Retention isn't always just focused on the student currently enrolled in classes. It's also focusing on bringing that student's siblings and other relatives into the studio. It's also focusing on how retention trickles down through generations and helps establish a true community feeling within the studio.

In this episode, we're going to hear one of our Inner Circle member's approach to year-round retention strategies and how to embed these strategies into daily practice!

In addition to your systems and processes, you need connection. When people feel connected, they will continue showing up to your classes!

It's not always about how many students you have, it's about how many classes they're taking. It's also not about reaching a certain number of students, it's understanding your profit margins to keep your business sustainable.

In case you missed the DSOA's free training this week, here's the ONLY way to listen to the replay! Get ready for all the tips and tricks on scheduling, retention, and re-enrollment! 

How to effectively navigate partnerships with local community organizations, schools, and businesses while keeping your studio's mission and brand at the forefront!

In today's episode, Alisa will be talking with IC member Tanya Neary about creating a marketable brand. They are sharing so many tips & tricks on how you can get your studio recognized from anywhere in the world. 

Your brand is not just what you say YES to, it's also what you say NO to. In this episode, Alisa is going to break down what she says NO to in order to stay on brand.

We are going to break down what branding actually means. It's more than just your logo and tagline. When you have a brand, you need to have a promise. 

Inner Circle Captains Shawna Kwan & Kim Field surveyed our Inner Circle members and gathered the top 5 money mistakes that dance studio owners AND how to never make those mistakes again!

Amelia Fazio & Julia Hilliard from Revolution are here to empower dance studio owners as retailers!

In this episode, we are going to break down actionable steps on how to address your current financial state and how to improve and ensure profitability! 

Are you ready for financial freedom? Do you have a plan for gaining your financial freedom? This episode will bring some hard truths but some exciting motivation on how to get started on your journey to profitability!

There is an art to finessing your current students all year long so that they are clammering to register for the classes they really want and then up their frequency at your studio!

This episode is Day 5 of the DSOA's most recent free training - Double Your income Challenge. This episode has two different segments filled with gold on how to become the best CEO you can be and lead your team to ultimate success!

New Students' is one of our favorite phrases! But how do you get new students in your doors throughout the entire year?

In this episode, we're going share how you can boost your revenue throughout the year so that it supplements your programs that are already delivering!

Listen along as Hillary Parnell asks Studio Owner and IC Captain Shawna Kwan some hard questions around revenue!

Welcome to 2024! We are going to jump right in to the top 3 New Year's resolutions that you need!

In this episode, we will talk about the do's and don'ts of marketing your recitals so that you have peace of mind and a sold out show!

In this episode, we're going to breakdown (1) Tiered ticketing and smart pricing (2) Add-on Sales: program ads, sponsorships and swag sales (3) Making sure all expenses are covered for rehearsals so those don't undercut the profit.

Costume protocol is a huge part of owning a dance studio. We are going to discuss how you can make costumes profitable for your studio, but also how to keep them affordable for your students and their families. We are going to go over several different options so you can consider what would work best for you and your studio!

You don’t need to make all the changes now; in this episode, learn how to work on ONE thing that is draining your capacity.

Learn how to deal with conflict at every stage in your career.

Join us with IC Captain Meghan Retseck as we talk about best practices for using your core values to inform all your decisions!

Creating core values will help you show you your path. Staying connected to your values will keep you on that path!

This episode celebrates one of our IC members, Sophie Connolly, and her growth and success!

In this episode, we're going to discuss good habits that are propelling your forward and some not-so-good habits that might be holding you back!

Recapping our best Q&A moments from this past Student Attraction Accelerator live training event!

We're going to discover what you can be doing right now to increase your leads from social media. 

Let's talk about how hiring the right people and tracking progress and growth are both going to help you expand your empire. 

We are going to discuss what a DOFI is, when you need to hire one, and who is an excellent candidate! 

Today we are diving into why you need to consistently address and implement new systems. Based on your experiences as a dance studio owner, and as our society and world changes, your studio should reflect that growth, too!

We're talking about how to introduce a fresh and new approach to your studio! Hear how can you revamp your studio systems, culture, and dynamic for the better!

Inside the DSOA, we talk about a lot of high level tools and systems to improve your business. But that's all assuming the business is in a good place! Walk through a quick audit with this podcast episode to check your business's well-being!

Maybe you've overlooked this important detail but today we are going to dive in - onboarding for new students! Let's talk about how you can make these systems consistent and systemized so each new student feels welcomed!

Communication is key to being an effective leader. Start your new hires off right by learning to communicate clearly and save yourself time later.

Let's break down why writing effective job descriptions is considered marketing. 

Today we are going to dive into hiring. It's a difficult topic but it's definitely the buzz this time of year as you transition through summer to your next dance season. We're going to give clear, initial steps to take when making your first, 5th, or 20th hire at your studio. 

Join Olivia Mode Cater and Lisa DeMaio in a candid and insightful conversation as they dive into the dance industry and share their personal experiences. As both relative newcomers to the DSOA Dream Team, they discuss their roles, the transformative power of the inner circle, and the importance of building a supportive community. Gain valuable insights and learn how to overcome challenges, nurture your team, and maintain your passion for dance.

In this episode of the DSO Aces series, powered by the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, host Olivia Mode Cater sits down with Stacey Hughes, a leading expert in digital marketing and the Meta Expert of Dance Studio Owners Association's Inner Circle. Stacey shares her invaluable insights on harnessing the potential of Facebook and Instagram ads to attract ideal clients, increase enrollment, and achieve financial success in the dance studio industry. Whether you're a beginner or looking to optimize your existing ad campaigns, this episode will equip you with practical strategies for leveraging social media advertising to propel your dance studio forward.

