It might be stepping into the spotlight for the first time, launching a business or finding the confidence to tackle something that once felt out of reach. Moments like these can ignite resilience, ambition and self-belief that last for years.
In the performing arts, such opportunities often come through live productions – experiences that demand teamwork, creativity and determination. While the audience sees the polished final performance, the real growth happens in the rehearsals, the challenges and the quiet moments in between. This summer, Andy Knights, CEO of Stagecoach Performing Arts, witnessed first-hand just how powerful that process can be. Here, he shares how those experiences offer lessons every franchisor can learn from.
I’ve always believed performing arts go far beyond learning to sing, dance or act. They give young people the confidence to step forward, find their voice and back themselves. Watching that transformation happen – often in a single performance – is one of the best parts of what we do.
In July, we saw it on a huge scale at Birmingham Symphony Hall during our Summer Symphony of Song. Students performed alongside The Sanctuary Orchestra, raising funds for homeless charities, and Vicky McClure’s Our Dementia Choir, which uses music to connect with those living with dementia. It was a reminder that the arts don’t just entertain – they connect people and communities in ways that words alone often can’t.
A few weeks later, we staged Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at G Live in Guildford. Eighty-five young performers from across the UK and beyond took to the stage – for some, it was their first time performing in a professional theatre. Seeing their confidence grow through the rehearsals and the pride on their faces as the curtain came down was a clear reminder of why these experiences matter.
And those were just two events from a packed year. Our students have performed in Canada and Germany, stepped behind the scenes at Disneyland Paris and joined 670 others to perform in the Dance the Dream event outside Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Each experience is about much more than putting on a show – it’s about stepping up, working together and learning the value of persistence.
The parallels with franchising are obvious. In both worlds, success comes from recognising potential, giving people the tools and training they need, and creating an environment where they feel supported enough to take risks. Whether it’s a student on stage or a franchisee opening their doors for the first time, leaders have a responsibility to set them up to succeed.
Confidence has a ripple effect. A student who learns to hold their own on stage may one day present with ease in a boardroom. A franchisee who masters running their own business can go on to inspire and employ others. The skills – resilience, adaptability, communication – last far beyond the immediate experience.
That’s why I believe in setting ambitious goals. Big projects and challenges stretch people’s abilities and often show them they’re capable of more than they realised. But those big opportunities only work if they’re backed by strong support – from teachers, fellow students, head office teams and peer franchisees alike.
In the end, whether it’s the arts or franchising, it comes down to belief. Belief in someone’s potential before they can see it for themselves. Belief that with the right tools and encouragement, they can achieve something extraordinary.
Give people that belief, the chance to step up and the support to see it through – and they won’t just take part, they’ll thrive. That’s when the magic happens.
