Wednesday 16 January 2013
A little insight into where we came from...
Apex was formed in 2005 with the vision of increasing the accessibility of sports and leisure activities for children. With the help from various educational experts and advisors Apex developed a comprehensive teaching and delivery programme covering a wide range of sports and dance disciplines promoting health and wellbeing. This delivery structure and programme was an instant success with schools and local organisations alike and demand grew at a dramatic rate. Within the first few years of operation Apex was already on course to achieve their vision. The business had grown, employing over 40 staff members delivering sports, dance and leisure activities in schools to over 5000 children every week.
Over the years Apex has established strong links with many key organisations within the sports and leisure sectors including many National Governing Bodies, Sports & Art Partnerships and Local Government Organisations. These close ties have led Apex to evolve and develop in line with the various organisations requirements ensuring Apex remains the leading and prefered coaching brand and first point of contact for delivery of government sport and dance initiatives. To date these organisations have funded over £750,000 to Apex classes in the Hertfordshire area alone.
With television programmes such as Britain’s Got Talent, Got to Dance & X-Factor making a regular appearance on Saturday evening prime time television the Dance & Performing Arts classes became an instant success with many children wanting to emulate their favourite stars dance moves. As demand grew Apex capitalised on the increased interest and developed its products and services to include Dance Shows and Competitions, Birthday Parties, Saturday Schools, Musical Theatre Camps and Workshops adding further revenue streams and strengthening the business model.
As the business expanded inline with the demand, dance and performing arts was proving to be the most successful and profitable arm of the business. Therefore in late 2012, after 2 years of development the first two Apex Dance & Performing Arts franchises were launched.
Jodie Holley, a 22 year old student from Watford launched the first franchise in September 2012. Jodie has a background in performing arts and has travelled to various holiday resorts delivering entertainment and drama classes to holiday goers, but has had no previous management or business experience. Therefore she was very keen to purchase a franchise with high levels of support and interaction with head office.
Jodie’s franchise has been developed on the basis of a teacher-led model, allowing Jodie to keep teaching classes, a passion she has had for many years. Since the launch of Jodie’s franchise the business is now projected to exceed 1st year projections by a staggering 56% generating £125,000 in turnover and over £25,000 in profit. To keep up with the demand Jodie now employs 8 full time and part time staff members to manage individual staff teams and to build relationships with schools and clients.
Apex’s second franchise also launched in September 2012, with a different business model. The investor wanted to launch a business which could guarantee a steady income with very little risk and minimal involvement. They already had a keen eye for business, but no background in the performing arts or dance. The franchise was therefore established and launched as a management franchise and quickly employed 4 part time staff members which was generating close to £2000 profit every month from the sessions that were running. In light of the success the investors have now employed a full time staff member to oversee and manage the day to day operations of the business allowing their franchise to grow further.
Both franchises are exceeding expectations and proving successful profitable businesses. Over the next few months Apex will go through an extensive brand marketing programme and is set to significantly expand in 2013 with an anticipated further 6 franchisees joining the network.
Apex will also be developing their alternative revenue streams, increasing the merchandise portfolio and launching a new line of Apex Kit, Uniform, Gradings and Certificates in the coming months. Apex are also in talks with a few well known dance troupes in the aim of finding an Apex Dance or Performing Arts Ambassador to be the face of the brand.
As a part of Apex’s brand marketing programme they will be exhibiting at the National Franchise Show at the NEC Birmingham on the 22nd and 23rd of February 2013; and the MOVE IT Exhibition on the 8th, 9th and 10th of March at Kensington Olympia. Come along and find out some more information about Apex with an informal chat with our existing franchisees and company directors. If you can't make these dates Apex also hold Discovery Days every month providing an indepth look into Apex and the franchise opportunity. For more information please visit www.apex360.co.uk
Over the years Apex has established strong links with many key organisations within the sports and leisure sectors including many National Governing Bodies, Sports & Art Partnerships and Local Government Organisations. These close ties have led Apex to evolve and develop in line with the various organisations requirements ensuring Apex remains the leading and prefered coaching brand and first point of contact for delivery of government sport and dance initiatives. To date these organisations have funded over £750,000 to Apex classes in the Hertfordshire area alone.
“Apex are one of our leading coaching agencies and are committed to doing things properly”
John O’Callaghan Club, Coach & Sports Development Manager, Hertfordshire Sports Partnership.
With television programmes such as Britain’s Got Talent, Got to Dance & X-Factor making a regular appearance on Saturday evening prime time television the Dance & Performing Arts classes became an instant success with many children wanting to emulate their favourite stars dance moves. As demand grew Apex capitalised on the increased interest and developed its products and services to include Dance Shows and Competitions, Birthday Parties, Saturday Schools, Musical Theatre Camps and Workshops adding further revenue streams and strengthening the business model.
