£17,995 + VAT – 100% government funding available
What kinds of flexible jobs are out there for older workers? We take a look.
The Seasons Art Class have been running part time art classes throughout the UK for nearly 15 years. Currently operating over 140 branches throughout the UK and in New Zealand.
After your residential training weekend, a series of Zoom training meetings, a set of comprehensive manuals, and access to video on various topics, we look after the launch for you. This includes tutor recruitment and training, finding you a suitable venue, supplying you with the marketing artwork, curriculum packs, and ongoing support to run your business. We even supply videos for you and your tutor for every single lesson to keep the standards in class high.
Investment of only £17,995 plus VAT until December 31st, 2024, includes a free landing page on our UK website. Additional start-up costs average around £6,000, and we can help you if finance is needed.
for 42 weeks of the year.
Want a part-time business with a full-time income?
The Seasons Art Class could be what you’re looking for:
Working on-site only one day a week, with a small amount of admin on the side from home, and ten weeks off a year, you can make up to £25,000 with one unit. It might sound too good to be true, but that is exactly what is possible with the Seasons Art Class. In fact, some of our longer-established branch owners are now exceeding what we ever thought possible, opening up additional sessions to cater for the overflow and increasing their profits. For some people, this can be a stand-alone business, whereas others prefer a second income offering a nice earnings boost!
The Seasons Art Class has been a proven franchise in the UK for nearly 15 years, where there are now over 130 branches. It is a step-by-step art class with a well-proven curriculum and teaching methods, with qualified tutors who we further train to present the lessons the Seasons way. The Seasons Art Class understands the importance of a five-star experience, with two team members on hand to provide a place for students to learn techniques in a range of media and develop their skills in a sociable, relaxed setting that enables students to achieve things they never thought possible. Operating via a series of 14-week programmes, the franchisees are only required to visit a teaching venue once a week to oversee the 2 x three-hour lessons, handle the admin, organize, and lay on the refreshments. All lessons are taught by experienced tutors, and we supply comprehensive curricula three times a year, provide all the marketing materials, and guidelines.
“We didn’t realize it when we were setting up our first art class in the height of the last recession, but we hit the ground running,” says Gen, one of the co-founders. “Our very first class was in Rustington on the South Coast, and it was fully booked, morning and afternoon. We quickly moved on to Horsham, Haywards Heath, Lewes, then Bexhill and Eastbourne, Chichester, and Haslemere, each branch achieving fantastic attendance numbers.”
“We worked hard though,” Gen explains. “We got out there with leaflets and posters just about everywhere, even standing in the city centre handing leaflets out to passersby. We really did put the effort in, and it paid off. Before we knew it, we had sold our first franchise down in Truro, and then another one quickly followed up in London, Maidenhead, Salisbury, and Canterbury. It’s just never really stopped spreading!”
“It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of because you see the difference in the customers from when they first come in and how they progress throughout the course. Not only achieving wonderful things, but becoming friends with you, the tutor, and their fellow classmates. What’s really lovely is at the end when we do an exhibition, and you see excited friends and family members coming in to see their work. It’s really just the best feeling to see how much you’re changing the lives of people in a positive way.”
As a proud “The Season’s Art Class Hassocks” franchisee, I’ve found a rewarding, fulfilling and flexible way to generate additional income whilst being able to comfortably balance the demands in my personal life, and my desire for this stage of my life to represent a significant change in my work-life balance to incorporate greater freedom and flexibility whilst still retaining a positive, impactful and rewarding professional development element to my career.
I’ve been fortunate to buy a franchise area near to where I live, with my chosen venue being at the heart of that town centre which makes running the business and getting to my art classes a far simpler task.
As a single parent this opportunity has been ideal, allowing me to manage my responsibilities efficiently and effectively. I needed something with good flexibility whilst still being a professionally challenging whilst enjoyable operation to manage, which is exactly what this model provides through;
The whole operation, and the ongoing success of it is heavily reliant upon great team work, camaraderie, enjoyment and supporting each other to be successful. Even the cleaning of tools and packing away of materials is a team effort! This not only makes the day run more efficiently but also fosters a massive sense of community and shared purpose within the class which resonates with all who take part.
I schedule my courses to avoid the busiest family times, such as summer holidays. This way, I can always be present when my daughter is at home, ensuring that my work doesn’t interfere with really important family moments whilst allowing for being fully focused and committed when I’m working.
Last but not least, another significant advantage of this franchise model is the ability to scale according to demand. Additional sessions can be timetabled in and booked to accommodate more students. Beyond the obvious financial benefits this is a significant driver to building momentum and has the knock on effect of enhancing participation in future courses and attracting new starters. The beauty of this model is that it allows for growth without incurring extra franchise fees, making it a highly efficient and profitable venture with tangible social, community and skills development benefits for all involved, and more importantly – it’s really fun for everyone! – Claire Martin, Business Owner Seasons Art Hassocks.