In this bonus episode, hear from DSOA Inner Circle members Patti Johnston & Heather Buelow and their journeys as dance studio owners. These are two incredible dance studio owners who have such impactful words of wisdom no matter where you are on your own personal journey as a dance studio owner!

In this bonus episode, we talk about how to get new families into your studio and how to keep them for a long time! Long-time customers turn into long-time cheerleaders of your business! This is the retention episode!

In this episode, you'll go through the 8 phases of how to get more of your personal time back and get clarity on what it takes to run a successful dance studio.

The who, the why, and the passion should all be shared in your social media marketing campaigns. In this episode, learn how to relate to your audience. Instead of just saying, "Try our preschool dance class..." try connecting with the audience more on WHY they need your dance classes.

In this episode, Olivia and David discuss common money challenges faced by dance studio owners and provide practical solutions for financial success. They explore key financial metrics, technology tools for streamlined financial management, handling seasonal ups and downs, setting competitive prices, tax-saving tips, expansion indicators, and financial predictions for the dance studio industry.

In this episode of the DSO Aces series here on the Transform My Dance Studio podcast, Annie Leese Thistle shares her invaluable expertise on hiring and firing practices in dance studios. Drawing from her own journey as a successful studio owner and her experience supporting Inner Circle members, Annie provides practical tips for attracting high-quality candidates, leveraging online job platforms, accurately reflecting the studio's culture and values, handling difficult conversations with professionalism and respect, evaluating performance, and onboarding and providing constructive feedback to teachers and staff. Tune in to stay ahead of the game with Annie's predictions for the upcoming dance studio season and empower your studio with a stellar team.

In today's episode of DSO Aces here on the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, host Olivia Mode Cater is joined by Cara Poppitt, a renowned dancer, entrepreneur, and Inner Circle Studio Growth Coach. Cara's vast experience as a studio owner and her passion for empowering women and girls shine through as she discusses strategies to increase daytime revenue in dance studios. From exploring unique offerings to fill empty studio time to designing and marketing daytime dance sessions, Cara provides valuable insights and practical tips for studio owners looking to boost their income during daytime hours. Discover how to overcome challenges, build a great team, leverage partnerships, and stay ahead of the game in the dynamic dance studio industry.

Join host Olivia Mode Cater in an engaging conversation with Shannon Westveer, Inner Circle Studio Growth Coach, as they explore the world of remote studio ownership and progression planning. Shannon shares her inspiring journey from studio member to coach, offering valuable insights and personal anecdotes on running a dance studio remotely, overcoming challenges, maintaining high standards, fostering connections with staff and students, executing a progression plan for selling her business, and offering advice to studio owners looking to transition into new roles within the industry. Stay ahead of the game with Shannon's predictions for the upcoming dance studio season and gain the skills and strategies needed to succeed in the ever-evolving landscape.

In this episode of the DSO Aces series, Olivia Mode Cater is joined by studio owner and Inner Circle Coach, Hillary Parnell, as they delve into the art of scheduling for success in your dance studio. Hillary shares her personal journey, valuable insights, and practical tips on avoiding common scheduling mistakes, prioritizing schedule creation, attracting more students through strategic timing, managing class fill-ups and waitlists, leveraging technology for streamlined scheduling, and staying ahead of the game in the ever-evolving dance studio landscape.
Join host Olivia Mode Cater and Hillary Parnell in this conversation filled with practical tips, real-life examples, and expert guidance on scheduling for success in your dance studio.

Join host Olivia Mode-Cater in this exciting episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast as she welcomes the extraordinary Jodi Shilling, renowned dance studio owner and Studio Growth Coach. Prepare to be inspired as Jodi shares her invaluable insights on how to achieve stress-free recital profits.

Discover the biggest challenges faced in maximizing recital profits and learn effective strategies to overcome them. Jodi also shares common mistakes in pricing recital tickets and how to avoid them, unlocking the potential for increased ticket sales. You'll also discover additional services and products that can enhance recital profits and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Stay ahead of the game and listen closely as Jodi predicts upcoming trends in the dance studio industry. Discover what's in store for the upcoming season and gain the knowledge to outshine the competition.

In this episode of DSOAces, guest host Olivia Mode-Cater sit down with Inner Circle expert Julie Kay Stallcup, a renowned dance educator and co-founder of Revolution Dance Center. Julie shares her inspiring journey of creating a studio that emphasizes high-quality training and mentorship for dancers. With her expertise and experience, she provides valuable insights on building a strong faculty, fostering inclusivity, and preparing students for success. Join us as we delve into the world of dance education and discover the strategies to stay ahead of the game in the upcoming season.

We continue our captivating conversation with Alicia Graf Mack, a distinguished figure in the dance world and the Dean and Director of the Dance Division at the Juilliard School.

In this episode, Alicia discusses the changing landscape of professional dance in the 21st century and how studio owners can stay relevant and innovative in their approach to training dancers. We also explores Alicia's thoughts on the future of the dance industry, the challenges dancers and studio owners may face, and the essential qualities needed for success in the field.

Plus, Alicia shares highlights from her own podcast, 'Moving Moments'! Get ready for another episode filled with practical advice, visionary insights, and motivation to transform your dance studio!

Join us for part one of the momentous 500th episode of the Transform My Dance Studio podcast, where we are honored to have Alicia Graf Mack, a renowned figure in the dance world and the Dean and Director of the Dance Division at the Juilliard School, as our special guest.

