Four Ways to Use Problems as Access to Studio Growth
Suzanne Blake Gerety with Amanda Scott
DanceStudioOwner.com
Running a dance studio is personal. It is nearly impossible to keep the emotion out of our business. There’s a level of care and concern we are expected to give our clients. And on top of that we develop relationships with families that can span 15 years or more if a dancer started with us when two or three all the way through graduation.
So when there is a problem at the studio - with a dancer, parent or staff member - we feel it. The good news is that problems are your access to growth. As a business owner, there will always be a fire to put out - student retention, staff turnover, a new studio opens down the street, etc. Once we accept that we will encounter problems we can develop the courage to claim our voice, vision, and mission as a studio owner.
Since it is not a matter of if you will face problems, but when I want to talk about how to put your business hat on and tackle the problems with a growth mindset. The better you are at solving problems, the better your business. I think there are four things that can help us prepare:
Continuing education
Community
Making time to work on your business
Reigniting your passion
Continuing Education
Running a dance studio is a complicated business, it requires a delicate balance of art and business. It’s more important than ever to use new and innovative marketing and business strategies to gain an advantage to stay ahead of the competition. What may have worked one, two or three years ago isn’t always working anymore. This is why embracing the “life-long learner” approach to how you run your studio will give you an edge today. The best investment you can make in your business is you!
Community
The quickest route to success as a dance studio owner isn’t traveled alone. As an industry we all want more students to try, enjoy, and love dancing, but it’s unlikely the studio owner across town is sharing how they find and retain their students. Often the best access to growth is “getting out of your own backyard” by connecting with other studio owners across various geographical locations -- who are in it with you -- and willing to share what works. There are plenty of marketing people who are giving dance studio advice so be aware! Surround yourself with all stages of business experience and you’ll be amazed at how rich the creativity and ideas begin to help you grow.
Make Time to Work on Your Business
There are two important things to consider when it comes to time. First, time is your most valuable asset. You control it and you can’t get more of it. So treat it like the most precious part of your day. Second, put some accountability loops into your time. This will kick you into high gear. For example, in the studio, give yourself a short-burst of time to work on a focused task. I work two hours a day on revenue generating activities. Meaning, for two straight hours it has to be focused efforts on marketing and reaching new students. Put your phone on airplane mode, minimize distractions and get it done! Out of the studio, I like to take 2-3 days to get away and hone in on bigger projects like selecting costumes, learning the newest trends and best ways to spend my marketing dollars, and refilling my cup with other new business ideas.
Reignite Your Passion
Burnout is real, it’s important to stay inspired and not overwhelmed. There will always be more on your to-do list. In our 24/7/365 communication driven life, now more than ever there is a need to create boundaries, systems and structures so you can keep loving what you do. Studio owners have asked us to do more in-person training to bridge the gap from online to in real life. Thrive! Studio Conference is a two-day retreat-style event, personal support and learning. It combines all the things that we see and know work into an accelerated event plus you get to cross costume selection off your list and connecting with one-another.
Ready to tackle your studio problems and turn them into growth opportunities? Join Suzanne and Tiffany at Thrive! Studio Conference. From the creators of Energize and Twinkle Star Live— Join us for an invigorating two-day retreat in Dallas, Texas. Thrive was designed with the busy studio owner in mind. We’ve planned fresh new seminars that will empower you and your staff to take your studio to the next level.
Get Tickets and learn more: https://www.thrivestudioconference.com
Suzanne Blake Gerety is the director of DanceStudioOwner.com, the leading resource to help you build a successful business and keep the passion for dance alive. She is the second-generation owner of her family’s studio in N.H., where she and her mom continue their mission to reach dancers of all ages and experience. Suzanne was born into the dance studio life and brings the perspective of owner, educator, mom, and businesswoman.
Suzanne is a long-time featured columnist for Dance Teacher Magazine’s, “Ask the Experts” and regularly teaches business seminars at industry events. She is known for helping studio owners through important transitions: start up, growth points, faculty and employee relations, rebranding, financial hardships, and buying and selling businesses. Her authentic and real-life approach to solve complex problems is what fellow colleagues say makes her guidance so valuable.