Jo Baldwin from Maidenhead was one of the first branch owners where she happily runs her classes with her tutor Liz. She had this to say: “I came across the Seasons Art Class over 10 years ago when I was looking for a part-time job and I’ve never looked back! It has been one of the best career decisions I have ever made. I run a very successful and enjoyable business which allows me to work one to two days a week and earn a great income with expert Support from the Seasons team. The courses are extremely well designed and the students absolutely love them! I have people who return time and time again year after year. If you are looking for a new career working in a fun and lucrative environment, I cannot recommend this franchise highly enough.”
Jackie Mansbridge from Pinner first encountered the Seasons Art Class at the Excel Franchise Show in Spring 2017 when she was looking to start her own franchise but had no idea in what field. “I wandered around the exhibition which was very interesting, but I wasn’t inspired by anything until I came across the Seasons’ stand. I was immediately taken with the concept as I have always wanted to do more art myself, and thought, if I don’t buy a franchise I would love to become a student. The prospect of combining a hobby and running my own business was very appealing.After several meetings where everything was explained to me in great depth (projected revenue, costs, how the courses are run etc etc), I decided to take the plunge and buy a franchise, and I am so pleased I did as I have had a fantastic experience over the last 7 years. “
“Seasons have provided support throughout and are always working to improve the courses for the students and the franchise owners alike. The profits outlined in the literature I was given at the outset, have turned out to be pretty accurate, despite my being based in London where some of my costs are inevitably higher than elsewhere.”
“In the past 7 years, we have had the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis to contend with, but with the support of head office, we adapted and successfully ran classes online during the lockdown periods. I am delighted to say my branch is still thriving, and we have some students who have been with us right from the start of the journey and are still enjoying the classes with us. I have had a fantastic experience, and really enjoy running the classes. I’ve learned so much, made loads of new friends, and had a lot of fun ….as well as earning the income I had hoped for.”
Another great success story but by no means the last, is from Jocelyn at Alton branch who spent many years working in the corporate industry. She was looking for something more fulfilling and personally rewarding. “Five years ago, I decided to take a leap of faith and join the Seasons Art Class. I now run four classes over two days a week.”
Jocelyn was one of the first to exceed our projections and run additional sessions over and above our standard model such was her success! She is now in her 5th year with Seasons:
“The most rewarding aspect of my job is seeing the joy and satisfaction our students get from the classes. Our classes are filled with like-minded people enjoying a fun and friendly atmosphere as they paint, socialise, and share their artistic journeys. Many of our students have formed lasting friendships, and the classes have become an important part of their lives, offering them a haven of inspiration and friendship.
The curriculum for returning students changes every term and so the course is always different and challenging, so much so that most of our students come back time and time again.”
“Seeing our students’ progress and their growing confidence in their artistic abilities is incredibly fulfilling and reminds me why I made the transition from the corporate world to pursue this path. Seasons Art Class gives you the opportunity to run a profitable business on a part time basis and bring pleasure to others.”
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55/Redefined is excited to announce the successful acquisition of the assets of WM People, the powerhouse organisation behind National Older Workers Week and a leading provider of job board and inclusive talent solutions for people in mid-life.
Trading for 18 years, WM People incorporated Working Wise, Working Mums and Working Dads and National Older Workers Week, generating 2.5m job applications for major brands such as McDonalds, Next, Nespresso and Phoenix Group. This strategic acquisition not only strengthens 55/Redefined’s position in the UK market but also expands its capabilities, creating new opportunities to deliver age-inclusive solutions for both candidates and employers.
The acquisition will enable 55/Redefined to extend the reach of National Older Workers Week internationally, promoting the importance of age diversity across global markets. Through this expansion, 55/Redefined aims to set a new benchmark for empowering older workers, championing age-positive hiring practices, and ensuring inclusive workforce solutions for companies worldwide.
National Older Workers Week will retain its distinct identity and 55/Redefined will integrate all other WM People brands into its existing portfolio: Jobs-Redefined.co, Life-Redefined.co, and Work-Redefined.co.
This integration offers clients a consolidated suite of high-quality solutions and enhances candidate reach across sectors, providing job seekers in mid-life with more pathways to meaningful employment. Through the expanded portfolio, clients will benefit from increased candidate traffic and the ability to access a broader, more experienced talent pool dedicated to building dynamic and inclusive workplaces.
“WM People has built an exceptional legacy over the past 18 years, championing age diversity and inclusive employment,” says Lyndsey Simpson, CEO/Founder of 55/Redefined. “We are thrilled to continue their work by integrating these well-respected brands into our business, ensuring ongoing support for their clients and the hundreds of thousands of candidates they’ve impacted. Since we launched in 2021, we have celebrated National Older Workers Week alongside them, and it is with great pride that we take over the leadership of this initiative, expanding it further across global markets and building on its incredible momentum.”
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