In this captivating interview, Olivia Mode-Cater and Lisa DeMaio delve into Alicia's experiences as a dancer with acclaimed companies and how those experiences have shaped her approach to teaching and mentoring young dancers.

Discover the profound wisdom and invaluable lessons that Alicia imparts, drawing from her own extraordinary journey.

Join us on the "Transform My Dance Studio" podcast for an exclusive sneak peek into our Inner Circle Retreat, featuring the brilliant Kate Toon. In this captivating episode, we delve into the world of copywriting and uncover the secrets to leveraging persuasive language to drive studio success.

With her expertise as a renowned copywriter, Kate Toon guides us through the essential elements of conversion copy and how it can revolutionize your dance studio's results. Explore the true meaning of a sales page, discover the optimal length for sales copy, and gain invaluable insights into positioning your studio effectively.

Understanding your audience is paramount, and Kate shares proven techniques for connecting deeply with your target market through strategic copy. From sales copy formulas to crafting killer headlines, she unveils a treasure trove of practical tips and strategies that will transform the way you communicate with your audience.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn how to captivate your readers, compel them to take action, and drive conversions like never before. Join us on "Transform My Dance Studio" as we unlock the power of copywriting secrets that will propel your studio to new heights of success.

Join us on the ""Transform My Dance Studio"" podcast as we dive into the exciting world of TikTok with our special guest, Keenya Kelly. In this episode, we provide an exclusive sneak peek into our Inner Circle Retreat, where we uncover the secrets of using TikTok to transform your dance studio's success.

Discover how this seemingly dance-centric platform can be leveraged to generate leads and boost sales for your business. While TikTok may initially be associated with dancing, it holds tremendous untapped potential as a powerful tool to organically reach and engage your ideal clients, absolutely free.

In this engaging discussion, we explore various strategies, practical tips, and proven techniques to help you navigate TikTok's algorithm, create compelling content, and effectively target your audience. Keenya Kelly, a renowned expert in social media marketing, unveils her insider knowledge and sheds light on the immense opportunities that await dance studio owners on TikTok.

In this episode, host Cara Poppitt shares her thoughts on the crucial role that empowered leadership plays in the success of a dance studio.

As a dance studio owner herself, Cara knows firsthand the importance of having strong leaders within her team. In this episode, she explores what it means to be an empowered leader and how these leaders can inspire and drive their team to success.

Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, Cara encourages dance studio owners to examine their own leadership styles and empower their team to take ownership of their roles within the studio. She shares her tips for creating a culture of empowerment, including setting clear expectations and providing opportunities for growth and development.

If you're a dance studio owner looking to take your leadership skills to the next level and create a culture of empowerment within your studio, then this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to discover how empowered leaders can inspire greatness and drive your studio to success.

In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, guest host Cara Poppitt shares her passion for getting unstuck and helps you as a dance studio owner and business leader reflect on where you might be feeling stuck in your own life. She introduces four main reasons we typically get stuck in leadership and in life, and challenges you to think about what you're waiting for and what might be holding you back from taking action, while encouraging you to tap into your courage to move forward towards your goals. Tune in for key takeaways on how to get out of the wings and step onto the stage of your life, including:

- You don't always need to feel ready before you take a risk or try something new.
- Courage moves you forward enough to take action and take the next step, even if you don't feel confident.
- Fear of the unknown and fear of change can hold you back, but it's normal to feel scared.
- Insecurities can make you feel stuck, but you can overcome them by tapping into your courage and taking action towards your goals.

Join host Cara Poppitt as she explores the importance of effective communication and connection in the dance studio industry.

In this episode, Cara will share her insights and expertise on how dance studio owners can build strong relationships with their students, parents, and staff through clear communication and genuine connection.

Cara will discuss the challenges that dance studio owners face when it comes to communication and connection, and provide practical strategies and tips for overcoming them. You will learn about the importance of active listening, clear and concise messaging, and creating a culture of trust and respect in your dance studio.

Whether you are a dance studio owner looking to improve your communication skills, or seeking to build stronger relationships with your students, parents, and staff, this episode will provide valuable insights and inspiration for your journey. Tune in and discover the power of communication and connection in building a thriving dance studio.

Join host Cara Poppitt as she shares her insights and expertise on how dance studio owners can transition from management roles to become visionary leaders and CEOs of their businesses. In this episode, Cara will discuss the key differences between managing and leading, and why making the shift from one to the other is crucial for the long-term success of your dance studio.

Cara will share her personal journey of transformation from a manager to a CEO, the challenges she faced along the way, and the strategies she used to develop her leadership skills. You will hear about the importance of developing a clear vision for your dance studio, setting strategic goals, and building a strong team to help you achieve them.

Whether you are a dance studio owner looking to take your business to the next level or a manager seeking to become a more effective leader, this episode will provide valuable insights and inspiration for your journey. Tune in and learn how to make the transition from management to leadership and become the CEO your dance studio needs to thrive.

Join host Cara Poppitt in this episode of "Leading the Dance," as she dives into the essential role of leadership in the success of dance studios. With a wealth of experience in dance education and studio ownership, Cara brings valuable insights and practical strategies to help dance studio owners unlock the power of leadership. From defining the characteristics of effective leadership to exploring ways to cultivate leadership skills, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their dance studio to new heights. So, put on your dancing shoes and tune in to "Choreographing Your Success: How Leadership Can Help Your Dance Studio Thrive."

Welcome to our unmissable new series "Leading the Dance: Empowered Leadership in Dance Studios"

Throughout this series, Cara will explore the essential elements of leadership, and guide listeners on how to develop the skills and mindset needed to become an effective leader in your dance studio.

