Dance Partner

The babyballet brand has captured the imagination of both young children and their parents

Ballet and business. Not the most obvious fit in most people’s eyes, but Claire O’Connor, cofounder and managing director of babyballet, the UK’s leading ballet school franchise for young children, is certainly dancing her way to success in the franchising industry.

babyballet has more than 70 franchisees in operation, teaching over 15,000 children per week to dance the babyballet way. The brand has captured the imagination of both young children and their parents, who enjoy the freedom and magic of the classes without the pressure of having to be the perfect shape or size.

Traditional

Claire says: “I was born into the world of ballet and attended traditional classes, but gave up at 14 because I felt I was the wrong shape.

“It left me with a lack of self confidence and poor body image. I didn’t want this to happen to others, so babyballet was born. The success of babyballet proves that shape, size and ability are not barriers to ballet.”

New territories are being claimed all the time throughout the UK and internationally. In 2016, brand presence was established in both Australia and New Zealand.

Once accepted, each franchisee retains exclusive babyballet rights in their chosen location to run classes, parties and shows, plus gain access to a range of babyballet merchandise.