Dance Studio Scaled: Innovative Marketing|Retention|Biz Growth Strategies for Dance Studio Owners

If team challenges have been a theme for you this year, you’re not alone. Hiring, aligning expectations, managing commitment, communication gaps… these issues have been coming up in so many conversations with studio owners lately. And while we can’t control every decision our teachers make, we can control how we lead them, support them, and set them up for success.In this episode, I break down the key steps to prepare your teaching team for a strong, confident start to 2026. We talk about the practical actions studio owners can take right now that make the biggest difference: clarity, communication, structure, expectations, and leadership.You’ll learn how to:Provide clear roles and expectations for 2026Communicate your vision and priorities for the new yearUpdate your team documents and teaching resourcesRun a simple but powerful teacher briefingShare a development plan that builds confidence and buy-inPrepare teachers for the crucial first week backStreamline communication channelsBuild trust by acknowledging and celebrating your teamThis is a supportive, practical episode designed to help you start the new year with a confident team, clearer communication, and less stress on your shoulders.If you want 2026 to feel easier, smoother, and more aligned, this conversation will give you the foundation to create that.

In this episode of the Dance Studio Scaled Podcast, I’m talking about what scaling actually means for dance studio owners — and why it looks very different from simply growing bigger.This is a grounded conversation about effort, structure, and choice. I unpack the difference between growth and scale, explain the three layers I use to look at every studio, and share why working harder eventually stops working — no matter how capable you are.This episode isn’t about chasing more. It’s about building a studio that works better, feels lighter, and gives you options — whether you want to grow, consolidate, or simply enjoy the business you’ve built.In this episode, I cover:The difference between growth and scale in a dance studioWhy more students doesn’t always equal an easier businessThe three layers every studio operates within — day to day, planning, and foundationsWhy systems and structure create freedom, not restrictionHow to think more clearly about where you invest your time, energy, and moneyWhy there are no shortcuts — and how to choose a path that actually lastsThis episode is for dance studio owners who feel capable but stretched, successful but tired, and ready to run their studio in a more intentional and sustainable way.Follow me on IG [HERE]Apply for the Dance Studio Scaled Mastermind [HERE]

What Every Studio Owner Needs to Remember in the First Weeks BackThe first weeks back at a dance studio can feel intense — for studio owners, teachers, parents, and students.In this episode of the Dance Studio Scaled Podcast, I’m sharing grounded reminders for dance studio owners navigating the start of a new term or school year. This episode is about staying steady, leading calmly, and remembering what matters while everyone is settling back into classes.I talk through the realities of the first few weeks back — parent communication, team alignment, class placement adjustments, decision fatigue, and the emotional load of leadership — and how to approach this season with clarity instead of urgency.In this episode, I cover:Why the first weeks back are a normal settling period in dance studiosHow to respond to parent questions calmly and confidentlyThe role that team alignment plays in reducing workload and stressWhy preparation at home and in business supports better leadershipHow to stay focused on the families and students who are doing the right thingSimple ways to regulate yourself before reactingA perspective shift every dance studio owner needs at the start of the yearThis episode is for dance studio owners who want to lead with intention, reduce unnecessary pressure, and build a sustainable studio business that supports their life.Follow me on IG [HERE]Apply for the Dance Studio Scaled Mastermind [HERE]

As studio owners, we spend so much of the year holding space for others. Our dancers. Our families. Our teams. And somewhere along the way, we often put ourselves last.In this final episode for the year, I’m sharing a reminder for you as you head into the break. This episode isn’t about strategy, planning, or doing more. It’s about acknowledging what you’ve carried, giving yourself permission to rest, and finishing the year with intention rather than exhaustion.This episode is a letter to you. A pause. A moment to breathe before the year ends.In this episode, I talk about:The unseen weight studio owners carry year after yearWhy rest is part of leadership, not something you earn after everything is doneLetting go of guilt as you step away from the studioWhy the way you finish the year matters more than how much you squeeze inA reminder of what you’ve built and sustained, even when it felt hardI also share why I’ll be taking a short break from the podcast over the holidays, and what’s coming in the new year.If you’re ready to reconnect with your leadership, gain clarity, and spend time in the room with studio owners who truly get it, I’d love to invite you to the Business of Dance Conference. One day of practical strategy, honest conversations, and support designed specifically for dance studio owners. You can [GET YOUR TICKET HERE]Thank you for being here this year. I’ll be back in January with fresh, inspiring episodes to support you as you step into the next season of your studio and leadership.

