Top 5 Pain Points of Owning a Dance Studio: Work/Life Balance

It’s Tuesday and I’m deep in the whirlwind that is January at my dance studios. I’m creating and setting choreography for our spring recitals, running promotions for new students, taking inventory of classes, planning the schedule for the new season, and onboarding new teachers and staff. To keep myself motivated, I glance at my to-do list and add, “Book flights to Paris” for a well-deserved September getaway.

Through my connections with studio owners in the Twinkle Star Dance community, my Diamond Circle coaching clients, and Dance the Dream parade events, I’ve found that many of us face the same five challenges:

1. Work/Life Balance

2. Financial Instability

3. Hiring and Management

4. Gaining a Competitive Edge in Saturated Markets

5. Keeping Up with Trends

Having owned and operated multiple successful studio locations for decades, I’ve experienced my fair share of ups and downs. Here, I’ll focus on the first challenge: Work/Life Balance and offer some practical solutions.

Work/Life Balance

Ask yourself: Is your studio running you, or are you running your studio? If it feels like the studio is in charge, it’s time to make some changes. Here are my top strategies:

1. Set Boundaries

Make a list of your non-negotiables and stick to it. When my children were young, I committed to picking them up from school every day and reserved Thursday evenings for family dinners. These small but significant boundaries ensured I stayed present for my family while managing a thriving business.

2. Treat It Like a Full-Time Job

Hold regular office hours in a dedicated workspace. Identify your most productive times of day and prioritize the one critical task you need to accomplish daily. Consistency in this approach will help you feel more in control of your schedule.

3. Utilize Systems and Delegate

Today’s technology offers countless tools to streamline small business operations. Invest in platforms that simplify scheduling, payroll, and communication. Hire the right team, establish clear processes, and trust them to handle tasks you don’t need to manage personally.

4. Build a Supportive Community

Connect with like-minded studio owners at live events to share ideas and find encouragement. Having a network of peers who understand your challenges can make all the difference during the busiest seasons.

Join Me for More Insights

If you’re looking for actionable advice and a chance to recharge, I invite you to join me at the Pinnacle Dance Conference and Retreat this summer. It’s happening July 18-20, 2025, at the stunning Omni Royal Orleans in the heart of the French Quarter. This weekend getaway is designed for dance studio owners to reconnect, learn, and grow their businesses.

Check back next week when I’ll share my tips for tackling Financial Instability.

Meet Tiffany Henderson

Tiffany Henderson is a leader in the dance industry and a seasoned business expert. She 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 over 300 dance studios worldwide.

Dance Educators, Gear Up for Success with Pinnacle Dance Conference & Retreat

As we gear up for an exciting new dance season, it’s crucial to reflect on the importance of preparation and professional development. Whether you're a seasoned instructor or just starting out, continuous learning and certification can significantly impact your teaching prowess and the success of your dance studio.

Importance of Dance Teacher Training and Certification

Why is teacher training and certification so vital? Simply put, it ensures that you are equipped with the latest techniques, trends, and educational methodologies in dance instruction. As educators, our role goes beyond just teaching dance steps; we inspire creativity, nurture talent, and shape young minds. Professional training enhances our ability to deliver high-quality education and create meaningful experiences for our students.

Pinnacle Dance Conference & Retreat

I am thrilled to announce an incredible opportunity to elevate your teaching skills: the Pinnacle Dance Conference and Retreat, hosted by Tiffany Henderson. This year, the conference will be held on July 20-21, 2024, at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. Tiffany Henderson, renowned for her expertise and passion in dance education, offers a comprehensive program designed to empower dance educators like you.

The conference welcomes attendees both in person and virtually, making it accessible for educators worldwide to participate and benefit from Tiffany’s invaluable insights.

Key Highlights and Learning Opportunities

At the conference, Tiffany will share her expert tips on adapting a preschool dance curriculum, a crucial aspect of nurturing young dancers effectively. Her strategies include weekly meetings with teachers, conducting classroom observations, and regular check-ins to ensure alignment and support throughout the season.

