Onboard the Ventura
As I sit here onboard the Ventura, I am looking around and reflecting on how far Tappy Toes has come!
How it Started
I remember talking to my friend Vicki about the idea of Tappy Toes, over 20 years ago. I asked her ‘Do you think anyone would want a dance class for a two year old?’
She 100% believed in me and the Tappy Toes brand, to the extent where she lent me the £250 needed to get the name trademarked!! That’s where this journey began.
Here is our first ever logo.
It was created by a local printer in Watford where I lived at the time. I bought 10 yellow t-shirts from H&M aged 2-3 years, took them to the local printer and asked him to print Tappy Toes on them. I had no idea about logos, or branding, or websites or anything business related at all really! But I just knew I wanted to get little people dancing!
He created the logo and said ‘How about this’ I said ‘Great thanks!’ and that was that. 10 x yellow t-shirts, with Tappy Toes written across them in red. Our first logo was created for free, in about 10 minutes, by a very helpful printer!
I realised I needed to get some flyers printed to spread the word, and here is that very first flyer. Again, no idea about design or branding. I do look at it fondly though. It was cute!
So, there I was teaching my toddler dance classes in Watford, Hertfordshire (where I lived) and soon branching out to Rickmansworth too, due to demand, and then Bushey.
Tappy Toes At Sea
Never did I imagine that years later, I’d have 21 franchises (and counting) across the UK and be sending teachers onboard P&O cruises delivering our fabulous classes!
During the Covid lockdowns, I started revamping our syllabus and tweaking things to make it even better. I really am proud of the lesson plans that we have, that are completely unique to Tappy Toes.
We’ve had bespoke Warm up and Goodbye songs written for us, which I absolutely love. Now here I am dancing with all the mini passengers onboard the Ventura!
I have really had to pinch myself this week and am so proud that babies and toddlers near and far are enjoying the Tappy Toes syllabus.
Having danced all my life, it is obviously something I am extremely passionate about, so being able to share in so many children’s first experience of dance, is such a privilege. I really feel that a Tappy Toes class could spark a lifelong love of dance in children, and what a healthy hobby to maintain.
I have big plans for the Tappy Toes brand, so do watch this space!
You can find Tappy Toes teachers onboard the Ventura, Iona and Britannia every week, from now until July! If you're cruising in the next few months, make sure you come and say hello, and join us for some dancing fun!
Maybe you haven't booked yet? You can do so by visiting the P&O website.
Or if you're looking for a class on land, you can see our class locations here
