Mark Newton 39, lives with his wife and four children in a picturesque village

in the Cotswold’s.

Marks passion for music began at an early age, at the age of six he was encouraged by his farther, a secondary school music teacher, to take up his first instrument- the violin…. But after a lot of squeaking and scratching his parents finally agreed to put a stop to the lessons and buy him his first guitar.

From that day Mark decided to pursue a ‘Rock Star’ career, by the time he was 19 he had mastered various instruments - the piano, double bass, and acoustic guitar, to name a few, and he had also started composing and performing his own material.

To support his musical interests Mark worked in a variety of jobs, in 1997 whilst working as a Performing Arts lecturer at Cheltenham Further Education College, his musical talents were finally recognised, he was approached by a publishing firm and a publishing deal was agreed.

The following three years took Mark around the country performing and recording his music but following a stint in Nashville and the birth of his first child, the desire for a settled family life led him to the other side of the music industry- recording and producing.

In 2004 Mark graduated at the University of Worcestershire with a BSc in Music Technology, he also opened his recording studio ‘New Sound Studios’ in his local area. The studio was regularly booked to record local bands and artists but it was after hosting his daughters birthday party at the studio that his business took on a whole new direction, the concept of Pop Star Parties was born.

Word quickly spread about Mark’s unique parties for children. An opportunity for young wannabe pop stars to invite their friends to a party where they get the full pop star experience, walk the red carpet, drink (non-alcoholic) champagne, wear a VIP pass and record a song of their choice, at the end of the two hour party every party guest receives a copy of the recorded song on a personalised cd. The fantastic experience is filmed in order to produce a pop video of the recorded track and edited highlights of the day.

The parties soon proved to be a chart topping success and by popular demand Mark invented the Pop Pod, a mobile recording unit, which enabled him to take the Pop Star Party to the home. He started taking calls from across Gloucestershire and the neighboring counties and after information about the parties became accessible on the Internet it quickly became clear that the Pop Pod was in demand when he received calls nation wide.

Being a pop star for the day is every girls dream, recording their favorite Idol’s song and getting an X factor experience is every thing they could wish for but pop star parties don’t stop here, there are parties available to suit all interest – Rock star parties, Hen/Stag parties and Corporate parties, the fundamental line is that if you are aged between 8 and 80 (no real upper age limit) then a Pop Pod party could be for you!

To meet the high demand the Pop Pod is being franchised, not only does this mean that the Pop Pod will soon be available nationally but it is also an exciting opportunity for anyone that is wanting to be a part of a successful business. Because full training is available there is not a strict criteria for being a potential franchisee, all that is needed is an interest in music, the ability to work well with children and a personal desire to excel in business. Mark says that hosting Pop Pod parties is an exciting, fun and flexible way to begin a new adventure.

Mark Newton 36, lives with his wife and four children in a picturesque village in the Cotswold’s.

Marks passion for music began at an early age, at the age of six he was encouraged by his farther, a secondary school music teacher, to take up his first instrument- the violin…. But after a lot of squeaking and scratching his parents finally agreed to put a stop to the lessons and buy him his first guitar.

From that day Mark decided to pursue a ‘Rock Star’ career, by the time he was 19 he had mastered various instruments - the piano, double bass, and acoustic guitar, to name a few, and he had also started composing and performing his own material.

To support his musical interests Mark worked in a variety of jobs, in 1997 whilst working as a Performing Arts lecturer at Cheltenham Further Education College, his musical talents were finally recognised, he was approached by a publishing firm and a publishing deal was agreed.

The following three years took Mark around the country performing and recording his music but following a stint in Nashville and the birth of his first child, the desire for a settled family life led him to the other side of the music industry- recording and producing.

In 2004 Mark graduated at the University of Worcestershire with a BSc in Music Technology, he also opened his recording studio ‘New Sound Studios’ in his local area. The studio was regularly booked to record local bands and artists but it was after hosting his daughters birthday party at the studio that his business took on a whole new direction, the concept of Pop Star Parties was born.

Word quickly spread about Mark’s unique parties for children. An opportunity for young wannabe pop stars to invite their friends to a party where they get the full pop star experience, walk the red carpet, drink (non-alcoholic) champagne, wear a VIP pass and record a song of their choice, at the end of the two hour party every party guest receives a copy of the recorded song on a personalised cd. The fantastic experience is filmed in order to produce a pop video of the recorded track and edited highlights of the day.

The parties soon proved to be a chart topping success and by popular demand Mark invented the Pop Pod, a mobile recording unit, which enabled him to take the Pop Star Party to the home. He started taking calls from across Gloucestershire and the neighboring counties and after information about the parties became accessible on the Internet it quickly became clear that the Pop Pod was in demand when he received calls nation wide.

Being a pop star for the day is every girls dream, recording their favorite Idol’s song and getting an X factor experience is every thing they could wish for but pop star parties don’t stop here, there are parties available to suit all interest – Rock star parties, Hen/Stag parties and Corporate parties, the fundamental line is that if you are aged between 8 and 80 (no real upper age limit) then a Pop Pod party could be for you!

To meet the high demand the Pop Pod is being franchised, not only does this mean that the Pop Pod will soon be available nationally but it is also an exciting opportunity for anyone that is wanting to be a part of a successful business. Because full training is available there is not a strict criteria for being a potential franchisee, all that is needed is an interest in music, the ability to work well with children and a personal desire to excel in business. Mark says that hosting Pop Pod parties is an exciting, fun and flexible way to begin a new adventure.