Whether you're leading a team at work or simply looking to improve your personal leadership skills, join Cara as she takes you on a journey through the world of leadership, and discover what it takes to connect and collaborate to lead.

Guest host Cara Poppitt is not only one of the DSOA's industry leading coaches inside the dance studio owners Inner Circle, she is also the Founder and Artistic Director of Soul Connexion in Calgary, and the founder and CEO of the Studio Fine Arts Club.

Get ready to be inspired!

Meet Cara Poppitt, studio growth coach for Dance Studio Owners Association's Inner Circle Program. With her extensive experience in owning and managing two award-winning companies, Cara is passionate about helping dance studio owners take action and achieve real results.

In this session, Cara will unlock the secrets to leadership and confidence, empowering you to step up into the role of CEO of your dance studio. From the differences between management and leadership to how to develop a confident mindset, this episode covers everything you need to know to become the best leader you can be.

Here are some of the topics Cara covers this week:

• What is the difference between management and leadership in your dance studio?
• How to shift your mindset to become a confident leader
• The importance of connecting with your values and your team
• Why studio owners fail to take action and how to get unstuck
• How to identify your strengths and how to enhance them

She also shares actionable tips to help you get started and take action today!

Don't miss this valuable episode and start becoming the leader your studio deserves.

As a dance studio owner, you know that your brand is essential to your success.

But how do you make your brand stand out in a crowded market?

Join us for an exclusive interview with branding guru Bruce Turkel.

With years of experience working with top companies like Nike and Discovery Channel, Bruce knows the secrets to creating a powerful brand that resonates with customers.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1/ How to uncover the motivations of today's consumer
2/ The difference between features and benefits
3/ How to leverage content and context to multiply your sales

Plus, discover why the traditional "Speeds & Feeds" sales strategy doesn't work anymore and how to develop a new approach that sets your studio apart!

In this episode, Susie shares what she learned about owning your truth, launching a business, the power of loss, and the freedom that questioning fear brings.

"Charles Darwin said, it's not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It's the one that's most adaptable to change."

Rick Goodman is a leadership engagement and business growth expert. He is passionate about helping leaders become successful and efficient in their businesses.

In this exclusive Inner Circle retreat sneak-peek, Rick Goodman shares his top 3 keys to success as a leader, inlculuding:

1. The Power of Adaptability and the Solutions-Oriented Leader
2. Ubuntu: We're Only As Strong As Each Member Of The Team
3. Three Keys To Selling To Dance-Moms

✨ Register today for our FREE 3-Day Dance Studio Owners Summit at dsoa.com/summit

Have you started planning for Summer Camps in your studio yet? In the Dance Studio Owners Inner Circle, our members have been prepping, planning, scheduling and of course, shopping in preparation for their most profitable Summer Camps yet.

To help you get in the best position to sell out your camps the stress-free way, we're delighted to share this week's special episode where Clint Salter and Olivia Mode Cater join Lisa DeMaio to share our Top 10 Tips for Summer Success in 2023.

Not only are we sharing the hottest tips from leading studios all over the world, but we have also created a completely free Sold Out Summer Camp system that you can download today, and implement in your studio for the ultimate Summer Success. Head to dsoa.com/summercamp to download your free copy.

Joey Gonzalez is the Global CEO of Barry’s, the original cardio and strength interval workout that revolutionized fitness and began the boutique movement.

His Barry’s journey started in 2003, and he became CEO in 2015. Since then, Gonzalez has dedicated his life to expanding the brand across the country and around the world, fostering diverse communities across 4 continents. In this Q&A special, Joey shares a behind-the-scenes insight into the growth of Barry’s which now welcomes 150,000 people globally through its doors each week.

In this episode, Heather and Patti discuss how dance studio owners can stand out in their community and use their brand to get people through their doors.

They also share their favorite strategies for becoming known in the community, and how to make a positive impact on the community by participating in wellness challenges, hosting drop-off parties for parents, and donating their studio space.

In this episode, Heather and Patti share:
1. How to become the go-to studio in your community by elevating your brand
2. Creative ways to use your studio to benefit your community and attract new customers.
3. Strategies for increasing brand awareness and establishing yourself as a leader in the industry.

In this week's episode of CEO Coffee Chat, business besties Heather and Patti discuss the importance of self-love. Our caffeine-fuelled duo dive deep into the need for studio owners to focus on themselves and prioritize their own needs in order to be successful by sharing their own experiences with taking time for rest and reflection, leaning on others for help, and setting realistic goals for both their business and personal lives.

You'll also discover the importance of recognizing that YOU are more than your business, and that taking time to focus on other relationships and your own personal goals is key.

In this episode, you will unpack:

1. Strategies for finding the balance between nurturing your business and nurturing your relationships
2. Heather and Patti's secrets to a successful life for their entrepreneurial spirits
3. How you can structure your studio goals and plans to minimize stress

Learn the secrets to retaining your admin staff and minimizing turnover with guest hosts, Heather and Patti!

In this episode, you will discover:
1. What do you need to know to successfully hire and retain an admin support staff in a dance studio?
2. How can creative studio owners be better organized to support their admin staff?
3. What strategies can be employed to make the admin staff role less stressful and more enjoyable?

"Never stop learning, right?""

Learn how to unlock the potential of your teaching career and discover the secrets of leading teachers to success!