This week’s episode is one I didn’t plan. I had something completely different recorded and ready to go, but during my morning run I felt strongly that this message needed to be shared instead.I’ve been in so many conversations with studio owners who are emotionally drained, stretched thin, and dealing with interactions that have left them questioning their capacity and even their future in this industry. Hearing their stories – and feeling the weight they’re carrying – is what prompted me to record today’s episode.This isn’t an attack on parents. It’s simply an invitation to look behind the scenes and understand the emotional load that studio owners hold every day.In this episode, I share: • What I’ve been hearing from studio owners at the end of this year • Why this season has felt heavier than usual • How well-intentioned parents can sometimes miss the bigger picture • The unseen work, thought, and care behind every decision we make • A personal letter I’ve written for dance parents – one many studio owners wish they could shareI also close with a gentle reminder about stepping back, taking time away, and grounding yourself before we head into the new year. You’re doing important work, but you can’t carry it all without space to breathe.If this episode resonates, please share it with another studio owner who might need to feel seen and supported today.

You’ve seen the Type A vs Type B mum trend online… but what does it look like in studio leadership? In this episode, I unpack the real traits behind each style, how they influence your decision-making, and what you need to grow sustainably....................Get your tickets for the Business of Dance Conference [HERE]

Today, I’m walking you through exactly what needs to be done before Christmas so you can shut off your studio and yourbrain… and actually enjoy your break, your family, and the breathing space you’ve earned.This is practical. It’s doable. And honestly, it’s the difference between starting 2026 exhausted or starting it clear and incontrol.Let’s get into it.

This week, I want to take you behind the scenes of something that has become one of the most powerful rituals in my business — my solo Reset & Realign Retreat.No family, no work calls, no interruptions...and it changed everything. It gave me clarity, perspective, and energy again.Now, it’s non-negotiable.

In this episode, I’m joined by Zoe Trilsbach and Kristy Wright - the powerhouse duo behind Act It Out, a progressive, curriculum-based drama program that’s reshaping the way performing arts is taught across Australia.We dive into how their experience in the industry inspired them to create a program that bridges the gap between studio training and real-world performance careers. Zoe and Kristy share how Act It Out goes beyond fun weekly classes to develop measurable skills in confidence, communication, creativity, and consent.Whether you’re a dance studio owner looking to expand your offering or simply curious about where performing arts education is heading, this conversation will give you fresh insight into how structure and creativity can work hand in hand to prepare the next generation of performers.

After an incredible weekend at the Business of Dance Conference in Perth, I walked away with a notebook full of insights and today, I’m sharing the six biggest lessons I learned (and how you can apply them to your studio before 2026).In this episode, I unpack what it really means to be in a room full of growth-minded studio owners and why proximity, leadership, simplicity, and presence are the real game-changers for your business.We’ll talk about:Why the right environment shifts your standardsHow to lead with calm, confident energyThe importance of simplifying your strategy before the new yearTurning ideas into action (without waiting for the perfect moment)Why culture and connection matter more than any marketing planWhether you were at the conference or watching from afar, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and finish the year with clarity and direction.Listen now to gain perspective, reignite your leadership, and take a few actionable lessons into 2026.

