dance consulting

5 Struggles of Owning a Dance Studio: Gaining Competitive Edge in a Saturated Market

I’ve owned my dance studio for nearly 25 years. Business in our town and surrounding community is competitive; parents have lots of options for dance programs and children’s activities. 

I’ve discovered the key to longevity is to focus on your area of expertise and your main sources of revenue. 

My area of expertise is dance. I developed a preschool dance curriculum that balances structure and fun. I train all of my staff so I know exactly what is being taught in every class from ages 2-6. 

We don’t offer acro dance or gymnastics because that’s not my specialty. Do one thing and do it well. 

My two main sources of revenue are dance tuition and recitals. I spend the majority of my time and resources making sure my classes and shows are the best they can be. 

Each year, I take inventory and make sure there are classes for the foundation of my school offered each day at various times - Twinkle Babies 2-3, Twinkle Stars 3-4, and Twinkle Stars 4-5/5-6.  

Twenty years ago, I split my preschoolers out into smaller, shorter recitals and haven’t looked back. Parents appreciate they can be in and out in less than 45 minutes. 

As we prepare for new season registration, place your attention and energy on what you do best. You can always grow or rebuild your business and it starts with a great preschool dance program.  

Want more insights and practical advice? Join me for a dance studio owner weekend getaway to Pinnacle Dance Conference and Retreat this July 20-21, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain.

Check back next week for my tips and tricks to Keeping up with Trends.

Meet Tiffany Henderson 

Tiffany Henderson is an industry leader and dance business expert. Tiffany owns and operates multiple Tiffany's Dance Academy locations in Northern California. Her video-based teacher training system and curriculum, Twinkle Star Dance, is currently implemented in 300+ dance studios worldwide.