These proactive measures not only enhance teaching effectiveness but also foster a collaborative and supportive environment within your dance studio. By implementing Tiffany’s recommendations, you can set the stage for a successful and enriching dance season ahead.

Why Attend?

Attending the Pinnacle Dance Conference isn’t just about professional development; it’s about investing in yourself and your students’ futures. The knowledge and skills gained will not only enrich your teaching but also elevate the overall experience for your students, fostering a lifelong love for dance.

Registration Details

Ready to take your dance teaching to the next level? Register now for the Pinnacle Dance Conference & Retreat. Early registration is encouraged to secure your place and take advantage of this transformative learning opportunity.

For more information and to register, visit Twinkle Star Dance.

As we embark on this new dance season, let’s commit to continuous growth, excellence in education, and creating magical moments for our students. Together, we can make this season the best one yet!

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.

Experience the Magic: The Benefits of Attending Pinnacle for Studio Owners and Teachers

In the vibrant world of dance, there's an undeniable allure to the magic that unfolds in class and on stage. For dance studio owners and teachers, attending live events isn't just about enjoying the seminars—it's about tapping into a wellspring of inspiration and knowledge that can elevate their craft to new heights. Let's dive into the myriad benefits of experiencing dance firsthand at Pinnacle Dance Conference and Retreat:

1. Igniting Creativity: There's something special about witnessing the energy, emotion, and sheer artistry of dancers in real-time. Being present allows studio owners and teachers to soak in the creativity and innovation on display, sparking fresh ideas for choreography, music selection, and teaching techniques. It's like adding fuel to the creative fire, inspiring new directions and approaches in their own dance studios.

2. Networking Opportunities: Live events aren't just about what happens there—they're also bustling hubs of networking activity. From mingling with fellow dance professionals to connecting with industry insiders, attending Pinnacle opens doors to valuable relationships and collaborations. Studio owners and teachers can exchange ideas, share experiences, and even forge partnerships that can enrich their businesses and teaching practices.

3. Professional Development: Continuous learning is key to staying at the top of your game in any field, and dance is no exception. Pinnacle features workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions led by seasoned professionals and experts in the industry. By participating in these sessions, studio owners and teachers can expand their skill sets, gain fresh perspectives, and stay on top of the latest trends and techniques in dance education.

4. Motivation and Inspiration: Let's face it—running a dance studio or teaching dance classes can be demanding, and it's easy to hit a creative or motivational plateau. Attending Pinnacle injects a much-needed dose of inspiration and motivation into the equation. Hearing success stories and seeing firsthand the dedication and passion of others can reignite the spark and remind studio owners and teachers why they fell in love with dance in the first place.

5. Building Community: Dance has a unique power to bring people together, and live events serve as epicenters of community and camaraderie. Pinnacle fosters a sense of belonging and unity within the dance community. For studio owners and teachers, this sense of connection can be invaluable in navigating the ups and downs of the dance world.

Attending Pinnacle isn't just a luxury—it's an investment in personal and professional growth. From sparking creativity and fostering connections to staying current and rekindling passion, the benefits are manifold. So, dance studio owners and teachers, don't miss out on the magic—immerse yourselves in the exhilarating world of Pinnacle and watch your love for the art form soar to new heights!

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

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.

5 Struggles of Owning a Dance Studio: Financial Instability

Welcome to March Madness in your dance studio. Where we are simultaneously creating for this season and planning for next season. 

Connecting with studio owners through the Twinkle Star Dance community, my Diamond Circle coaching clients, and Dance the Dream parade events, I find many of us struggle with the same five pain points as dance studio owners: 

1. Work/Life Balance 

2. Financial Instability 

3. Hiring and Management 

4. Gaining Competitive Edge in Saturated Markets

5. Keeping up with Trends 

Last week we chatted about struggling with work/life balance. This week I want to touch on something that often causes us to feel unbalanced which is Financial Instability. 