In this episode, guest hosts Heather and Patti share the importance of recognizing different age groups and approaches when it comes to leading teachers to success, including:

1. How to effectively lead and foster success in teachers of different age groups within your studio.
2. What strategies can be used to engage young, eager teachers and help them reach their potential?
3. How to recognize and maximize the unique strengths of senior teachers in order to develop a successful and well-rounded team.

"You need to invest in getting to know who they are as people and what lights their soul on fire. For me, that happens in the interview process."

All too often in our journeys as Dance Studio Owners, the people we are spending the most time talking with, planning for, and reacting to are our Teachers and our Parents.

That's why this week, guest hosts Heather and Patti have rolled in early with their coffees in hand, pumped up and energized to be chatting about some of their favourite people of all...their students!

In this episode, our caffienated CEOs discuss:

• Strategies for increasing engagement and retention in your preschool classes
• The importance of an entertainment / education balance for your younger dancers
• The importance of routine and consistency in the classroom at all ages
• The impact of creating a relationship with your students

PLUS you'll discover what Heather and Patti consider to be the MOST important classes in your studio.

⭐️ Limited Offer: Register for our FREE 'FastTrack To Full Classes'training series at dsoa.com/fasttrack

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ABOUT CEO COFFEE CHAT: Over 6 value-packed weeks, you’re invited to join us every Monday for our ‘CEO Coffee Chat' series featuring guest hosts and Inner Circle members, Heather Buelow and Patti Johnston!  
 
Join this dynamic duo for some real-talk over coffee each week, and share an inside-look into their world as successful dance studio owners, and DSOA studio growth captains.  
 
Heather and Patti will be sharing a deep insight into the important people in and around your business, and sharing the innovative strategies that they have implemented over the years to be among our industry's most inspiring leaders.

Unlock the joy of dance with the perfect parent-studio relationship!

This episode of the podcast is all about keeping your clients happy, as Patti and Heather share how they learned how to cultivate the ideal dance parent and how to make (and keep) them happy.

During this value-packed episode, you'll hear Patti and Heather's best strategies for customer happiness - including being preemptive with communications, showing appreciation, and understanding, and the importance in being mindful of the words used in advertising to attract the right clients for your studio.

"Finding the ideal client is so worth the time investment."

In this episode, you will learn:

1. How to use core values to identify and attract your ideal dance clients.
2. Strategies for communicating with and appreciating dance parents.
3. The importance of providing feedback and surveys to get a better understanding of what makes YOUR dance parents happy.

--

Over 6 value-packed weeks, you’re invited to join us every Monday for our ‘CEO Coffee Chat' series featuring guest hosts and Inner Circle members, Heather Buelow and Patti Johnston!  
 
Join this dynamic duo for some real-talk over coffee each week, and share an inside-look into their world as successful dance studio owners, and DSOA studio growth captains.  
 
Heather and Patti will be sharing a deep insight into the important people in and around your business, and sharing the innovative strategies that they have implemented over the years to be among our industry's most inspiring leaders.

Reimagining Your Studio Environment in a Challenging World with Heather Younger

Do you feel like the dynamic in your team has changed as the result of a tulmultuous few years in business?

Is your head spinning trying to define paths forward for your studio and employees in a world where change is happening at a faster pace than ever before?

This special episode is an Inner Circle retreat sneak-peek, where keynote speaker Dan Martell shares how to strategically buy back your time to unlock painless growth and to scale a studio you don’t grow to hate one day.

You don’t have time to do everything; only time to do what matters! As professionals and leaders, we wear many hats and it is easy to be constantly distracted, overwhelmed and not achieving the results we want and need to grow our business.

If we develop systems to increase our productivity and streamline our businesses we can focus on growing our sales and teams. This exclusive Inner Circle retreat sneak-peek is perfect for leaders who want more control so they can manage their time, focus their attention and manage their energy.

It's the FINAL week of our 'Work Less, Make More' series with the incredible Annie Leese Thistle, and in this week's podcast Annie shares the impact that working less has had on her life, both at the studio and outside of it in her personal life.

In this heartfelt and value-packed episode, Annie shares:

About the Work Less, Make More podcast series, with guest host Annie Leese Thistle.

For the next 6 weeks, we couldn't be more excited to be introducing a brand new host here on the podcast. Annie Leese Thistle is an extraordinary Studio Owner and Inner Circle member who will be leading from behind the microphone for a 6-part podcast series, ‘Work Less, Make More”

Annie is the CEO and Artistic Director of Performing Arts Academy of Marin - also known as PAAM - in Mill Valley, California.  Annie established PAAM in the summer of 2009, facilitating its growth with the help of dedicated faculty and staff from humble beginnings in a church hall to a thriving community with state-of-the-art facilities and premier training in dance and the performing arts.

In this limited series, Annie will be your guide to achieving more freedom and balance in your studio life as she walks you through her 6 Secrets to a Profitable 20 Hour Work Week.

This week we are going to talk about the 4 key people you need to assemble as you build your Rally Team for 2023 and beyond!

Throughout our journey's as Dance Studio Owners, we need people by our sides who can support us, love us, and be our biggest cheerleaders . So how do we find those crucial and amazing friends and confidants that really keep the wheels turning in our lives, and bring us happiness and joy in this journey so that we don't feel quite so alone?

Over the next 30 minutes, Annie Leese Thistle shares;

• What happens when you don't surround yourself by people that mirror, support and uplift you
• Where to find people who are like-minded in motivating themselves, and wanting the best not only for themselves, but for you as well
• The mentors and communities that have supported her in various way throughout her business journey
• How she discovered that it had to be HER decision to be inspired and move forward in order to achieve her version of success

Sometimes, being a dance studio owner can feel like an island, and Annie knows first-hand how critical your Rally Team is to your success and longevity in business.

