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Hiring teachers is one thing. Keeping great teachers long-term is something else entirely.
In this throwback episode, Annie Leese and Lauren Kelly break down the leadership, systems, and culture shifts that help dance studio owners build teams that stay invested, supported, and committed for the long haul.
Lauren shares how she transformed her mindset as a studio owner, what she learned inside the Inner Circle, and why personalized leadership matters more than ever.
What you'll learn:
How to hire based on studio mission and values
Why feedback surveys can improve hiring decisions
Creative ways to retain great staff
The importance of compensation and financial stability
How personalized leadership improves retention
Why team culture starts with the owner
What it means to lead like a CEO in the dance industry
Lauren Kelly is the owner and artistic director of Music and Motion Dance Studio. Since taking over the studio from her mother, Lauren has focused on building a culture-driven team rooted in education, leadership, and long-term sustainability.
Explore our partners:
Sign up for Studio Sync - dsoa.com/syncmembership
Try our Daily Decision Compass - dsoa.com/compass
Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!
Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:
Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation
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What makes families stay at a dance studio for years and what causes them to quietly walk away?
In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, relationship marketing expert Barb Betts shares why retention is built through emotional connection, authentic culture, and meaningful relationships. Guided by reflections from the DSOA's operations specialist Katie Wilber, this conversation explores the deeper human side of studio leadership and the moments that make families feel like they truly belong.
Barb unpacks how studio owners can strengthen loyalty, improve communication, build stronger relationships with teachers and parents, and create a studio culture families never want to leave. From practical retention strategies to the power of authenticity and connection, this episode will challenge studio owners to think differently about what truly drives long-term growth and referrals.
What You'll Learn:Why retention is rooted in belonging and emotional connection
The difference between unavoidable attrition and preventable departures
Why studio owners can never fully delegate relationships
How stronger teacher relationships improve retention
Practical ways to create community outside of dance classes
Why authentic studio culture attracts the right families
The power of intentional communication and personal connection
How relationship-based leadership drives referrals and long-term growth
The "small moments" that create lasting studio loyalty
Why trying to be everything for everyone hurts retention
About Barb BettsBarb Betts is a keynote speaker, CEO, relationship strategist, and author of The Relationship Advantage. With more than 23 years of experience building businesses through trust-based relationships, Barb teaches leaders how authentic human connection drives growth, loyalty, and long-term success. Her work has been featured in outlets including ABC, KTLA, and Us Weekly.
Explore our partners:
Try our Daily Decision Compass with a Free 7-Day Trial: dsoa.com/compass
Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!
Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:
Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation
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Fehlende Folgen?
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What if your studio isn't struggling… it's just misaligned?
In this powerful episode, Jodi Shilling unpacks how authentic branding can completely transform your enrollment, culture, and confidence as a leader.
Jodi Shilling is a dance studio owner in Los Angeles and a seasoned growth coach inside the DSOA Inner Circle. Known for her bold decisions and elevated brand, Jodi has helped studio owners redefine their identity, attract aligned families, and build thriving, values-driven businesses.
This episode dives deep into what branding really means for dance studio owners and why it's often misunderstood. Jodi shares her journey from inconsistent, inauthentic branding to building a highly aligned studio that scaled from 250 to 800+ students.
From losing 70% of her clients to creating a brand that fuels connection, trust, and growth, this conversation will challenge how you think about marketing, leadership, and identity.
What You'll Learn:
Why branding is NOT about logos, colors, or aesthetics
How authenticity directly impacts enrollment growth
The role of personal brand in building trust and sales
Why repelling the wrong clients is essential
How to create emotional connection through marketing
The difference between polished vs. relatable content
How to align your team with your brand values
Practical ways to discover your personal brand
Jodi Shilling is a Studio Growth Coach with the Dance Studio Owners Association and the founder of Relevé Studios in Los Angeles. With over 17 years of experience, she helps studio owners grow revenue, impact, and freedom through aligned leadership and authentic branding.
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If your studio's marketing sounds like everyone else's… this might be why.
In this episode, branding expert Bruce Turkel shares why standing out has nothing to do with what you offer and everything to do with how people experience your brand.
From understanding what today's customers actually care about to breaking free from outdated "features-based" marketing, this conversation will challenge the way you position your studio and help you connect in a way that drives real growth.