Timetabling is one of those jobs that hangs over you.You’ll get it done...but it usually costs a few late nights, too many spreadsheets, and a lot of second-guessing.But here’s what I believe now:Your timetable is one of the most powerful tools in your studio.Not because of what goes where, but because of what it unlocks.In this replay, I walk you through the 7 steps to designing an intentional timetable that can unlock the next level of growth for your studio.Tickets for the Business Conference are still available:[Click Here] to get one

Marketing for dance studios is changing faster than most owners realise. In this episode, I’m joined by industry leader Sally Prendergast to unpack the hidden shift that will decide who stands out in 2026. We dive into AI, search optimisation, and content strategies that go far beyond social media, giving you the tools to get ahead while others are still playing catch-up.......Get your tickets

When it comes to growing your studio, I think every one of us has had those late-night thoughts: “Is there a faster way? Am Imissing something? Surely it shouldn’t feel this hard all the time?”And I want to tell you this—yes, there is a shortcut. But it’s probably not what you think..........[BOOK IN A CALL FOR THE MASTERMIND HERE]Want tickets and more information about The Buisness of Dance Conference [CLICK HERE]

Most of us are living at the intersection of creativity and business.And sometimes… that intersection feels more like a head-on collision than a smooth merge lane.Some of us love the creative side — the choreography, the class planning, the student moments. But the business side?The numbers, the systems, the growth strategy? It feels like a foreign language.Others are the opposite — they thrive in planning, love a good spreadsheet, and secretly enjoy a to-do list... but find it hard to carve out space for creative flow.But here’s the really exciting thing I want you to hear:If you set your studio up right — with the right structure, systems, and support — you get to spend MORE time doing theparts you love, and LESS time getting stuck in the bits you don’t.......................Want to chat about joining the mastermind? [CLICK HERE]

It’s not about having the biggest studio. It’s not about being the loudest or the most popular. It’s not about becoming the most followed account on Instagram.Scaling your studio is about building something that works.It’s about creating a business that is profitable, spacious, and supportive of your life. One that gives you control, predictability, and breathing room...not burnout.........[Apply for the Mastermind Here]

I want you to imagine we’re on a coaching call together. You’re sitting down with your favourite drink, your 2025 timetable open in front of you, pen in hand, and that little voice in your head saying: "Where on earth do I start?"Well, I’m going to tell you exactly what I’d say if we were working through this side by side.....................[CLICK HERE to join me for the 2026 Timetable Power Hour]

When it comes to planning for a new year, there are so many directions you could take. You might start with your big goals, your marketing plan, your finances, or even your team structure. All of those are important. But after decades of running a studio and now working closely with owners every day, I’ve realised there’s one place that makes everything else easier.The timetable.Your timetable is more than just a schedule of classes. It’s the foundation on which enrolments, retention, staffing, and growth are built. And if you want to feel confident about where your studio is heading in 2026, the smartest place to begin is right here.So, in today’s episode, we’re talking about why the timetable should be the starting point of your studio planning, what smart owners are already doing now, and how you can use it as a strategic tool for growth...not just a piece of admin................Register for the 2026 Timetable Power Hour [CLICK HERE]

Someone asked me this question the other day:“If you had to start all over again from scratch, what would you do first?”But before I give you that, I want to explain why my answer is different now than it was five or ten years ago.Because being a customer...being a parent...in 2025 is different.Now, you can roll your eyes and wish it were different, or… you can accept that it is what it is. Then, decide how to meet it head-on in a way that still aligns with your studio values.Want the Retention Kit Done-for-you Scripts?[CLICK HERE]

In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the three mistakes I made when I was trying to strengthen enrolments and how shifting the focus to retention completely changed the game for our studio.Let’s dive in......[CLICK HERE for your FREE copy of the Retention Scripts]

The studios that retain 85–90% of their students?It’s not luck...it’s strategy, scripts, and systems.In this episode, I’m sharing the exact scripts I used inside my own studio to consistently retain 90%+ of our students year after year...especially during key growth and scaling seasons.You’ll learn:Why retention starts long before enrolments openHow to make your conversations feel confident (not canned)The 4 principles I use to create high-retention touchpoints across your team🎁 Want the free Done-For-You Retention Kit?[Click here to grab your copy], or DM me the word “Script” on Instagram and I’ll send it straight to you.