The truth about running a dance studio

Can you remember what it was like the day you woke up to run the first class at your own dance studio? But let’s go further and think about what made you start your dance studio in the first place…

Was it that you were teaching dance already, loved children and thought “how hard could it be to run a dance studio?” We’ve all been there, including myself. When I started my dance studio I had no idea what was involved with running a business. I should have, though, because at the end of the day that’s what it is: a business that needs to make money to survive.

The funny thing is, at the time I had never come across a dance studio owner that said they started their studio because they saw a gap in the market and a great commercial opportunity. This is a good thing as your decision was probably based on passion.  But, that’s also a detriment because you’ve thrown yourself into a business without any education about running a business.

Time and again I come across studio owners who think that they shouldn’t be making money in their studio. They somehow feel bad that they’re charging for providing a service and making a good living from it. I’m here to tell you that you deserve to be paid for running your dance studio and you have absolutely no reason to feel bad about making money.

I had a tough conversation with one of our new Dance Studio Owner Association members last month. One of the philosophies I stand behind is that studio owners should gradually reduce their teaching hours so they can spend more time working on their business instead of in it. For 5 years she was teaching 30 hours a week and I was walking her through how to make the transition.

But the thing is, she told me she doesn’t like business and just wants to continue teaching.

This is not the first time I’ve heard this and it won’t be the last. This is always my response…

“If you don’t like business and just want to teach then I suggest you either sell or close your dance studio and go teach for another dance studio”.

It was followed by complete silence. Finally I heard “You’re right.  Ok, I’m ready to become the business owner, Clint.” This is when I want to pull out the party poppers and start dancing around the room to Beyonce because this is the major mindset shift that has to happen for dance teachers to become true studio owners.

So…where is your mind at? Are you a studio owner that’s still thinking like a dance teacher or have you filled in the gap? Are you on the journey to becoming a business owner or a long-term teacher with additional responsibilities? If you want to take your studio to the next level, this is the first change you have to make.

Clint

P.S. If you’re looking for support and a step-by-step plan to help you make this move, then I would love to personally welcome you into the Dance Studio Owners Association. Join me and over 230 Dance Studio Owners from across the globe here.

If you want to receive business and marketing strategies in your inbox each week to help GROW your Dance Studio, click here!

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