John & Nigel Are Acting Their Way To Success

Musical theatre professionals John and Nigel are dancing their way towards success with their new business venture actOvation, thanks to business start-up support from St Helens Chamber and the Enterprise Hub.

With over 30 years’ experience in the musical theatre industry, John and Nigel decided the next step was to go into business together delivering musical theatre workshops.

John said, “We’d thought about setting up the business for a long time and not really known how to start it, so when the opportunity to receive free start-up support came along we grabbed it with both hands.”

actOvation aims to bring musical theatre into schools, teaching children drama, stage craft, songs and harmonies.

“The workshops allow children to explore activities outside of school and SATS and enjoy themselves.” Adds Nigel.

“It’s all about wellbeing. Too much goes on online today and everything is about social media. We’re about physically getting up and doing something and having fun.”

Following feedback from workshops they have already held, the pair have now discovered a gap in the market and are looking into providing classes for adults and corporate groups.

 

John & Nigel in centre

John was referred to St Helens Chamber for the Business start-up workshops by his local JobCentre Plus. The workshops focus on writing a business plan, marketing and funding your business and registering with HMRC.

John Said: “We were told that Nigel could also take part in the business start-up workshops, which was great. Every single mentor was fantastic. They instilled us with confidence."

“We went in with such big ideas that we thought were achievable but in reality weren’t. The advisers were great at making us think realistically.”

Nigel in costume!

With a great deal of enthusiasm and experience on their side, John and Nigel are focusing on growing their business and establishing themselves.

The duo plan to deliver their workshops to schools and businesses in the North West but are currently offering them throughout the UK as they begin to develop and grow the business.

St Helens Chamber is part of Enterprise Hub, the enterprise gateway for free business start-up support in Merseyside.  Offering expert advice and support to anyone thinking about starting a business including help to:

• Understand the process of starting a business
• Research a business idea
• Build a comprehensive business plan
• Develop a marketing plan
• Create financial forecasts to understand the costs of running your  business and potential incomeIdentify sources of finance to get started

If like John and Nigel you would like support to start your own business, then contact Enterprise Hub on enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk or 0151 706 8113