This week I've been a busy bee! I'm relieved to have finished the last coat of paint in the studio, yipee!
I've arranged to meet a selection of arts enthusiasts who have applied to assist me with Amplify's day to day operations. I'm really looking forward to bringing someone on board as an ambassador for my brand and being able to provide them with the opportunity to extend their arts experience. As well as searching for a suitable freelance helper, I've decided to spend the next few weeks networking and promoting classes. I've launched social media for 'Amplifytalentuk' and started chit chatting. The graphic designer I'm working with, whipped up this fantastic cover photo. I love it, it's so playful! I'm determined that when those studio doors can eventually open, there will be plenty of students raring to go.
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This week Amplify's sign went up outside the venue and a wave of excitement came over me! There are only three weeks left before my first classes open but still quite a bit to be done. Alongside setting up administrative operations, I've been chipping away at the last coat of paint in the studio. Next, the floor will need to be levelled before the top surface can be laid. After this, the re-upholstered seating, mirrors and ballet barres will be installed. Before adding finishing touches. For now, time to start spreading the word with my first batch of flyers! Alongside the studio renovation, the branding of Amplify is starting to take shape. After brainstorming with a graphic designer, we agreed that Amplify's services are so diverse that simple is best in terms of branding. We've chosen a vibrant colour scheme which has an energetic vibe. The bright yellow really makes me smile :) And the logo can be shortened to an A* star icon, making a positive statement about the result of hard work. So, the first batch of flyers have now been sent to print and sample tees are on order. I'm so excited to start spreading the word and enrol Amplify's first budding performers! But there's still a lot to do including the website and just one month until launch. I'm absolutely loving being rushed off my feet and turning my vision into reality. My friends and family are all really excited about the launch of Amplify, so I thought I'd round up the troops at 9 am on bank holiday Monday to make some real progress with the painting. Even my dog Fudge came along! We pulled up all the old carpet tiles ready for the new flooring, took out the walled seating to be re-upholstered and completed one coat of the wall space and ceiling. The room is 120 square meters, so I'm not sure I'll still be smiling by the end of the second coat!
The main studio room housed three large AND VERY HEAVY snooker tables that had barely been used in almost 10 years! Over two days, I helped package them up for storage to reveal the soon to be dance space. I couldn't help but do a skip, hop and jump across the room once it was empty. It really is a fantastic space for performing arts, which on a more challenging note means a huuuuuge space to decorate.
Not even my birthday is a day off. I arrived at the studio in my painting gear, ready to finish the second coat in the reception area. But low and behold this room had already been finished! I had absolutely no idea that my boyfriend had been secretly finishing this room and couldn't have asked for a better birthday present. What a transformation, the floor is perfect and black contrast to the cream walls really gives a professional vibe. So after this amazing surprise, I gave myself the rest of the day off...AFTER noting down the next plan of action for renovating of the main studio room.
Second Sunday afternoon decorating at the studio and the reception area is already looking much fresher! Lick of paint on the walls, doors and skirting and we're almost ready to lay the floor in this room. By starting with this little space, I knew it would act as a motivator to tackle the huge 120 sq meter studio. They say big journeys begin with small steps don't they!
I was once told "your dreams aren't big enough if they don't scare you" and funnily enough the next thing I know, I'm appearing on one of the biggest programmes on TV. I'm a performer, so I wondered how to upstage that amazing experience? By launching my dream of course!! I've always loved the arts and helping people realise they are talented so I'm really excited about Amplify. I'm so excited, I'm smiling while getting my hands dirty and mucking in with the refurb. Welcome to Red Star Park, which I'm excited to announce will be the very first pop up venue for Amplify! This club has an abundance of facilities and is the home of Red Star Athletic, a local charter standard football club.
Believe it or not, this working men's snooker room WILL be transformed into a performing arts studio! It seems apt that it's based in my home town and I can't wait to open the doors to provide young people with a place to develop their talent! But first, I've got LOTS of hard graft to do... |
AuthorLife behind the scenes with Amplify founder Jemma Bird. Archives
May 2020
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