Member Article

Whitley Bay dance and drama startup launched following business support

Whitley Bay-based dance and drama teacher Abby Forbes-Chambers has launched a new business venture, with help from North Tyneside Council’s The Business Factory.

Abby’s Theatre and Dance Academy, which offers classes in dance, acting and stage for toddlers, children and adults, has began life by securing a number of contracts to help local schools in North Tyneside and Newcastle.

The 22 year old English Literature graduate, who has danced since she was a young child, is a qualified dance and acting teacher and decided to turn her much loved hobby into a business with the support of The Business Factory.

The Cullercoats-based business offers a range of classes, from traditional ballet to funky hip hop together with acting and singing classes. Abby is also taking her expertise into schools, providing specialist support to the curriculum as well as after school and enrichment activities.

She received business start-up support from the team at The Business Factory and specialist marketing advice to help her develop her programme of activities for schools.

Abby said: “I knew from an early age that I wanted to work in the world of dance and drama and although I love performing, my real passion lies in teaching, which is why I have opened my own school. The Business Factory provided some very practical advice on steps I should take in order to set up the business on a solid foundation and help me cement my offering and identify potential business opportunities.

“With their support I am not only growing the dance school but I’m building up the b2b strand of my business and developing relationships with schools to offer specialist curriculum based dance and drama provision as well as providing lunch time and after school activities.

“But for me the best thing The Business Factory have been able to provide is the confidence that the business can work, which when you are going it alone for the first time is so important.”

Abby’s Academy has an exciting programme of summer holiday activities planned too, offering a range of classes and workshops including dedicated Frozen workshops, and day long classes to learn songs and dances from popular Broadway musicals such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and Grease.

Cllr Bruce Pickard, Deputy Mayor at North Tyneside Council added: “It is great to see young, aspiring entrepreneurs set up business in the borough and see someone with such an obvious love and talent for dance and drama turn their passion in to a successful business.

“There is a wealth of talented individuals in North Tyneside and The Business Factory has been designed to help such people use their skills to create successful, sustainable businesses.”

The Business Factory, funded by North Tyneside Council, offers free advice and professional support to anyone planning to start a business in North Tyneside. Since it was launched in 2010, it has helped to create more than 1000 new businesses, by giving practical support on the real issues facing start-ups such as marketing, sales techniques and ideas development.