisations within the sports and leisure sectors, including many national governing bodies, sports and art partnerships and local government organisations. These close ties have led Apex to evolve and develop in line with the various organisations’ requirements, ensuring Apex remains the leading and preferred coaching brand and first point of contact for delivery of government sport and dance initiatives. To date, these organisations have funded over £750,000 of Apex classes in the Hertfordshire area alone.

With television programmes such as Britain’s Got Talent, Got to Dance and X-Factor making regular appearances on Saturday evening prime time television, Apex’s dance and performing arts classes became popular with children wanting to emulate their favourite star’s dance moves. As demand grew, Apex capitalised on this increased interest and developed its products and services to include dance shows and competitions, birthday parties, Saturday schools, musical theatre camps and workshops, adding further revenue streams and strengthening the business model.

As the business expanded in line with demand, dance and performing arts was proving to be the most successful and profitable arm of the business. Therefore in late 2012, after two years of development, the first two Apex Dance & Performing Arts franchises were launched.

Jodie Holley, a 22-year-old from Watford, launched the inaugural franchise in September 2012. Jodie has a background in performing arts and has travelled to various holiday resorts delivering entertainment and drama classes to holidaymakers, but had no previous management or business experience. Therefore, she was keen to purchase a franchise that offered high levels of support and interaction with head office.

Jodie’s franchise has been developed on the basis of a teacher led model, allowing her to keep teaching classes - a passion she has had for many years. Since the launch of Jodie’s franchise, the business is now on course to exceed first year projections by 56 per cent, generating £125,000 in turnover and over £25,000 in profit. To keep up with demand, Jodie now employs eight full-time and part-time staff members to manage individual staff teams and build relationships with schools and clients.

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Apex’s second franchise also launched in September 2012, but with a different business model. The investor wanted to launch a business that could guarantee a steady income with very little risk and minimal involvement. They already had a keen eye for business, but no background in the performing arts or dance.

The franchise was therefore established and launched as a management business and quickly employed four part-time staff members, generating close to £2,000 profit every month from the sessions that were running. In light of this success, the investors have now employed a full-time staff member to oversee and manage the day to day operation of the business, enabling their franchise to grow further.

Both franchises are exceeding expectations and proving to be successful, profitable businesses. Over the next few months Apex is planning to embark on an extensive brand marketing programme and is set to significantly expand in 2013, with an anticipated six further franchisees joining the network.

The company will also be developing alternative revenue streams, increasing its merchandise portfolio and launching a new line of Apex kit, uniform, gradings and certificates. In addition, Apex is in talks with a number of well known dance troupes with the aim of finding an Apex Dance or Performing Arts ambassador to be the face of the brand.

As part of Apex’s brand marketing programme, it will be exhibiting at The National Franchise Exhibition at NEC Birmingham on February 22-23 and the MOVE IT Exhibition on March 8-10 at Kensington Olympia, at which you can find out more about the opportunity on offer via an informal chat with existing franchisees and company directors.

If you can’t make these dates, Apex also holds discovery days every month that provide an in depth look into the company and its franchise opportunity.