Bruce explains why function is simply the "cost of entry" in today's market and how the studios that truly thrive are the ones creating emotional connection, memorable experiences, and meaningful differentiation.
If you're tired of blending in and ready to build a brand families feel, this episode is a must-listen.
What You'll Learn
Why most dance studio marketing sounds the same
The difference between function and brand value
How emotional connection influences buying decisions
Why customer experience matters more than features
The branding lesson dance studios can learn from Tiffany & Co.
How to make your studio stand out in a crowded market
The key difference between good brands and great brands
Bruce Turkel is an internationally recognized branding expert, speaker, and author who helps businesses create more valuable and memorable brands. He has worked with major companies including Discovery Channel, Hasbro, Bacardi, and Miami, and is the author of several books on branding and customer experience, including All About Them, named one of Forbes' top business books of the year.
Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!
Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:
Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation
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What if the next level of your studio doesn't require more effort—but a different role?
In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Cara Poppitt breaks down the critical shift every growing studio owner must make: moving from managing the day-to-day… to leading with vision as a CEO.
Drawing from her own journey, Cara shares what it really takes to step out of the weeds, develop a clear direction for your studio, and build a team that can help carry it forward. Because long-term growth doesn't come from doing more—it comes from leading differently.
If you've ever felt stuck in the operations of your business or unsure how to scale without burning out, this episode will challenge you to rethink your role—and step into the leadership your studio actually needs.
What You'll Learn:
The difference between management and true leadership
Why staying in "task mode" keeps you stuck and overwhelmed
How to hire and build a team aligned with your vision
The role of culture in retention and team performance
How to stop being the bottleneck in your business
Why leadership is about people, not just systems
How to develop the skills needed to lead effectively
Cara Poppitt is a leadership expert, entrepreneur, and founder of two award-winning companies. She has helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs grow their businesses and is the author of the bestselling book Big Freakin' Change.Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!
Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:
Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation
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In this special short episode, Lisa DeMaio, Inner Circle Program Director, shares an important update with the Dance Studio Owners Association community regarding a recent leadership change. This is a message of continuity, confidence, and forward momentum as we continue to evolve and support you.
Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!
Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:
Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation
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Today's studio families want more than just great classes — they want to see growth and feel the progress.
In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Inner Circle Growth Coach Annie Leese reveals:
- How strategic use of simple class videos can dramatically boost loyalty and re-enrollment
- Easy ways to highlight student achievements without turning into a full-time content creator
- How to use video to celebrate growth, strengthen parent trust, and build a studio culture students never want to leave
Crucial tips for privacy, permission, and staying legally protected when using student videos
Whether you are trying to keep more students after recital season or build a stronger studio brand, this episode will help you leverage video as one of your most powerful and underused retention tools.
Plus, join our free Facebook group for studio owners for even more templates, strategies, and real-time examples: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theDSOA
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Getting students through the door is just the first step — real growth comes from keeping them excited, motivated, and emotionally connected to your studio week after week.
In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Inner Circle Growth Coach Annie Leese shares:
- Why loyalty and retention are built in the small, daily moments — not just big performances
- 5 simple, interactive tech tools you can use to boost connection without adding hours to your schedule
- How gamification, feedback apps, and social media recognition can turn your classes into a highlight of your dancers' week
Why retention — not just attraction — is the real measure of studio growth
If you're ready to simplify your engagement systems, build loyalty faster, and stop fighting enrollment turnover every season, this one's for you.
Plus: Want real examples, templates, and tools you can plug into your studio today? Join our free Dance Studio Owners Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/theDSOA
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What starts as a simple across-the-floor jazz outline… ends up in a 2 a.m. TikTok spiral. We've all been there. This week on the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, we're breaking the cycle of burnout planning and giving you the ultimate shortcut to smarter, faster lesson design.
Join Inner Circle Studio Growth Coach, Annie Leese, as she shares:
- Her real-world tech workflow for building 30 weeks of lessons in minutes
- How to use ChatGPT and your studio's core values to generate meaningful class content
- Systems that help your teachers stay creative without starting from scratch every week
- Why "record what you're already doing" is your new favorite strategy
This isn't about working harder — it's about working smarter with the tools already at your fingertips. Want more tools like this every week? Join us inside the free DSOA Studio Owners Facebook Group: facebook/com/groups/theDSOA
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Are you buried under endless admin tasks — chasing down attendance, payments, and scheduling issues — instead of focusing on what really matters in your studio?
