This week, Bec is joined by Chloe and Kirralee from KICO Dance Studios - two powerhouse young studio owners who've turned their childhood friendship into a thriving business (and total vibe).

They're sharing the real behind-the-scenes of buying a studio at 23 (yep!), surviving the Zoom era, launching a full-scale rebrand, and how they've used systems, time-blocking, and community love to build something truly special.

If you've ever thought "I should probably post on Instagram more..." or "Maybe it's time to finally rebrand," this ep is your nudge!

You'll hear about:

• The pink-and-orange rebrand that transformed their studio (and why it felt SO them)
• How time-blocking helps them do all the things without losing their minds
• Their seriously smart (and fun!) approach to social media
• What it's like running a studio with your best friend since childhood
• The mindset shifts that helped them handle hard decisions and trust their gut
• Their booming preschool program - and why splitting their concert was a game-changer
• Their team motto: Rinse, repeat and do better

This one's like a big warm hug with a side of practical magic. Studio owners, you're gonna LOVE it.

👉 Special offer for listeners: Get 1 week FREE inside the Tribe! Just hit the link and come join us - your future self will thank you: https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/

Ever felt like your studio was running you, not the other way around? This episode is for you.

We sat down with the fabulous Maree from Dancing With Maree, and let us tell you - her journey is the definition of transformation. From running three school halls (and crying in the car when they pulled the floor out from under her - literally) to running a thriving studio with 480 students, Maree shares it all.

You'll laugh, cry, and be reminded that change is absolutely possible - even if you've been doing things the same way for 15+ years.

In this episode:

• Maree's rocky start (no wage, no direction, lots of hustle)
• The storm - figuratively and literally - that forced her to pivot
• What SGC's 75 Hard did for her mindset and marketing
• Why moving into her own space was the game-changer
• Her staff training secrets (balloons, affirmations & all)
• How she gets her team to write their own critical paths (genius!)
• How Bec & Amanda's support helped her become the leader she is today

Maree's story proves you don't need to have it all figured out, you just need to take that first brave step.

👉 Special Offer: One Week Free in the Tribe! Our podcast listeners get exclusive access to try Tribe free. Click here to come join us: https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/

Pack your bags (mentally at least!) and join Amanda and Bec in this special episode recorded straight from sunny Fiji. While they were technically on a business trip (promise!), scouting the perfect venue for next year's Studio Growth Club retreat, they walked away with a whole lot more than tan lines and cocktail reviews.

This episode is a deep dive into the magic of unforgettable customer service: from 5-star resort treatment to small surprises that make a big impact back at your studio.

Here's what we chat about:

• The real reason we were sipping champagne in adults-only zones (spoiler: it was research!)

• What resort service taught us about first impressions in your studio

• The power of surprise and delight (and how a $5 coffee can be worth $50K)

• Why daily debriefs could be your studio's secret weapon

• Clever little ideas to make your studio parents feel truly seen

• Our favourite example from a Studio Growth Club member going the extra mile

• How to create VIP vibes on a not-so-VIP budget

• A sneak peek at our FIRST EVER international retreat

It's warm, it's honest, and it'll get you thinking about how you treat your studio families in a whole new way.

PS: Thinking about joining Studio Growth Club? Now's the perfect time. Applications are open, and you might just find yourself sipping cocktails with us in Fiji next year... Apply here: https://danceprincipalsunited.com/studio-growth/

It's Christmas season, which means... absolute mayhem for studio owners!

But before you skip that local tree lighting or Santa parade, you need to hear why Bec says these events are studio gold.

In this festive (and slightly frantic) episode, Amanda and Bec dive into:

• Why Bec runs nine shows and still makes time for Christmas gigs
• How she turns parades into powerful marketing events
• What to sell at your stall (hint: light-up wands & dance gift vouchers!)
• How to keep your preschoolers safe and sane in big outdoor events
• Genius follow-up systems that actually convert leads
• Why not every costume is a good fit for a public event (yep, we said it!)
• Amanda's slight obsession with all things tinsel

If you've ever wondered whether those community events are worth the stress, this one's for you.

Special Offer: Want to kickstart 2025 with more support? Studio Growth Club applications are open now! Click here to apply and get prepped to soar next year: https://danceprincipalsunited.com/studio-growth/

Comp season is over, and Bec and Amanda are feeling every bit of that comp hangover! This week on the pod, they're deep-diving into everything that worked (and didn't) during a jam-packed competition season. From massive days and prop-hauling trucks to awkward award ceremonies and cranky comp staff, they spill it all. This is a must-listen for any studio owner navigating the wild world of comps, whether you're all-in or dipping a toe. Here's what you'll hear:

• Why comp burnout is real (for you AND your families)
• How Bec handles solo comps and keeps it scalable
• The awards drama: participation ribbons, photo ops, and who really wants the trophy
• Why some comps win at studio-owner experience (hello, Panadol packs!)
• Tales of dressing room nightmares, cranky ticket ladies, and judging chaos
• How costume choices can totally shift the tone of your routine
• Tips to make comps a better experience for everyone involved

Plus, they share practical, heartfelt ideas to help comp organisers lift their game (seriously, every comp director should listen to this). Want to feel less alone in the madness of comp life? Hit play, have a giggle, and know we've all been there. PODCAST EXCLUSIVE: Grab your 2 weeks FREE in the Tribe! If you loved this ep, come hang out with Amanda and Bec in the DPUnited Tribe. Click here to join the community that gets it: https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/

Amanda and Bec spill all the tea from their latest Studio Growth Club retreat, and trust us, this is NOT your average conference recap. From blindfolded trust exercises and DIY wine pitching, to deep dives into studio systems and AI hacks, this weekend in the Hunter Valley was as jam-packed as a term four rehearsal week.

