Arcadia Academy of Music Franchise - CEOs, Pat and Maurizio Di Rauso
BeTheBoss.ca: Tell us about the Arcadia Academy of Music Franchise concept.
Pat and Maurizio Di Rauso: The Arcadia Academy of Music concept is simple yet effective – providing a personalized approach to delivering music education programs through quality and vision. This concept amalgamated with honesty, integrity and transparency has provided our longevity for the last 35 years. We believe that every child should be given the opportunity to be exposed to music, enriching their lives inside and outside the classroom and delivering music programs that revolutionize the way music is taught and learned.
Our curriculums are designed by some of the best music educators who also happen to be influential musicians in the industry. We recognize the importance of music education and actively pursue every beneficial opportunity that would increase the quality of our music programs at Arcadia Academy of Music. We would like our students to receive the best possible tutelage to ensure that when they step into the music industry as an active employee, they possess an edge over their competition. Our faculty across all Arcadia Academy of Music franchises comprises versatile, talented and educated individuals with worldly experience and a passion to inspire and educate students.
We also foster a philanthropically driven environment at Arcadia Academy of Music bringing together our staff, faculty, students and community members to inspire and motivate through creativity and support charitable endeavours. Hence, our students are not only educated to become leading musicians in the industry by means of our superlative curriculums alone but leading musicians with great character and values through community building.
BTB: How and when did you become involved with Arcadia Academy of Music Franchise?
PDR and MDR: In 1984, our father and founder of Arcadia Academy of Music, Carmine Di Rauso, opened the first Arcadia Academy of Music in Woodbridge, Ontario. It, being a family business and sons of the owner, we began working in the reception area as administrative assistants with our duties ranging from answering phones, writing letters to registering new students and greeting anyone who stepped into the school. A couple of years later, an Arcadia Music Store was added to the school with leading industry brands like Kawai, Yamaha, Kurtzweiler and Fender contributing to the products sold at the store. Sixteen (16) years later, my brother, Maurizio Di Rauso and I purchased the shares of the Arcadia Corporation from my father, becoming CEOs and building upon our father’s legacy. Recognizing our concept’s value in comparison to our competitors, we began franchising in 2008. Currently there are eight (10) franchises and one (1) corporate location.
BTB: What was your background prior to joining Arcadia Academy of Music Franchise?
PDR and MDR: As children, we wanted to be part of the family business. We always understood the value of being educated individuals and not too long after finishing high school, we began our rapid expansion and growth of Arcadia Academy of Music and our father’s vivid passion and love for Arcadia and music education, We were inspired and driven to carry on his legacy and make Arcadia Academy of Music one of the best private music schools in Canada.
BTB: What are some of the advantages in being an Arcadia Academy of Music Franchisee?
PDR and MDR: If someone were to purchase an Arcadia franchise, they would enjoy advantages over their competitors. The Arcadia brand is recognizable across Ontario and has received numerous industry awards annually for its quality and services. Through trial and error, the holistic package given to a franchisee has been tested over the last 35 years with a proven successful track record. The right tools from this package paired with the ideal franchisee would yield an advantage over their competitor making a clearer path for successfully running an Arcadia Academy of Music franchise.
BTB: Who is your ideal Arcadia Academy of Music franchisee?
PDR and MDR: The ideal franchisee would be an ambitious, motivated and business-oriented individual; one who exudes passion for working with people particularly children; someone who is an advocate for music education yet, might not possess a musical background. The ideal franchisee would also be an endowing individual that supports their community and is passionate about developing their community.
BTB: Tell us a little about the Music Market?
PDR and MDR: Due to the financial cuts of and/or on-going removal of music programs from Canadian Schools, there has been an increase and a bigger demand in the private music education sector of the music industry. With this, there is a steady increase of students enrolling in private music schools like Arcadia Academy of Music. With Arcadia Academy of Music leading in the private music education sector, owning a franchise would be a great investment.
BTB: What are some of the greatest lessons you’ve learned in growing the Arcadia Academy of Music franchise?
PDR and MDR: Growing Arcadia Academy of Music into a franchised business has taught us to consistently envision growth that not only benefits the head office but all franchisees. We have also learned to ensure that a prospective franchisee must share the same interests and passion for the brand in order to have an effective and amicable business relationship.
BTB: Do you have a mentor and is their someone you use for inspiration?
PDR and MDR: Every day, we acknowledge our mentor and inspiration, Carmine Di Rauso for being not only a great father but also a great man full of wisdom, passion and love, who continues to be the pillar of strength on which Arcadia Academy of Music is built. He had no musical background but possessed an indescribable passion for music education and believed in the concept he created that fueled the Arcadia brand. He always had a smile on his face and enjoyed working with people. From time to time, he would make a statement that has made an indelible mark on us. “We, as people, only have one thing and that is our word. Without that, we are nobodies.” In other words, honesty and integrity are the values that anyone working at Arcadia Academy of Music must possess to yield a successful business. It has been 35 years since Arcadia Academy of Music opened its first school and his wise statement has aided the school to stand the test of time.
BTB: What advice do you have for someone looking to acquire the Arcadia Academy of Music Franchise?
PDR and MDR: If someone were interested in acquiring a franchise, I would advise him or her to do so with the right intentions. Even though, they would own a franchise, it does not mean the franchise would operate on its own. The franchisee must be prepared to not only invest the financial equity but the sweat equity as well ensuring the daily operations of the franchise are always at an optimum level.
BTB: In your opinion, why do you think that the Arcadia Academy of Music franchise would be a great opportunity for someone?
PDR and MDR: In our opinion, owning an Arcadia Academy of Music franchise would be a great opportunity for someone. It is a successful music education business that has created a brand synonymous with superlative quality, it is recognizable across Ontario and has been awarded numerous industry awards. It is one of a handful of franchised music schools in Ontario that has existed for the last 35 years and has seen consistent growth. The Arcadia Academy of Music franchisor operates not only as a team leader but also a team player, always open to and supporting ideas of any franchisee. But most importantly, a franchisee will feel a unique sense of satisfaction knowing that their business educates children who are the future leaders of tomorrow and could make a positive impact on society.
