CEO Tommy Balaam Gives An Insight Into The Captain Fantastic Franchise Concept!
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Find out all about the UK's number one children's entertainment company in our exclusive CEO interview revealing Tommy's background into franchising, what Captain Fantastic looks for in potential franchisees, and why Captain Fantastic could be your perfect franchise!
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1. Tell us about the Captain Fantastic concept.
Captain Fantastic specialise in organising children’s parties, family fun days and corporate events.
Entertaining at over 2000 events a year, we are the go-to company for large corporations such as LinkedIn, IHG, The Ritz, GOSH, Nickelodeon, Pokémon and the Mayfair Arts Club. We have an incredible team of professionally trained actors and performers, proudly voted the UK’s number one children’s entertainment company with over 550 five-star reviews.
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2. How and when did you become involved with Captain Fantastic?
I set up Captain Fantastic in 2010 to help support my acting career. Since then I have put the acting on hold because I realised that entertaining children was something I became very passionate about and find them the most rewarding audience.
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3. What was your background prior to joining Captain Fantastic?
I trained at East 15 Acting School and went on to have the pleasure of working on Doctors (BBC), featuring in a PlayStation Advert, doing a voiceover on an NSPCC advert, being the lead in a feature film called 4am, which was aired on London Live and many more amazing opportunities!
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4. What are some of the advantages in being a Captain Fantastic franchisee?
Our Franchises have been developed by ‘performers’ for ‘performers’. It’s very hard to stay motivated in your career when financially you don’t make enough to support yourself.
The majority of work is on weekends, which suits a working performer however, if you lead a busy life, we will also train you on how to find entertainers in your area.
After three years we aim to make you 50k profit per year, making you financially stable to focus on your performance career.
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5. Who is your ideal franchisee?
Ideally someone with a performance or teaching background as they have the skills and confidence to ‘perform’ in front of children and keep them engaged. In the first year your income is better if you are performing at the parties.
We find that performers and teachers have the perfect skillset to market and develop partnerships within the area.
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6. What are some of the great lessons you’ve learned in growing this franchise?
Having watched our franchise develop and grow, it’s great being able to offer an opportunity to people that also supports their lifestyle, whilst allowing them to add another ‘string to their bow’.
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7. Do you have a mentor and is there someone you use for inspiration?
My family have always run their own businesses which gave me the confidence to go forwards with setting up my own. I think it is very important to have a support network that can advise you in challenging times.
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8. What advice do you have for someone looking to acquire a Franchise?
Most businesses fail early on, which is why it is the best option to buy-in to a franchise, however, having said that, with a franchise you are essentially still setting up a business and so hard work is required to make you succeed.
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9. In your opinion why do you think that Captain Fantastic would be a fantastic opportunity for someone?
There are three things everyone looks for in life:
Wealth -our franchise will make people financially stable
Health -you will keep yourself fit and mentally happy by dancing around with the children!
… and Happiness; we are selling happiness... we share the best moments of children’s lives, from their first birthday, their christening to their first school party.
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