Zoe Harrison, 28, from Essex, turned a career crisis into a thriving six-figure business that now helps over 700 children each week build their confidence. After experiencing what she describes as the 'toxicity' of traditional drama schools, she founded ZLH Studios to offer a healthier approach to performing arts education.
A Toxic Start in Drama Schools
Between the ages of 11 and 21, Zoe trained at several of London's top drama schools. While the experience was valuable, she also witnessed its darker side. 'When you train in London, it’s very competitive. The schools enjoy putting you up against each other,' she said. 'Everyone in the class would have issues such as anxiety or depression. You would see girls throwing up to stay slim or be told you’re too fat to perform at a dance exhibition.' Zoe commuted to London daily for ten years, and although the schools were good, she felt a level of toxicity that she wanted to change.
From Corporate Job to Entrepreneur
After graduating, Zoe fell out of love with the performing arts industry and took a corporate job. However, she still felt unfulfilled and began teaching her own classes on the side. In December 2024, her manager told her that her side business was in breach of her contract and gave her an ultimatum: resign or face a formal investigation. 'I nearly lost everything. I felt pushed into a corner, so I immediately left,' Zoe recalled. 'I had just moved out and had a lot of bills to pay. It was also kind of empowering because I thought it’s now or never.'
Building ZLH Studios
Zoe turned her side classes into a full-time venture, founding ZLH Studios. The company now runs 27 different classes across London and Essex, helping over 700 students each week. The focus is on building confidence through performing arts, rather than on performance pressure. 'We use performing arts as a vehicle, instead of the main focus. It’s more of a confidence-building class,' Zoe explained. 'We have a lot of anxious teenagers who join us, and they don't have many friends, or they are homeschooled; they deal with issues such as anxiety or depression, and we want to bring them into a space where they can be themselves.'
Impact and Growth
Zoe's approach has yielded remarkable results. 'We’ve had parents say their daughter couldn’t order her own food at a restaurant because she was socially anxious. Now, she’s getting on stage and performing,' she said. 'A lot of the children we work with come in shy or anxious, and watching them grow in confidence is honestly the most rewarding part of what I do.' By the end of the year, Zoe aims to reach 1,200 to 1,300 students. 'It’s about growth and reaching as many children as we can - that’s my main mission at the moment.'
Reflecting on her journey, Zoe said, 'I knew at the moment of leaving my job that I had no real plan - it ended up being a blessing in disguise.'