In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Inner Circle Growth Coach Annie Leese shares:
- 5 simple tech tools to streamline your class management, registration, and communication
- How to save hours of time each week (without hiring more staff)
- Practical ways to set up automations for class reminders, payments, and team communication
The truth about tech overwhelm — and why you only need one or two smart tools to see massive results
Ready to feel like a CEO again instead of your studio's admin assistant? This episode will show you exactly where to start. Plus: Get access to real studio templates, tool kits, and daily tips inside our free Dance Studio Owners Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/theDSOA
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If parents in your area are searching for dance classes online, is your studio one of the first they find? In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio podcast, Inner Circle mentor Heather Jackson explains how studio owners can use SEO (search engine optimization) to increase their website's visibility and attract more students—without needing a tech background. Learn simple, actionable strategies to boost your search rankings and let your website do the work for you!
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Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most effective ways to grow your dance studio—but only if you have a system in place to encourage and reward referrals. In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio podcast, Inner Circle mentor Heather Jackson shares how to set up a referral program that practically runs itself. Discover simple, proven ways to motivate your current dance families to spread the word, leading to increased enrollment without additional marketing stress.
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Marketing your dance studio doesn't have to mean constantly creating new content. In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio podcast, Inner Circle mentor Heather Jackson, owner of Kaleidoscope Dance, joins us to break down the power of evergreen content—marketing materials that continue to attract and engage potential students long after they're published. Learn how to leverage this strategy to boost your studio's visibility, build trust with your audience, and bring in new enrollments with minimal ongoing effort.
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What if you could create something once and have your team use it over and over again? In this episode, Shawna Kwan explores how to build resources—like systems—that save you time in the long run. Learn the best formats, tools, and strategies for making sure your resources stay updated without you having to redo them constantly. Work smarter, not harder!
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You don't have to run your studio alone. In this episode, Shawna Kwan shares key roles you can delegate to trusted team members, from front-desk staff and admin assistants to customer service and operations managers. Learn how to find the right people, what responsibilities to give them, and how to create a system that keeps your studio running smoothly—even when you're not there.
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Marketing is essential—but it doesn't have to take up all your time. In this episode, Shawna Kwan walks you through how to outsource social media, advertising, and content creation without losing your brand's voice. Learn what tasks to delegate first, how to vet the right marketing professional, and the key systems that make outsourcing seamless. If you've been hesitant to let go of marketing, this episode will give you the confidence to take the leap!
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The Transform My Dance Studio Podcast is celebrating its milestone 600th episode! This special edition takes a moment to thank its dedicated listeners who continue to find inspiration, knowledge, and practical strategies through the podcast. In this episode, Program Manager Lisa from the DSOA Inner Circle is joined by Inner Circle Growth Coaches Jodi Shilling and Sharon Uyar. Together, they share insights and proven strategies to help dance studio owners ensure their summer camps are fully booked. Tune in for expert advice and actionable tips to make the most of summer programs!
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Feeling overwhelmed by admin work? A Virtual Assistant (VA) could be the game-changer your dance studio or business needs. In this episode, host Shawna Kwan, Inner Circle Community Leader and powerhouse studio owner of Elan Dance Arts, breaks down what a VA can do for you—from managing emails and scheduling to customer service and social media. She'll also dive into how to find the right VA, what to delegate first, and how to set up a successful working relationship. If you're ready to free up your time and focus on what you do best, this episode is for you!
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In this episode, Teamwork Makes the (Recital) Dream Work, Sharon Uyar, CEO of Fusion Dance Center and Inner Circle Mentor, explores how effective team delegation can transform your recital planning process. Discover strategies to delegate tasks and projects with confidence so you can focus on enjoying the show while your team runs the event like a well-oiled machine.
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In this episode, Recital Cost Savers and Money-Makers, Sharon Uyar, CEO of Fusion Dance Center and Inner Circle Mentor, shares practical tips to reduce production costs and maximize profitability. Discover smart ways to save money without compromising quality and explore new revenue streams to make your recitals a financial success.
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