As with every business journey, there were setbacks. One learning curve in particular was around trademarking.
“The classes were originally called ‘funky feet’,” explains Anne-Marie. She’d checked the trademark register and bought the trademark, but when it came to franchising under that name, her franchise consultant raised a red flag. While she owned the trademark, the fact that other people were already running classes under that name meant Anne-Marie had no say in them stopping doing so. “That was devastating,” Anne-Marie admins, but ultimately it paved the way for the birth of ‘diddi dance’.
Working with experts
Anne-Marie is a firm believer in playing to your strengths austria rcs data and then seeking support from others when it comes to your weaknesses.
“Anything you’re not strong in, bring in somebody who has that skill.”
The franchise consultant is not the only expert Anne-Marie leans on to develop her business. From bringing in social media professionals to PR consultants, supercharge her franchisees’ growth.
By outsourcing work, Anne-Marie can focus on her key mission: maintaining the quality of diddi dance. Her team does this by arming franchisees with comprehensive lesson plans and training, as well as ongoing support and a strong sense of togetherness and community.
Franchisees are part of the diddi dance network and are never on their own. “Every franchisee gets a personal visit after the first term. And it continues to be a two-way street – making sure you are listening to them because they are on the front line, but also being hands-on so the standards are maintained.”
Expanding from one location to 40 is no mean feat, so we asked Anne-Marie how a franchise can scale. “That’s the million-dollar question! There is no one hard, fast rule. There are various different channels: franchise portals, social media, it will very much differ from where you’re at. I think it’s about analysing who your ideal franchisee is. You look at your current network, and where your ideal franchisee might be located.”