The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
It’s definitely been a steep learning curve. The creative side of the business feels very natural to me, but the marketing and tech side doesn’t! Learning to use platforms like Canva, creating social media content, building confidence with computer systems – those are skills I happily avoided for years.
I’ve also learned some practical lessons along the way. For example, school holiday workshops aren’t always particularly profitable when you factor in the hours of administration, marketing and preparation involved. That was an important realisation. But I’ve come to see that growth isn’t measured purely in monetary terms. Sometimes the real value lies in raising awareness, trialling a new idea, testing a different venue or simply getting your name out into the community.
There have been quieter seasons too – times when enrolment numbers ebb and flow, and you have to remind yourself that building something sustainable takes time. Staying resilient during those periods has been part of the journey. I’ve learned to zoom out and look at the bigger picture rather than focusing on one slow term or one workshop that didn’t fill.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
There are definitely plenty of ups and downs in that first year of running a business. It’s a constant learning curve. When I zoom out and look at the bigger picture, I can see that I’m heading in the right direction, even if some weeks feel more wobbly than others.
The pros are significant. The creative freedom is probably at the top of the list – being able to teach in a way that truly aligns with my values and philosophy feels incredibly grounding. I get to design experiences that prioritise imagination, process and child-led ideas, without compromising.
There’s also the very lovely “perk” of having a legitimate excuse to spend time in my favourite bookshops, sourcing beautiful children’s literature for classes!
Perhaps the most rewarding part, though, is seeing how deeply children engage with the stories and witnessing the positive impact on their confidence and creativity – watching a child light up when they share an idea or step into a role wholeheartedly. Collaborating with other like-minded creatives during school holiday workshops has also been such a highlight. There’s something very energising about building something alongside people who share your vision.
And of course, the flexibility is invaluable. Being able to shape my schedule so I can be present for school runs and spend school holidays with my own daughter is something I don’t take for granted.
That said, there are challenges. Wearing all the hats at once can be exhausting – teacher, marketer, administrator, bookkeeper, content creator and mum! It takes a lot of energy to continually give out creatively while also managing the practical side of the business.
Financial uncertainty is another reality, particularly in these early years when I’m investing in resources and materials to establish strong foundations. Enrolments can fluctuate throughout the year, and that unpredictability requires resilience and careful planning.
Then there are the long hours behind the scenes. Marketing and creating social media content can be surprisingly time-consuming, but it’s a necessary part of sustaining and growing the business.
For me, though, the pros far outweigh the cons. Even on the challenging days, I know I’m building something meaningful and that makes the hard work worthwhile.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I feel like we’re still very much at the beginning, which is exciting. Right now, I’m hoping for positive outcomes from a couple of funding applications that would allow me to run school holiday workshops in a way that’s more accessible for families and more sustainable for me too.
This year I’m also thrilled to be working with December & Co to develop a website. Up until now, much of our growth has been through word of mouth and social media, so having a dedicated online home for Storybox Drama feels like an important next step. It will make it easier for families to find us and really understand what we’re about.
I’m also looking forward to deepening collaborations with other creative practitioners. I’d love to connect with the local Art Gallery as well and explore offering process drama responses to specific artworks.
Further down the track, I have dreams of expanding into creative movement classes inspired by stories. There are lots of ideas quietly forming. Watch this space!
Find Storybox Drama on Facebook and Instagram to find out more about their Homeschool and Afterschool classes and our School Holiday workshops. You can also search Storybox Drama Christchurch on Google to read their business reviews and hear from families who have experienced their classes.