"You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." Jim Rohn 

About the Work Less, Make More podcast series, with Annie Leese Thistle

For the next 6 weeks, we couldn't be more excited to be introducing a brand new host here on the podcast. Annie Leese Thistle is an extraordinary Studio Owner and Inner Circle member who will be leading from behind the microphone for a 6-part podcast series, ‘Work Less, Make More”

Annie is the CEO and Artistic Director of Performing Arts Academy of Marin - also known as PAAM - in Mill Valley, California.  Annie established PAAM in the summer of 2009, facilitating its growth with the help of dedicated faculty and staff from humble beginnings in a church hall to a thriving community with state-of-the-art facilities and premier training in dance and the performing arts.

In this limited series, Annie will be your guide to achieving more freedom and balance in your studio life as she walks you through her 6 Secrets to a Profitable 20 Hour Work Week.

When you look at the day and week ahead, are you paying close attention to your natural energy peaks?

How about your preferred activity or satisfaction levels?

Annie is the CEO and Artistic Director of Performing Arts Academy of Marin - also known as PAAM - in Mill Valley, California.  Annie established PAAM in the summer of 2009, facilitating its growth with the help of dedicated faculty and staff from humble beginnings in a church hall to a thriving community with state-of-the-art facilities and premier training in dance and the performing arts.

In this limited series, Annie will be your guide to achieving more freedom and balance in your studio life as she walks you through her 6 Secrets to a Profitable 20 Hour Work Week.

"Freedom" is a word that Dance Studio Owner, Annie Leese Thistle can get behind - and we know its one you can get behind too!

This week's episode is all about the 4 key ways that Annie has achieved more freedom and balance in her studio and life as she strives towards the 20 hour work week that enables her to Work Less, Make More. 

This week, Annie walks you through:

1. Why you need to create clear job descriptions for your team.
2. Empowering your team to be thinkers and come up with new ideas.
3. Planning for your team’s productivity as well as your own.
4. Discovering what are your "loss leaders".

Annie also shares her tips for laying out your days and weeks for maximum producitivity and freedom, AND the #1 financial tip that has transcended into her leadership and empowered her employees to take initiative confidently in their roles. 

We hope you enjoy this week's episode of Work Less, Make More with Annie Leese Thistle, powered by the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast. 

About your Host, Annie Leese Thistle!

For the next 6 weeks, we couldn't be more excited to be introducing a brand new host here on the podcast. Annie Leese Thistle is an extraordinary Studio Owner and Inner Circle member who will be leading from behind the microphone for a 6-part podcast series, ‘Work Less, Make More”

Annie is the CEO and Artistic Director of Performing Arts Academy of Marin - also known as PAAM - in Mill Valley, California.

Annie established PAAM in the summer of 2009, facilitating its growth with the help of dedicated faculty and staff from humble beginnings in a church hall to a thriving community with state-of-the-art facilities and premier training in dance and the performing arts. 

In this limited series, Annie will be your guide to achieving more freedom and balance in your studio life as she walks you through her 6 Secrets to a Profitable 20 Hour Work Week.

What are the things that are currently holding you back from reaching your full potential?

If you are a studio owner who wants change; if you want more, if you want better than your average; you need to change some things in order to get different results.

And that is exactly what this week's episode of "Work Less, Make More"on the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast with guest host, Annie Leese Thistle.

In this episode, you'll unlock:

• How to define what you really want in life so that you can be empowered to go after it
• Practical strategies for taking inventory of your current work week
• Tasks can you offload right now, and those you can look forward to offloading in the near future
• The importance of having clear training processes and systems in place

"You have to start with YOU in order to fix anything in your business or quality of life."

For the next 6 weeks, we couldn't be more excited to be introducing a brand new host here on the podcast. Annie Leese Thistle is an extraordinary Studio Owner and Inner Circle member who will be leading from behind the microphone for a 6-part podcast series, ‘Work Less, Make More”

Annie is the CEO and Artistic Director of Performing Arts Academy of Marin - also known as PAAM - in Mill Valley, California.

Annie established PAAM in the summer of 2009, facilitating its growth with the help of dedicated faculty and staff from humble beginnings in a church hall to a thriving community with state-of-the-art facilities and premier training in dance and the performing arts. 

In this limited series, Annie will be your guide to achieving more freedom and balance in your studio life as she walks you through her 6 Secrets to a Profitable 20 Hour Work Week.

In this six part podcast series 'Work Less, Make More', workaholic studio owner Annie Lesse Thistle discovers her true values and transforms her life to achieve a balance of work, family, and self that she never thought possible.

During this podcast mini-series, Annie will be your guide to achieving more freedom and balance in your studio life as she walks you through her six secrets to achieving the highly profitable 20 hour work week.

In this series premiere, you'll discover:
1. How Annie Leese Thistle went from working 72 hours a week to a 20 hour work week
2. What it was like for Annie during the pandemic and how it changed her perspective
3. How to identify and let go of things in your life that are holding you back

And SO much more.

"Everything you want is on the other side of fear."

About Your Host: Annie Leese Thistle is an extraordinary studio owner and Inner Circle member who will be leading a six-part series on working less and making more.

Annie is the CEO and artistic director of Performing Arts Academy of Marin (PAM) in Mill Valley, California. She established Pam in 2009 and has grown it from humble beginnings in a church hall to a thriving community with state-of-the-art facilities and premier training in dance and the performing arts. 

