Hi, it’s Hannah from Boogie Beat Head Office, and today I’m super excited to chat with Polly Booth, our incredible franchisee who runs Boogie Beat in Nottingham East and surrounding areas. A few weeks ago, Polly was announced as a runner-up in the Nottingham Baby and Toddler Awards, and I couldn’t be more proud of everything she’s achieved in such a short time!
We thought it would be a great opportunity to catch up with Polly, learn a little bit more about her journey with Boogie Beat, and hear about her experience at the awards. So, grab a cup of tea and join us for this heartwarming conversation!
Hannah: Polly, thank you so much for chatting with me today! To kick things off, tell us a little about you and how you got started with Boogie Beat.
Polly: Thank you, Hannah! So, a bit about me – I used to be an Assistant Head Teacher at an inner-city primary school for many years. After having my little boy, I decided to take a career break, and I started thinking about what I wanted to do next. I knew I wanted to work with children, but I was also looking for something that would allow me to build a business and a career for me and my family.
I looked at a lot of franchises, but when I met you, Hannah, at Boogie Beat, I just knew it was the right fit. I loved the engaging nature of the classes, the imagination, and the storytelling elements, which were right up my alley. So, I decided to dive in, and I launched my Boogie Beat franchise in September last year. It’s been amazing! I’m running community classes, workshops, and even collaborating with some charity partners.
Hannah: I love hearing how your business has grown, Polly! Now, let’s talk about the awards. You were a runner-up in the Nottingham Baby and Toddler Awards—such an amazing accomplishment! What made you want to enter?
Polly: Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I should enter at first. I thought, “I’ve only just started, maybe it’s too soon for me.” But then, Rebecca, who runs the Nottingham Baby and Toddler Community, messaged me a couple of times with the logos for the Rising Star category. At first, I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I thought, “Okay, if I want to grow my business and get more exposure for Boogie Beat, I need to put myself out there.” The Nottingham Baby and Toddler Community is such a strong and supportive network, and I knew this was a great chance to get involved. So, I decided to go for it!
Hannah: And I’m so glad you did! The energy in the room at the awards must have been electric. What was the experience like for you?
Polly: It was amazing! The event was so well organised and it was just lovely to see everyone dressed up for the occasion. I think it’s such a rarity for many of us to get a chance to dress up like that, so it was really nice to have that opportunity to enjoy the evening.
When I walked into the event, I did feel a bit of impostor syndrome, especially because so many of the big names in the industry were there. But the girls at my table were so welcoming and eager to learn more about Boogie Beat, and that was such a wonderful feeling. There was so much positivity and energy in the room, and it was clear that everyone truly wanted to see each other succeed.
Hannah: That’s exactly what I love about this industry—it’s all about supporting one another. And it sounds like you made some great connections at the event. Where was the awards ceremony held?
Polly: It was held at Alia Casino in Nottingham. It had been years since I’d been to a casino, so that was a fun twist! The event was in a beautiful function room upstairs, decorated with a classy black-and-gold theme, sequins, balloons, and feathers—it looked stunning. It was also a black-tie event, which was a bit of a surprise for me, but it made the evening feel even more special.
I remember my little boy seeing me in my dress and saying, “Mommy, too posh!” It gave me a little crisis of confidence, but once I was there, it was just wonderful to feel part of something so glamorous and exciting!
Hannah: I can just imagine how special that moment was! And what an incredible experience it must have been when they called your name as the runner-up! How did you feel?
Polly: I honestly couldn’t believe it! It was the very first award of the evening, and I didn’t really know what to do. One of the ladies at my table had to prompt me to get up and go up to collect the award. I hadn’t expected to win, I entered mainly for the exposure and experience, so I was absolutely thrilled and proud when they called my name. The best part was getting so many congratulations from parents in my classes the following Monday—it made it feel even more real!
Hannah: We’re so proud of you, Polly, and it’s no surprise at all that you were recognised for your hard work and dedication. So, what’s next for your business? Any exciting plans for the future?
Polly: Yes! Over the next six months, I’m planning to grow my business even more. I’ll be launching in a new area across the river, which is really exciting. I’ll be starting afternoon classes there, and I’m also looking to expand my workshops. There’s so much potential, and I’m really excited to continue growing and helping more families enjoy what Boogie Beat has to offer.
In Conclusion
Polly’s journey with Boogie Beat is an inspiring one, and her runner-up award at the Nottingham Baby and Toddler Awards is just the beginning of what promises to be an incredible journey ahead. From her background in education to building a thriving business while balancing motherhood, Polly embodies the spirit of dedication and passion that makes Boogie Beat so special.
We’re incredibly proud of you, Polly! Congratulations again on your well-deserved recognition, and we can’t wait to see how your business continues to grow.
If you’re in the Nottingham East area and looking for fun, interactive music and movement classes for your little ones, be sure to check out Polly’s Boogie Beat classes. She’s making a real difference in the community, and you won’t want to miss out on all the fun!
Keep an eye on Polly’s journey as she continues to inspire and grow her business. The future is bright for Boogie Beat in Nottingham East! Head to our YouTube page to see this conversation taking place!
Want to book a Boogie Beat class? Visit Boogie Beat’s classes page and discover how we can support your child in our sessions through music, movement, and their imagination.
