Joel Kern

Still only, 31, Joel Kern started Make Believe 16 years ago. The company provides drama, dance and singing training for children and now has 50 franchised branches. He chatted to Susan Elkin.

Have you always been interested in drama?

Yes. I was born in Leytonstone and did GCSE and A level drama at King Solomon High School. I was drawn to drama, not necessarily as a performer, but as a way of life which seemed to bring so many useful skills. I understood the benefits. When I was 14, I produced a show. I invested £4000 – which was everything I had in savings including my Bar Mitzvah fund. I worked on it for a year and we made £10,000. I took back my £4,000 and we donated £6,000 to Parry Charitable Foundation. I’ve always regarded that year as my professional training. It was like university. I learned a huge amount.

And when did the teaching start?

Four days before my 16th birthday. They encouraged me at school and I started a class based in the school. Five children came to the first session. After that we doubled the numbers every week and I had to start employing other people to help me. Suddenly Make Believe was born and that was the name from the very beginning. Children have vast imagination and self-belief and “Make believe” sums up what I was trying to do.

What did you do about safeguarding?