Candace Nelson, founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes, shares her insights on entrepreneurship, failure, and team building, providing the jolt of creativity and clarity dance studio owners need to take their studio to the next level.

If you want to learn how to be a successful studio CEO, take some lessons from Candace Nelson's successes and failures with her businesses.

Candace Nelson is the founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes, the world's first cupcake bakery. She is also a judge on the competition series Cupcake Wars and Sugar Rush.

This is Candace Nelson's story...

Candace Nelson is a successful entrepreneur and business owner who has built several businesses from the ground up. One of the things she is most proud of is her ability to maintain a beginner's mindset throughout her journey. This quality has allowed her to continue learning and growing, even as the landscape around her has changed. She is also a strong advocate for normalizing failure and believes that it is through failure that we learn the most valuable lessons.

In this episode, you'll discover:

1. How Candace consistently comes up with innovative new concepts and ideas (even knowing that some of them won't be successful)
2. What qualities Candace possesses as an entrepreneur that has fueled her continued success
3. What Candace has learned about team building, mentoring, and retaining great staff during her journey as a business owner

And SO much more! 

We hope you enjoy this exclusive interview, and unlock the confidence, courage & motivation you need to be a successful studio CEO.

Last month, Clint Salter hosted a live interview to celebrate the launch of Candace Nelson’s new book ‘Sweet Success’, and the insights shared during their hour together was so valuable that we simply had to bring it to you here on the podcast!

Over this 2-part mini series, you’ll learn how Sprinkles founder, Candace Nelson turned her passion into a profitable business, one cupcake at a time while getting the jolt of creativity and clarity you need to take your studio to the next level. 

We hope you enjoy this exclusive interview, and unlock the confidence, courage & motivation you need to be a successful studio CEO.

In the Inner Circle, we believe that studio ownership doesn’t need to be stressful for you to be successful.

In this special interview, our guests will show you how to stop running around putting out fires in your business, and return to the passionate, confident leader you were when you first started out - with a lot more cash in the bank and way more time to spend doing the things you love.

In the grand finale of the Studio Empire Formula, Hillary Parnell shares the 12 biggest business and life lessons she has learned as a 7-figure dance studio CEO (and wishes she had learned sooner!)

In the first episode of the Studio Empire Formula series, guest host Hillary Parnell talked a lot about overwhelm - and today she's back behind the mic to talk about the ugly cousin of overwhelm.

No matter how much you love your job, no matter how efficient and productive you tend to be by nature, everyone has done this at least once.

Can you guess what it is?

Of course, We’re talking about procrastination!

Pretty much everyone else can admit they procrastinate sometimes and it stalls out their work and keeps them from getting that list finally complete - and in this episode Hillary is not only going to walk you through the WHY of procrastination, but also how to make it work FOR you and not against you. 

We’re taking a dive deep into some topics that might be a little taboo this week! Some things that you might not quite understand right away, or might feel immediately opposed to.  But my hope is that I can change your mind. I hope you can see another point of view and then eventually, change your opinion on these subjects. 

Here are my big bold statements for the day- 

#1- Competition is beneficial to your business in EVERY way. (studio competition, not comp for your dancers.

#2- Negative Reviews are one of the BEST things that can happen to your business.

#3- EVERY customer issue is an opportunity to be awesome.

Do you think people should get paid for doing a job? Do you think people should get paid less for doing a poor job? What about people who do an exceptional job? 

The obvious answer is yes, to all of the above. But the reality is, lots of people do a job without getting paid. Probably some of you don’t pay yourself. Or sometimes people get hired for one job and end up doing another or a bigger job and not getting paid more or any differently. What about the people who barely do their job, or aren't’ keeping up with everyone else and dragging down the team?

Just like the last episode, if you don’t have a team yet, no problem. Stick with us and learn a few lessons so you don’t make the same mistakes everyone else does when they first start hiring people.

This episode of The Empire Formula series could also be called "Tough Love, With Hillary Parnell", as our host dives into how you might be getting in your own way of success - and it all comes down to leaderhsip. 

Over the next 30 minutes, Hillary takes a deep dive into:

• Why your desire to be in control of everything is hurting your business
• What will happen when you decide to stop putting out fires in your studio
• How to get better at delegating
• The best ways to hire an incentivize the best people for the job
• The biggest limiting belief that could be holding you back from ever reaching your potential

And so much more!

Over the next six weeks we are thrilled to be welcoming the one and only Hillary Parnell as our guest host for a brand new series: The Empire Formula!

Hillary Parnell is one of the Studio Growth Coaches inside the Inner Circle, the owner of Academy For The Performing Arts in North Carolina, and the owner and founder of Dance Photo Pro! This very special series will give you an inside-look into how Hillary has grown her dance studio into an Empire as she shares her strategies that will help you unleash your inner CEO.

In this season Hillary will be diving into: measuring and managing your success; limiting beliefs and grand gestures; letting go of the day-to-day; debunking delegation myths, and so much more!

As a growth coach inside the DSOA Inner Circle, Hillary Parnell works with Dance Studio Owners around the world to level up their businesses while continuing to find balance in their lives.

This week, Hillary is back behind the microphone to debut our brand new 6-episode series: The Empire Formula.

Many of the Studio Owners that we work with here in the DSOA have access to all of the tips, tricks and strategies to make changes in their studios.

But not everyone is taking action.

You can listen to all the podcasts in the world pay, for all the training manuals, read all the articles, but not everyone puts them into practice.

In this series, Hillary is approaching things from a brand new angle. She will be sharing her stories as well as the stories from our Inner Circle community that will help you see why it's so important to take action, AND give you the inspiration to take action.

