After an incredible run of award wins and business growth, Asha Marie Richardson, of Kirkby Stephen, principal of Razzamataz South Lakes has been announced as the winner of the Young Woman in Franchising of the Year 2023 award in the NatWest Encouraging Women into Franchising (EWiF) Awards.
Razzamataz South Lakes has schools in Penrith, Kendal and Appleby with a wide range of classes including parent and baby classes as well as the main school, which offers singing, dancing and drama training up to the age of 18.
EWiF has been celebrating women in franchising since 2010 and every year, the standard and number of award entries gets higher.
Recognising and rewarding female entrepreneurs and business leaders, the awards took place at the NatWest building in London, with over 140 franchising professionals coming together to applaud the successes of women from a variety of sectors.
Franchising has been traditionally dominated by men, which is why the organisers of the awards, Encouraging Women into Franchising (EWiF), believe it’s so important to honour women, specifically.
“Asha’s passion, talent and entrepreneurial spirit have set her apart as a rising star in the franchising world,” says the judges who commended Asha on many different aspects of her business.
“This included growing the business by 700 per cent in just over two years, supporting and mentoring one of her teachers into a franchisee role, piloting new products for head office and becoming an active member of the Razzamataz Franchise Advisory Council and All Stars Academy.
“Asha is a brilliant businesswoman, mentor and leader and someone that cares passionately about her students, team and young people in her community,” says Denise Hutton-Gosney, managing director and founder of Razzamataz Theatre Schools.
“We are delighted that she has recently joined our head office team to nurture our new franchisees and share her passion for building an inclusive theatre school that inspires children and young people to develop confidence and motivates them to develop life skills through performing arts.”
Razzamataz South Lakes was praised by the judges for all the work and support that it offers in its local community and beyond. Whether it is sponsoring local football teams, holding a Baby Bundles Collection, sponsoring the Reading Bus or delivering lots of free sessions to playgroups, Asha and her team go above and beyond to create opportunities for children and young people.
As well as the work they do locally, Asha is proud to have her own charity in Ghana and is currently hosting a group of young people to travel from Ghana to the UK to inspire them to reach beyond their own perceived limitations and encourage other young people living in their community to embrace education to open new possibilities.
“This award reflects the dedication and commitment we all have for Razzamataz and our art,” says Asha.
“Our Razzamataz families and ethos is at the heart of what we do and I’m proud to be part of it. My heart is just so full.”
Accompanying Asha to the EWiF awards was Amber Gibney, principal at Razzamataz Stockton-on-Tees and team member alongside Asha.
Amber started out her Razzamataz career as a teacher with Asha, who encouraged her to look at the option of launching her own theatre school and gave her the confidence to believe she could do it, even without any previous business experience.