Whether you've been thinking about attending a live event or just need a fresh burst of inspo for your studio, this ep will have you nodding along and dreaming of your own glow-up getaway.

Here's what we cover:

• Why live retreats offer something no Zoom session can

• How fun + connection = serious studio breakthroughs

• Bart's epic trust-building exercise (and the surprising outcome!)

• Wine-making… dance studio style 🍷

• Customer journey mapping to fix your funnel holes

• Simple AI wins to save you time and sanity

• The real reason staffing might be draining your profits

• Fiji, here we come! Sneak peek at the next retreat

Want to experience this magic yourself? Podcast listeners can try the Dance Principles United Tribe FREE for 1 week. Click here to join: https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/

This one's for the studio owners with admin teams, or those thinking about hiring one. Amanda and Nathan unpack how to get the most out of your admin staff without micromanaging, overspending, or letting things fall through the cracks.

They answer a listener question from Bec about admin strategy, and dive into real, practical steps you can take to build a streamlined, cost-effective, and high-performing admin setup that actually helps you grow.

(Plus, Amanda admits to getting distracted by Amazon. Again.)

Key Takeaways:

• How admin staff costs can quietly eat up your profit if you're not paying attention
• Why you should do the admin first, even if it's not your favourite thing
• The importance of systemising tasks (and the free tool Nathan swears by)
• How to track how long things really take before handing them off
• Setting clear KPIs for admin roles (including examples for leads & accounts)
• How to keep staff accountable without micromanaging
• What weekly check-ins should look like (spoiler: it's just 10 minutes)
• The danger of putting "nice" teachers in admin roles they're not suited for
• How to start small with hours and build from there
• What true leadership (not just management) looks like with your team

Need help setting up better systems in your studio? Don't forget, podcast listeners get 1 week free inside the Dance Principles United Tribe: https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/

This week, Amanda and Bec dive into something every dance studio owner has… but might not have touched in years: your website.

They're not pulling punches in this one - you'll hear real talk about what your website is actually for, what most studio owners get wrong (hint: it's not about you), and how to make it easier for busy parents to say yes to a trial class.

And yes, there are some laughs - including a very relatable story about Amazon, 80s sleeve bands, and why Amanda's postman is basically her bestie.

Key Takeaways:

• Why your studio website is not for current families
• The single job your site needs to do: get new students to book a trial
• What to remove ASAP: elite dancer pics, long bios, too many dropdowns
• What to include: smiling happy kids, simple age-based pathways, big "Book a Trial" buttons
• How a parent really uses your site: multitasking, mobile-only, wine in hand
• Why most people click away when asked for too many details
• How Amanda & Bec are refreshing their own websites (and what they've learned)

🎉 Podcast listeners get 1 weeks free in the Dance Principals United Tribe! Click here to grab your spot: https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/ 📹 Plus - want Amanda & Bec to review your website? First 5 to comment will get a free website audit via Loom.

In this week's episode, Nathan and Bec go deep on a question a lot of studio owners wrestle with: should you expand (open a second location) or lean into optimising what you've got first? They share stories from their own journeys, cautionary tales, and strategies you can use now to grow smarter - not just bigger.

We talk about why expansion isn't always the answer, what "fullness" really means in your studio, how your timetable could secretly be holding you back, and when (and if) a second location actually makes sense.

Key Takeaways:

• Expansion is expensive - fit‑out, extra staff, marketing, more admin time
• Many studios who open a second location might not be ready - headspace & risk are often underestimated
• What does "bursting at the seams" actually mean? Look beyond just one busy evening
• How to audit your studio's capacity: class fill rates, age distributions, under‑utilised slots
• The power of optimising your timetable - getting students into more classes without needing more students
• Back‑to‑back scheduling (e.g. circus + acro) and designing it for what's easiest for parents (not teachers)
• Watch demographic trends and local growth cues before choosing a new location
• It's okay (and smart) to focus on maximising what you already have before chasing "more"

If this episode got your wheels turning and you'd love more support, don't forget: podcast listeners get 1 week free in our Dance Principals United Tribe. Hit the link in the show notes and come see us inside: https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/

In this week's episode, Amanda is joined by Nathan as they dive into one of their fave mantras: "Big moves = big results" - especially when it comes to enrollment pushes in your dance studio. They share what works (and what doesn't), real numbers from members who went all in, and how to confidently lean into follow-up (even when you're terrified of sounding "salesy").

In this episode you'll hear:

• Why the one‑and‑done email/messaging approach almost never gets you big results
• How to plan out a two‑week bring-a-friend / open-week campaign: what pieces to include
• The power of every touchpoint: emails, texts, socials, teachers in class, flyers, posters, balloons
• Why the follow-up is where most studios drop the ball, and simple systems to plug that gap
• Real studio numbers: how one team landed 135 extra class placements in one week
• How to lean into rejection, build confidence in calling leads, and see the upside
• Why consistency + iteration beats reinventing the wheel every time

Want more support? If you're feeling inspired (or overwhelmed) by all this, remember: our Dance Principals United Tribe is here. You might also hear some of our Studio Growth Club members on the podcast soon, sharing their stories. To get a week free in the Tribe, click here: https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/