Celebrating Success
When Passion Meets Purpose: Inspiring PerformerPreneur Stories
Meet the 18 performers-turned-entrepreneurs behind Spotlight on Success, the Amazon #1 bestseller. Each one shares how they went from stage to page, and how the passion that drove their performing career found a new purpose beyond the stage door.
About the Book
Real stories from performers who found new spotlights off stage
Spotlight on Success is a collaborative book curated by Nicole Louise Geddes, founder of PerformerPreneur®. It brings together performers who stepped away from the traditional showbiz path to write exciting new chapters, find success in new spotlights and build businesses of their own, from circus schools and costume companies to dance studios and coaching platforms. Your performer talents have no limits.
Each chapter is an honest, heartfelt account of redefining success, packed with insight for anyone wondering what comes next. The second edition launched in June 2026 with four brand new voices, and became an Amazon #1 bestseller in even more categories.
Foreword
“The spotlight has always belonged to you. This book will show you just how far it can reach.”
Denise Hutton-Gosney
Founder of Razzamataz Theatre Schools and Dragons’ Den investment winner
Meet the co-authors
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Collaboration Host
Nicole Louise Geddes
PerformerPreneur® & Manic Stage Productions
ChapterWhen Passion Meets Purpose
Nicole stepped away from the stage to found Manic Stage Productions in 2005, then created PerformerPreneur®, the coaching platform helping performers pivot into business with pride.
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From performing on both stage and screen to choreographing in New York and producing entertainment for international cruise lines, Nicole has lived the dream and reshaped it. She curated this collection so every performer can glimpse the success waiting for them both on the stage and beyond the stage door.
Jessica Hill
Showtime Circus
ChapterThe Joy in the Journey
A circus artist and dancer who performed in shows around the world, Jess opened Showtime Circus in 2018 and used lockdown to grow it into a franchise.
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Today she supports franchisees across the country to bring circus skills to children, with a model built around working for yourself while never working by yourself.
Deirdre Kearns
The Original Dance Academy
ChapterTrust in Yourself and Keep Going
A science graduate who followed her heart into dance, Deirdre trained in Dublin and the USA before a career that took her across Europe and onto cruise ships.
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She now runs The Original Dance Academy in the midlands of Ireland, specialising in acro-dance for young dancers and bringing dance into local primary schools.
Vicki Bye
Royle Costumes
ChapterBuild the Life You Were Meant to Love
Told during training that she would never dance professionally, Vicki went on to perform with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, then founded Royle Costumes, performance wear designed by performers.
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What began as a creative project between contracts is now her main business, with collaborations including TUI Cruises and Universal Studios Orlando.
Bunny the D’Vine
The B’Hive, Zürich
ChapterYou Are Allowed
Multi-award-winning burlesque performer, choreographer and mentor, Bunny built The B’Hive in Zürich into a creative home where women rediscover their confidence.
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From humble beginnings in São Paulo to headlining festivals around the world, Bunny is living proof that it is never too late to answer your calling.
Rebecca Griffiths
Ruby Flames Entertainment Ltd
ChapterFind Your Purpose
Former primary school teacher turned award-winning entertainment entrepreneur, Rebecca brings stilt walkers, fire performers and aerialists to events worldwide.
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Highlights include Boomtown, Glastonbury and festive seasons at a luxury resort in the Maldives. She also runs Wild Fae Tutoring and Wild Fae Entertainment as head fairy Bluebelle.
Rebecca Bernice Amissah
Gospel Essence
ChapterBeing Naive to the Rules Can Be Your Greatest Asset
Singer, songwriter, actress and vocal coach, Rebecca founded Gospel Essence in 2010 and has worked with artists including Basement Jaxx, Alexandra Burke and Marti Pellow.
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She has sung for King Charles at the London Palladium, performed on West End stages and co-written a song for the new musical The Good Enough Mums Club.