Together we will be making the connection between action and consequence so we can go back and look at studio growth strategies with an entirely new energy levels of excitement.

In this series Hillary will be showing you:

- Ways to remove yourself from the day to day of your studio not have every decision weigh heavily on your shoulders
- How to find the right level balance in your life
- What it takes wake up feeling calm and have purpose every day

And most importantly, how to make money doing what you love!

Buckle up as Hillary shares the most important lessons she has learned that has helped studio owners achieve true success - just financial success.

In this series premiere, Hillary is taking a deep-dive into one of the most common challenges that Studio Owners face no matter how long they have been running their business, or how big they have become - OVERWHELM.

In the final episode of this thought-provoking 3-part series, Phil M Jones shares his 5-step sales process that you can plug and play into your studio to see drastic increases in your new student enrollments.

Often, the fear of being a salesperson means that you stand in the way of success and this week Phil is sharing his magical words that will help you avoid losing those important sales. 

Enjoy the ride as you discover the power that language has over the subconscious brain, and gain practical examples that you can apply instantly as you learn how the “Magic Words” from Phil’s best-selling book, EXACTLY What To Say, are applied to your dance studio.

"One of the most underrated skills when it comes to influencing people to take action, is to truly LISTEN to them." - Phil M Jones.

This thought-provoking 3-part series will have you enthralled as you learn how the “Magic Words” from Phil’s best-selling book, EXACTLY What To Say, are applied to your specific business-critical situations.

This mini-series delivers immediate actionable outcomes, where you can expect to be keen to work on your new word choices as early as the next break that follows!

Over the next 3 weeks, you’ll have your own front row ticket into our Inner Circle retreats, where we are sharing with you some of the best moments from one of our world-class speakers, Phil M. Jones.

In Part One of this limited series, you'll discover the #1 thing that could be holding you back from reaching your goals in business - fear of rejection - and the exact words you need to overcome it to drastically increase your enrollments and retention. 

Phil is a crowd-favorite inside the Inner Circle, and over the course of this 3-episode special you’ll find out why! This retreat exclusive will have you enthralled from the very start as you discover the power of language in your dance studio, and gain practical examples that you can apply instantly in business and life. 

This thought-provoking 3-part series will have you enthralled from the very start as you discover the power that language has over the subconscious brain, gain practical examples that you can apply instantly and learn how the “Magic Words” from Phil’s best-selling book, EXACTLY What To Say, are applied to your specific business-critical situations.

This mini-series delivers immediate actionable outcomes, where you can expect to be keen to work on your new word choices as early as the next break that follows!

What would YOU do if you had just one week to define your legacy?

In her final week as guest host, Kim McSwain answers this question as she breaks down the 5 core elements of YOUR 'Win-Win' dance studio machine. 

Kim reflects on this 6-part series as she dives into her experiences and expertise when it comes to: instilling excellence at all times; addressing what's missing in your training; valuing your customers; uniting your studio family; and the importance of continuing your professional development.

This week, guest host Kim McSwain is talking about the #1 thing you need to invest in for your studio's future: continuing education.

Kim believes that we can ALL be better at what we do, but so many of us neglect professional or professional development because we're simply too busy. 

Over the next 20 minutes, Kim will share her priorities for YOUR investment in the future, and the future of your dancers.  

We hope you love this week's episode of the Win-Win Machine, powered by the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast as much as we do!

The great news for YOU is that the doors are now open to join the Dance Studio Owners Inner Circle.

The bad news?

They are only open for a very limited time.

So if you are ready to take your studio to the next level, make sure to apply for the Dance Studio Owners Inner Circle today, at dsoa.com/innercircle.

This week's episode is all about breaking down walls and uniting your studio family - and who better to bring you actionable tips that you can implement into your studio than guest host and DSOA Inner Circle Coach, Kim McSwain!

We hope you love this week's episode of the Win-Win Machine, powered by the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast as much as we do!

The great news for YOU is that the doors are now open to join the Dance Studio Owners Inner Circle.

The bad news?

They are only open for a very limited time.

So if you are ready to take your studio to the next level, make sure to apply for the Dance Studio Owners Inner Circle today, at dsoa.com/innercircle.

Guest host, Kim McSwain is channeling her inner 'Fresh Prince' this week, as she shares her insights into managing parents and relationships inside your studio. 

Every time we ask our global community of studio owners, 'What is the biggest challenge you face in business'? the most common answer can be summed up in one word: PARENTS. 

In this not-to-be-missed episode, Kim lays it all out on the table to help you manage the expectations and boundaries with your dance moms and dads so that you can have the thriving and harmonious business you deserve. 

The focus of this week’s episode is critical for the survival of your dance studio, and that is to answer the question “what's missing in your training”?

No matter how big or small your studio is, no matter whether you have been operating for 5 months or 5 decades, in order to continue growing and thriving in business it’s imperative that we all continue to learn and not get “stuck” in what we know works.

Nobody knows this better than our ‘Win-Win Machine’ host, Kim McSwain, who has dedicated her career to empowering studio owners, teachers, parents and students to pursue excellence in every aspect of dance, business and life. 

In this no-holds-barred episode, Kim shares:

• How you can set yourself up to win in your personal and professional development goals by delegating efficiently and committing only to what serves YOU and your goals best
  
  
• The importance of continual growth, and the dangers of getting stuck in your ways
  
  
• Everyday hacks for prioritizing your most important tasks in order to enhance your performance and results
  
  

She also gives you the 3 self-reflections questions you need to ask yourself regularly that will keep you moving forward and accountable to your growth.