Ex-teacher wins coveted award after taking 20 years’ experience in a creative direction
07-September-2023
A Birmingham teacher who wanted a change from full time teaching quit after 20 years at the chalkface has won a major award from the business sector she found refuge in.
Emma McCalla-John, now the owner of Creation Station Harborne, is the recipient of a Great British Franchisee Award, the most prestigious accolade in the highly competitive franchise industry.
It puts her among the elite of the franchising world and vindicates her decision, she says, to take her 20 years of experience into a sector that appreciated it.
“I worked so hard to get the business up and running and was thrilled to win The Creation Station Create Club Champion award two years in a row from 2019, followed by Franchisee of the Year in 2021.”
"Her drive and need to be creative was noticed immediately by the franchise," says The Creation Station’s CEO and Franchisor, Sarah Cressall.
“The franchise was awarded to her for her love of supporting children’s development and wanting to make a difference.
“No-one else in our business is running 20 after-school clubs a week, and Emma uses this to help leverage her other income streams including parties, family events, and teacher craft events.
“Emma is planning to launch holiday camps to further grow her business, she supports local charity events, and is very involved within the community.”
The former teacher, now six years into her new role, has added a third postcode area to her franchise territory and is dedicated to supporting creativity within schools.
“I've always been a creative person,” she says. “I started playing the saxophone at school, then the clarinet and after school and college studied music at The Birmingham Conservatoire.
“It was evident from the start of my franchise journey that schools were my thing. I have a passion for motivating children to have a go and be proud of what they do and make and achieve.
“There is no such thing as 'No' when it comes to creativity so if a child's creation is a panda with pink wings, then great!”
When asked what the award means to Emma, she replied, “Being recognised for doing something I love is so special. The Creation Station has given me the lifestyle I always wanted, and as the saying goes: when you do something you love, you never work again!”
• The Great British Franchisee Awards are run by whichfranchise, supported by Lloyds Bank, D&T, IBB Law, AMO Consulting and Chantry Group. https://www.whichfranchise.com/awards/