Michael Granek, MBA is a successful entrepreneur and award-winning event producer with over 20 years of leadership and management experience in arts, events, music, and business administration, and over 10 years in adult education and teaching. Prior to School of Rock, Michael was the President and COO of a global online education company where he applied his diverse background of business management, adult education, and special events to connect professionals with leading industry education, training, and professional development. He was also an Academic Director at a private higher-education institution and the owner of an event production company that produced prestigious award shows, galas, and large-scale corporate events for local and international clients. Michael has served on boards of professional associations, judged event industry awards, and delivered seminars and training at major conferences, colleges, and universities.

Outside of his professional experience, Michael has been volunteering at his children’s school for several years to help produce concerts and plays. Using his background in event production, he brought professional-level staging and production to the school for the first time. He found the experience extremely rewarding as it brought the school community together and sparked student interest in music, arts, and technology that they might not have otherwise explored. That passion inspired him to bring the first School of Rock location to Vancouver.

What inspired you to become a School of Rock owner?
During the pandemic, I was looking for online music lessons for my kids and noticed there was a School of Rock in Calgary but nothing in Vancouver. I wondered why it didn’t exist here and decided to make a career change. I had spent years in the event industry and academia, but I was ready for something new that combined my experience in event production, marketing, music, and education. That’s when I texted my neighbor and friend and said, “Hey, we should quit our jobs and do this.” A few months later, we were in Chicago, and soon after, we signed on and jumped into bringing School of Rock to Vancouver.

There’s no high-pressure environment; it’s all about having fun, getting on stage, and being part of something special.

What do you love most about your job?
What’s been most surprising and rewarding is how many people come up to us saying, “Thank you for opening School of Rock—this has changed my life or my kid’s life.” And it’s not just younger students—adult students say the same thing. It’s become a really positive, inclusive community where everyone supports each other. There’s no high-pressure environment; it’s all about having fun, getting on stage, and being part of something special. Seeing kids perform is the best part, especially at festivals and events. Our junior house band (ages 7-13) and senior house band (ages 13-18) always impress. When the younger kids play, I’ll hear people in the audience say, “Wow, those are kids?” That excitement and pride from both the performers and the audience make this experience truly incredible.

What do you think is the most important skill that a successful franchisee should have?
Having business skills is crucial. The concept of the franchise might be exciting, but success requires understanding the fundamentals of running a business. You don’t need an MBA, but you should take the time to learn the basics—how to read a P&L statement, manage cash flow, and handle marketing. Just as important are interpersonal skills and community involvement. You can’t expect to hide in an office and let the business run itself. No one will be as passionate about your business as you, so you need to be actively engaged. Franchise systems provide a great structure, but they don’t run the business for you—you still must put in the work and understand what you’re doing.

People regularly pull us aside to share how meaningful this has been for them, and that has been incredibly rewarding.

What was something that came up as a franchise owner that you didn’t anticipate?
The biggest surprise has been the number of people who tell us that School of Rock has changed their lives. I expected students to have fun and enjoy the experience, but I wasn’t prepared for the deep impact it would have on both kids and adults. People regularly pull us aside to share how meaningful this has been for them, and that has been incredibly rewarding.

If you had one piece of advice to give to new franchisees, what would it be?
Be prepared to work hard and stay committed. Just because you’re part of a franchise doesn’t mean success comes automatically—it takes time and effort to build relationships, get involved in the community, and grow your business. Owners who are more engaged tend to see better results. Whether it’s a restaurant or a School of Rock, the locations that provide the best customer experience typically have an involved owner who ensures everything is running smoothly. You don’t have to do everything yourself, but you need to inspire your team and stay connected to your business to see long-term success.

You don’t have to do everything yourself, but you need to inspire your team and stay connected to your business to see long-term success.

Is there anything coming up that you are particularly excited about?
[At the time of writing] We have an adult show this week at the Roxy, one of Vancouver’s most famous venues, and Frank Zummo from Sum 41 is coming to visit. It’s been a crazy week, but those are definitely some big highlights!

Who are some of your biggest influences?
I listen to a variety of podcasts depending on my mood. I really enjoy Simon Sinek’s A Bit of Optimism because it brings a positive perspective to business, which is refreshing in contrast to a lot of the heavy, high-pressure business content out there. I also listen to the Harvard Business Review podcast and TED Talks, always looking for inspiration. Rather than listening to the news while I drive, I prefer to start my day feeling motivated and ready to take on new challenges.

Have you found yourself becoming a mentor? If so, what ways has your support improved the development of your mentees?
I wouldn’t say I’ve taken on a formal mentorship role, but I’ve found myself in that position through years of experience in education and business leadership. A big part of my role now is coaching and supporting our staff, whether that’s helping them navigate a decision, teaching them something new, or just being available when they need guidance. I try to stay accessible and approachable, so they feel comfortable reaching out, and I genuinely enjoy those conversations.
That said, I also believe in the value of learning through doing, and sometimes through making mistakes. It’s one of the best ways to grow. I try not to hand people all the answers but instead encourage them to think through things and figure out their own approach with a bit of guidance along the way. Watching them build confidence and develop their own leadership style has been one of the more rewarding parts of running this business.

I also believe in the value of learning through doing, and sometimes through making mistakes. It’s one of the best ways to grow.

Can you recall an experience that made an impact on you?
Rather than one big moment, I’ve had a series of small experiences that shaped who I am. I love trying new things, even if they scare me, and I’m always learning. One particularly impactful moment was before we officially opened our School of Rock location. Al and I put together a mini house band using our own kids and took them out into the community. Watching their progress over just a few months and seeing them perform on stage made me realize the incredible potential of School of Rock—not just musically, but in the confidence and transformation it brings to kids. I remember sitting in the audience thinking, “Wow, these kids are amazing,” and feeling like one of those emotional parents tearing up after a performance.

What is a cause that you are passionate about?
Providing youth with greater access to arts and entertainment opportunities. Giving kids the chance to perform in real venues or on a proper stage is something we never had growing up, and it makes a huge impact. That’s why I volunteer at my kids’ school to produce their concerts, bringing in professional lights and sound equipment to transform their gym into a real performance space. The school doesn’t have the means to do that on its own, so I take a week off work to set it all up. Seeing the excitement on the kids’ faces and the surprise from parents who expect a typical elementary school show but walk into a full production, it’s incredibly rewarding. Experiences like that can inspire kids to explore music and the arts in ways they might not have otherwise.

Providing youth with greater access to arts and entertainment opportunities…Experiences like that can inspire kids to explore music and the arts in ways they might not have otherwise.

What is something surprising that people might not know about you?
I used to be in a kids’ circus and could ride a unicycle! I still can… but these days, it feels like a life-or-death situation every time I try.

Describe an interesting hobby or pastime that you have.
I love working behind the scenes in live productions. Recently, I rented 18 headset microphones and took the opportunity to learn how to use a digital soundboard for the first time. I was an AV technician years ago, so getting back into that world was a lot of fun. It’s a hobby that blends my passion for music, technology, and creating unforgettable experiences.

If you could play with any band in the world, who would you perform with? Would you want to play a specific instrument?
I’d love to play drums on Brick House by the Commodores—it’s such a fun song. Superstition by Stevie Wonder would be a great one, too!