Alexandra Searle Joined Pyjama Drama in August 2019

Alexandra Searle, Pyjama Drama franchisee for Runnymede and Woking joined the team in August 2019.

What was your journey to franchising?

I previously ran Pyjama Drama sessions for a different franchisor and fell in love with the sessions and everything the company stood for. I hadn't long graduated from university and was looking for my next career move. Pyjama Drama was the perfect fit for me.

How did you come to make a final decision?

I had lots of conversations with Rachel and Sarah (the directors), over the phone, by email and via video calls. They also spoke to both my partner and my dad.  I was able to chat with existing franchisees and get a personal insight on what it was like to run the business, as well as realistically how much money I could earn. I was presented with a wealth of information on the subject and after chatting with my partner, decided it was a good choice for me.

How did you know that you’d found the right franchise?

Pyjama Drama absolutely felt like the right choice straight away. I didn't know much about working with children in this age group, but complete training and support was given. I loved the fact we have minimal equipment, original music, and that the sessions are child-lead. When I watched my first ever Pyjama Drama session, I knew it was a magical thing. The small class sizes and total focus on children was a huge selling point for me, and the company's professionalism helped seal the deal. You can totally tell with Pyjama Drama that it's a family-led business and the owners have so much passion for it.

How did you secure finance for your franchise?

I saved up some of the money myself and took a loan out for the remaining balance. This is now paid off from my earnings – despite the pandemic!

What would you say to anyone thinking about taking on a franchise?

If you want to be in charge of your own destiny and love playing and pretending – go for it! It's an experience like no other. I love the fact you've essentially got a business in a box. It's been tried and tested by others, and the materials and resources are out there for you. You've got a support system close at hand. The Pyjama Drama network is very close, and we've supported each other tirelessly through the pandemic - you simply wouldn't get that from running a business on your own. And you work it around your own life! You choose the hours, the workload and how to run things. What you give is what you get when you run your own franchise...and there's nothing else I'd rather be doing!

For more information about the Pyjama Drama franchise opportunity just click below