Global Franchise 10.3

hen we created The Seasons Art Class in 2009, it began as a way to help a friend whose art shop was about to close during the recession,” says GenevieveWoodford, co- founder and CEO of The Seasons Art Class. “We were simply looking for a way to keep that single studio alive, but as soon as my co founder Mike devised a model to make it work, he could see something much bigger. “One evening he came home and said, “We’re going to run art classes and we’re going to turn it into a franchise.” I remember being taken aback by the scale of that leap, but he already understood what we had stumbled upon. Adults were not just craving creativity. They were craving connection. And this time, that insight was built into the model from the very start.” That realization would go on to shape far more than a single studio. It became the foundation of what is now the UK and Europe’s largest adult art class franchise, with 130+ branches and more than 5,000 students attending weekly. “Our growth reflects a wider shift taking place across the franchising sector. We believe today’s most successful franchisees aren’t only chasing revenue; they’re also looking for fulfillment,” adds Woodford. This shift is increasingly visible in the profile of today’s franchise buyer. “The newwave of franchise buyers isn’t stepping away from commercial ambition – far from it. Instead, they’re seeking robust business opportunities that can be built with flexibility. Many of our strongest franchisees come from business and professional backgrounds, often at a life stage where balance matters, but commercial rigor still does too,” she explains. The Seasons Art Class allows owners to start with as little as one day a week – often alongside existing employment – while retaining clear options for growth. Franchisees don’t need to be artists themselves. They focus on running and developing the business, while trained tutors deliver the classes. Demand for creative wellbeing experiences continues to grow, particularly among active retirees, and many students return term after term. This creates predictable recurring income and a stable commercial base. Even at one day a week, the model delivers strong returns. As franchisees add additional classes or venues, income scales directly through increased course fees and retail sales, without a corresponding rise in complexity. This makes the business both highly manageable and genuinely scalable, allowing owners to grow at their own pace and build a meaningful long-term enterprise rather than hitting a fixed ceiling. Supporting that growth is a framework designed to balance commercial discipline with personal reward. “We support franchisees with comprehensive training, ongoing mentoring, national brand marketing, and a proven operating framework. What sets the model apart is that commercial performance and personal satisfaction reinforce one another, rather than compete,” explains Woodford. “Every week, someone walks in nervous and walks out proud. That sense of impact never fades.” Looking ahead, Woodford believes this alignment between purpose and performance will define the strongest franchise brands, the next decade belonging to franchise brands that deliver social connection, support wellbeing, offer flexibility without sacrificing commercial strength, and build loyal communities of returning customers. “The Seasons Art Class is proud to be at the forefront of that shift, demonstrating that a franchise can be financially robust, purpose-led, and lifestyle-driven at the same time.” F O R F U R T H E R I N F O R M A T I O N Contact GenevieveWoodford, co-founder &CEO Email: info@theseasonsartclass.com W Years established: 15 Number of units: 132 Locations: UK, Europe Total Investment: Minimum £18,995 + VAT (total investment £28,000-£30,000) FRANCH I SE OVERV I EW Purpose-led franchising L I F E S T Y L E The most successful franchisees are choosing meaning as well as money, says Genevieve Woodford, co-founder and CEO of The Seasons Art Class Total investment: £28K-£30K +VAT “ 79 GLOBAL-FRANCHISE.COM THE SEASONS ART CLASS Behind the Brand | PARTNER CONTENT