As the business expanded inline with the demand, dance and performing arts was proving to be the most successful and profitable arm of the business. Therefore in late 2012, after 2 years of development the first two Apex Dance & Performing Arts franchises were launched.
Jodie Holley, a 22 year old student from Watford launched the first franchise in September 2012. Jodie has a background in performing arts and has travelled to various holiday resorts delivering entertainment and drama classes to holiday goers, but has had no previous management or business experience. Therefore she was very keen to purchase a franchise with high levels of support and interaction with head office.
Jodie’s franchise has been developed on the basis of a teacher-led model, allowing Jodie to keep teaching classes, a passion she has had for many years. Since the launch of Jodie’s franchise the business is now projected to exceed 1st year projections by a staggering 56% generating £125,000 in turnover and over £25,000 in profit. To keep up with the demand Jodie now employs 8 full time and part time staff members to manage individual staff teams and to build relationships with schools and clients.
Apex’s second franchise also launched in September 2012, with a different business model. The investor wanted to launch a business which could guarantee a steady income with very little risk and minimal involvement. They already had a keen eye for business, but no background in the performing arts or dance. The franchise was therefore established and launched as a management franchise and quickly employed 4 part time staff members which was generating close to £2000 profit every month from the sessions that were running. In light of the success the investors have now employed a full time staff member to oversee and manage the day to day operations of the business allowing their franchise to grow further.
Both franchises are exceeding expectations and proving successful profitable businesses. Over the next few months Apex will go through an extensive brand marketing programme and is set to significantly expand in 2013 with an anticipated further 6 franchisees joining the network.
Apex will also be developing their alternative revenue streams, increasing the merchandise portfolio and launching a new line of Apex Kit, Uniform, Gradings and Certificates in the coming months. Apex are also in talks with a few well known dance troupes in the aim of finding an Apex Dance or Performing Arts Ambassador to be the face of the brand.
As a part of Apex’s brand marketing programme they will be exhibiting at the National Franchise Show at the NEC Birmingham on the 22nd and 23rd of February 2013; and the MOVE IT Exhibition on the 8th, 9th and 10th of March at Kensington Olympia. Come along and find out some more information about Apex with an informal chat with our existing franchisees and company directors. If you can't make these dates Apex also hold Discovery Days every month providing an indepth look into Apex and the franchise opportunity. For more information please visit www.apex360.co.uk
Wednesday 9 January 2013
2013 and beyond
2013 and beyond....
As a consequence of our strong growth, we are delighted to introduce, Apex 360, our specialist franchise and sports consultancy business. Our organisation continues to expand and in order to continue to meet the needs of our stakeholders, we are delighted to announce the following positional changes within the wider Apex family to cater for the next leg of growth in 2013 and beyond.
Gary Insley joined the Apex Senior Management team in 2011 and has since developed and launched Apex 360 Ltd alongside Stewart Hunt. Gary and Stewart are now currently focusing on the franchising and management operations of the Apex Dance and Performing Arts Brand.
Lizzy Duck who has been a part of the Apex team since 2006 is now taking full control as Managing Director of Apex Multisports, Hertfordshire. Lizzy has developed many relationships with key organisations across Hertfordshire and will now be the main day-to-day contact for all Apex Multisports and Birthday Enquiries.
Ricky Boxall has been promoted to Camps Controller and is now taking control of all camp operations in the Hertfordshire area. Ricky has worked across all our camps and is set to develop our camp programme, delivering more activities to even more children. Last year we delivered 18 camps to 550 children which in a short timeframe is a wonderful achievement and we hope to continue to expand our growing franchise in this area. This year we expect to cater for up to 700 children, growth of 27%.
Jodie Holley launched the first Apex Dance and Performing Arts Franchise in September 2012 in the South Hertfordshire region and under her direct leadership, the business has responded strongly. In 4 months Jodie has developed her franchise and now employs 8 members of staff, delivering over 60 classes to more than 1000 children every week. Jodie also organised the first ever Apex Flash Mob with over 100 Apex children. Jodie’s business is on course for year on year growth of 56%, proving that focus and personal alignment adds something extra to our offer.
Andrea Campusano is now taking control of our second franchise Apex Dance, Central Hertfordshire. As of the New Year Andrea is set to develop the Dance and Performing Arts Opportunities in the areas of St Albans, Harpenden, Welwyn, Hatfield and Hertsmere; and we are really excited to see the franchise develop in the same way that Jodie Holley's has.
Stewart Hunt has stepped up to CEO and is taking a more strategic role in overseeing the broader Apex business. Given the trajectory of the business, managing the overall growth and managing the brand presence that creates is now a full time job; consequently he has stepped down from his previous roles to focus full time on developing the franchising operations.
We are really excited for the year ahead and believe the new management team will continue to provide you with excellent sports coaching and customer service.
Thank you for your continued support and we wish you all the best for 2013.
Best wishes,
Apex
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