Lucy Shrimpton
Born To Be Brilliant® & The Sleep Nanny®
ChapterBeyond the Applause
Former girl-band singer turned award-winning franchisor and speaker, Lucy is the founder of The Sleep Nanny® and Born To Be Brilliant®, home of the holistic success movement.
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Named New Woman Franchisor of the Year, she has spoken at The Baby Show and The Franchise Show, and guides members of The Holistic Success Hub towards purpose-driven lives.
Cerys Keneally
Approaching Schools Academy
ChapterYour Greatest Role Yet
Award-winning consultant and TEDx speaker, Cerys helps former teachers, performers and activity providers build stable businesses working with schools and nurseries.
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A former schoolteacher and dance school owner, she created the Approaching Schools Challenge, which has reached and supported thousands of children’s activity providers.
Michael French
Razzamataz Theatre School & We Make Footballers
ChapterI’m Trained to Stand Confidently Here
Twelve years in musical theatre took Michael from the London Palladium to international tours, dancing for Sir Elton John and appearing in the Barbie movie.
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Today he runs a Razzamataz Theatre School and We Make Footballers sessions in Hertfordshire, helping young people build confidence and life skills.
Victoria Bremner
The Dance Boss Coach & VB Dance
ChapterThe Evolution of Growth
Amazon bestselling author and coach for dance school owners, Victoria draws on two decades of running her own award-winning dance school in West Sussex.
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An affiliate teacher of The Royal Ballet School and author of Breathe, Feel, Flow, she helps dance school owners grow profitable businesses that support family life.
Kitty Campari
The Successful Showgirl
ChapterIt’s Never Too Late to Go After Your Dreams
Kitty swapped medical training for the circus, became a professional burlesque performer and now coaches performers to become business-savvy, well-paid professionals.
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In 2022 she launched The Showgirl Conference, the UK’s first burlesque business conference, held every January in Southport.
Lucy Kate Daly
Lucy Kate Star Academy
ChapterFinding the Spotlight Again
After years dancing on stages and cruise ships worldwide, Lucy founded Lucy Kate Star Academy in Portsmouth, a performing arts school where everybody belongs.
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She went from a little girl dreaming of a life full of dance to being named an Inspirational Woman of Portsmouth for making that dream come true.
Kirsty Anderson
KLA Fitness
ChapterHappiness and Reflection
Founder of KLA Fitness, Kirsty brings her community together through Pilates, dance classes and joyful movement.
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A Level 4 Pilates instructor and dance teacher, she turned a career-threatening injury into a mission to help others move confidently and safely.
New for the 2nd edition
Emma Bright
Embody Dance Studio & Future Dance Teachers
ChapterChoreograph Your Own Path
Emma founded Embody Dance Studio in 2009 and created Embody Future Dance Teachers, an accredited training programme for young assistant teachers, now used by more than 60 dance schools across the UK.
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Her mission, Giving Everybody the Chance to Dance, began in SEND schools and earned her the Inclusivity Award at the Dance Business Conference.
New for the 2nd edition
Sammie Searle
Boogie Tots
ChapterNot Bossy. The Boss.
Founder and franchisor of Boogie Tots, Sammie helps performers build flexible children’s dance businesses that fit around family life.
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After more than 26 years in entertainment with brands including Butlins and Haven, she was named Kent Woman in Business Mumpreneur of the Year 2025.
New for the 2nd edition
Hannah Hannon
HVA
ChapterThe Business of Show Business
A performer on sabbatical, Hannah founded HVA to give the entertainment and creative industries strategic business and operational support from someone who knows the industry inside out.
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Her award-winning business helps performers, production companies and entertainment-led businesses feel organised, confident and free to focus on their craft.
New for the 2nd edition
Helen Wallis
TADAA – The Alternative Dramatic Arts Academy
ChapterMy Journey, Their Spotlight
After twenty years as a musical theatre performer, choreographer and Cruise Director, Helen founded TADAA and TADAA Ultimate Dance Parties and Events.
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Trained at Guildford School of Acting, she now coaches young people into the industry and has taught at Move It, the world’s largest dance convention.