When your business is not yet profitable; you’re not categorizing your revenue correctly so you don’t know how much you can pay yourself; or you find yourself rebuilding your business after losing a performing company group and/or teacher it leads to feeling like your business is owning you. Trust me, I’ve been there. 

In my early days of studio ownership I decided to expand my one room studio location to three rooms, taking on an additional lease thinking I could sublet my first location. How hard can it be? Then the real estate market crashed and I had to drive home from teaching every night for three years and wave to my $3,000 per month salary. 

It’s safe to say, after decades of owning and operating multiple, successful locations, I have enough failures under my belt to offer some solutions. 

Financial Instability 

It is easy to get caught up in adding extra community events or outside performance opportunities to our calendars. This season I want you to focus on maximizing your two main revenue streams in your business: 

• Class Tuition Revenue 

• Recital Revenue 

Class Tuition Revenue - Focus on making your dance classes the absolute best they can be. Create or implement a proven curriculum that balances structure and fun. 

For example, the Twinkle Star Dance program introduces young dancers to ballet, tap, jazz, and creative movement. They learn the basic steps while following directions and imitating movement in a positive environment. Engaging music is used to get these little guys inspired. The use of props such as Twinkle bears enables the young dancers to use their imagination, creativity and, most of all, have fun!

Recital Revenue - I’m a big proponent of two shows per season - Holiday and Spring. Dancers pay a recital participation fee for each event that includes the performance, costume, tights, action photos, wide angle video, and dancer ribbon or medal. 

Notice I did not say tickets. When it comes to recital tickets, be sure to have tiered pricing, reserved seating, and do not sell out! Depending on the size of your theater consider having smaller, shorter shows so you can sell more of the higher price tickets. We plan for every dancer to sell 5 tickets on average based on previous show data.  

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 combat Hiring and Management. 

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.

DREADING “MARCH MADNESS” IN YOUR DANCE STUDIO?

March seems to be the time of year when everything collides in a dance studio. 

As a studio owner, you are finalizing details for this year’s recitals (costuming, ticketing, show orders, dress rehearsal); you are editing music; you are coming up with new themes, graphics, lesson plans, ordering crafts, scheduling, and marketing for summer camp; you are beginning choreography for your recreational dancers and cleaning choreography for your competitive dancers; you are editing music again; you are putting the schedule together for next season; you are hiring new teachers and administrative staff; you are training new teachers; you are waking up in the middle of the night to add to your to-do list; you are thinking up new promotions to get students to return next season; you are BURNT OUT. 

You are also expected to figure out how to continue to enroll new students and cross your fingers…knock on wood…three calls to the costume companies later *hopefully* get them a costume so they can participate in your spring recital. 

Twinkle Star Dance is the proven dance studio curriculum and teacher training system to help you earn a comfortable living doing what you love, Teaching Dance!

Twinkle Star Dance has transformed hundreds of dance studio owners’ lives. Studios have gone from on the verge of shutting their doors to tripling in enrollment and preschool classes with waitlists. But don’t just take our word for it, listen to Terri Anderson share her success:

“ After attending the Twinkle Star Dance conference in Las Vegas, we put everything we had into the Twinkle Star Dance Program. We left the conference with a refueled passion for teaching dance. Since then we have more than tripled our students, have a continued waiting list for our classes, and upgraded our studio from 400 square feet to 5000 square feet! Thank you Twinkle Star Dance for changing the future of our studio! “

Terri Anderson
Sister Act Dance Academy, Brownsburg, IN

What are you waiting for? Join Terri and 300+ other dance studio owners in the Twinkle Star Dance community today. 

Still on the fence? Take a girls trip and weekend getaway to Pinnacle Dance Conference and Retreat this July 20-21, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain and gain exclusive behind the scenes access to Tiffany Henderson and the Twinkle Star Dance Method.