Drama Kids has long championed the power of women in business. Founded in 1979 by Helen O’Grady, a trained drama teacher and actress from Perth, Australia, the brand has since grown into a global franchise with a network that is over 70% female and a predominantly female-led Head Office team. While the brand’s primary focus has always been on fostering children’s development, it has also provided a platform for women to thrive as entrepreneurs and leaders.

One of those women is Becky Goodfield. Having started her journey with Drama Kids as a teacher more than 20 years ago, she now leads the brand as Chief Operating Officer. We caught up with Becky to discuss her journey, her passion for drama education and what it means to be a female leader in a largely female-led franchise.

How did your journey with Drama Kids begin?
I first joined as a teacher in 2004, just a year after graduating. At the time, I was applying for a master’s degree in social work, but I was drawn to Drama Kids because of its holistic approach to developing people through drama. I started with just one class a week, but I quickly fell in love with the company. As opportunities arose, I took on more responsibility, eventually stepping into a Vice Principal role. That’s when I made the decision to change course and commit to Drama Kids full-time. The rest is history!

How did you go from teacher to franchise owner?
I was teaching and working as a Vice Principal in South Wales, and I loved every aspect of the business – from the curriculum and engagement with children to the support from Head Office and the relationships I built along the way. When the Principal of the academy announced they were relocating with their family, I wanted to continue working with the business. It felt like the natural next step to take on the running of the franchise and ensure that our students could continue benefiting from the programme.

What led you to sell your franchise and focus on Head Office?
For many years, I balanced running my franchise with working for Head Office. Owning an academy gave me invaluable insight into the practical and emotional demands of being a franchisee. But as my role at Head Office grew, it became clear that I couldn’t continue juggling both. Fortunately, I had a fantastic team of teachers who were ready to take on a new challenge. When the time came, I was able to pass the baton to them – knowing the franchise was in safe hands. Even now, my experience as a franchisee helps me better support our network because I truly understand what they go through.

How does your family fit into your career?
One of the best things about running a child-focused business is how well it blends with family life. Like many of our franchisees – both women and men – I brought my own children along to classes as babies. As they grew, they became students themselves and, even now, they attend local classes. It’s incredibly rewarding to see firsthand the impact our programme has on their confidence and development.

For many women in business, flexibility is key, and that’s something our franchise model naturally provides. Whether it’s managing a schedule around family life or building a career on their own terms, our franchisees – whatever their background – are able to create a business that works for them. Having a strong support system has always been essential for me, both at home and within Drama Kids, and I’m incredibly lucky to have people around me who believe in what I do and encourage me every step of the way.

How do you inspire and support your team?
People are at the heart of our business, and I genuinely love working with them. For me, leadership is about understanding people – what motivates them, what makes them happy and how they can grow. Making staff feel valued is so important. When people feel empowered, they thrive and that benefits the entire business.

Drama naturally brings creativity and energy into our work environment, but our management approach also plays a big role. We focus on empowering individuals, building confidence and fostering a culture where everyone feels like they’re making a meaningful contribution. That’s the winning formula for success!

What do you enjoy most about working with franchisees?
I speak with franchisees daily, and it’s one of the most rewarding parts of my job. We have such a dynamic, intelligent and passionate network, and I love being able to support them. Many of our franchisees are women who have taken the leap into business ownership, often while balancing other responsibilities, and it’s inspiring to see them thrive. But ultimately, what unites our entire network – regardless of gender – is the shared passion for helping children grow in confidence through drama.

Communication is at the heart of what we do – not just in our classes but in our business. We’re always looking for ways to strengthen relationships between Head Office and franchisees, as well as between franchisees themselves. Having been in their shoes, I know how important it is to have a support system. Running a business has its challenges, and having a network of people who understand your journey makes all the difference – especially in a brand that champions collaboration and personal growth.

How does it feel to be a female COO and be leading a franchise that is so female led?
It’s incredibly inspiring to be part of a brand that has always championed women. From its founding by Helen O’Grady to today’s 70% female network, Drama Kids demonstrates that women are great educators and business leaders.

For me, being a female COO isn’t just about leadership – it’s about creating opportunities for other women to thrive in business. Our franchise model gives women the flexibility to build successful careers while balancing family life, and that’s something I’m really proud to be part of. Every day, I see talented, passionate women running their own businesses and making a difference in children’s lives. It’s proof that when women support women, incredible things happen.

To find out more about franchise opportunities with Drama Kids, visit www.franchisingdramakids.com