Let’s be honest: concerts these days need to do more than dazzle on stage. In this episode, Amanda and Bec are diving into how your end-of-year concert can (and should!) be a retention powerhouse, a marketing machine, and a profitable part of your studio year - all without sending your parents into meltdown mode.

They unpack what today’s parents actually want (hint: it’s not 15 makeup changes and a Pinterest-worthy updo), and how you can make your concert experience smoother, simpler, and more joyful for everyone. If you've ever found yourself juggling costume chaos, payment overloads, or concerts that run longer than a Lord of the Rings marathon… this one's for you.

What we cover:

• Why concerts should be built for marketing, retention, and profit (not just your creative flair)
• The reason parents don’t want six tiny costume payments spread out over months
• How to simplify your concert offerings and make parents breathe a sigh of relief
• The power of the opt-out model to boost participation
• How to ditch complicated makeup and shoe requirements (please!)
• A practical new approach to costume pricing (that still looks fab on stage)
• Why studio owners should go and watch other concerts for fresh eyes
• Real talk about the TikTok-attention-span reality we’re all facing

🎧 Pop in your earbuds, grab that cold coffee, and let’s reimagine your concert season, minus the overwhelm.

👉 Got concert chaos? Let’s sort it inside The Tribe! https://www.danceprincipalsunited.com/offers/4znu2MFP/checkout

This episode is a must-listen if you've ever found yourself working your butt off in the studio… only to realise you didn’t get paid again this week. 😩

Amanda opens up about the moment that changed everything: when she was 21, running her studio, and realised she couldn’t afford to pay herself… even though she’d just done 10x the work of her staff. Yikes.

This episode dives deep into the real reason so many studio owners struggle with cash flow (even when the numbers look good on paper).

We’re talking about:

- That gut-punch moment when Amanda vowed never to go unpaid again 💥

- Why your wage isn’t a “nice to have” - it’s essential

- How profitable businesses still fail (yep, really)

- The ego trap of overstaffing too soon

- What the “Profit First” method actually means for studios

- Amanda’s go-to moves when cash flow gets tight (spoiler: it’s not cutting costs!)

- The smartest way to split your money into separate accounts

- The software trick that saves you 30 hours a week without hiring admin staff

If money talk makes you uncomfortable, this is exactly the episode you need. Because when you’re paid well, your whole studio thrives.

👉 Special offer: Grab two weeks free inside the Dance Principals United Tribe just for tuning in. It’s where the real magic (and mentoring) happens. 💛 https://www.danceprincipalsunited.com/offers/4znu2MFP/checkout

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and drop us a comment on YouTube, we love hearing from you!

Ever dreamt of taking a proper break from your studio - like, a whole month off - but felt that sinking guilt or panic set in? In this episode, Amanda and Bec chat all about how Bec managed to take a four-week European holiday (yep, four whole weeks!) and came back to a studio that was still buzzing along beautifully.

They share what had to be in place to make that happen, including systems, trust, and letting go of perfection. 

Whether you're thinking about your next holiday or just need permission to step back a bit, this episode is packed with gold.

In this episode:

• How Rebecca prepped for her 4-week break (and what she missed while away)
• Why long-term planning beats last-minute scrambling
• The key mindset shifts around guilt, trust, and taking time off
• Why your staff need to understand the ‘why’ behind your systems
• The magic of a “fix-it fund” (and how it frees everyone up)
• How clear communication protocols keep things humming
• The power of letting go so your team (and studio) can grow

💬 Got dreams of stepping away from your studio without chaos? Tune in to hear how it’s totally possible, with the right systems and support.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

Our Studio Growth Club for long-term planning and systems: https://www.danceprincipalsunited.com/offers/4znu2MFP/checkout

Bec is back from a whirlwind overseas adventure and she's got stories to share: from Pineapple Studios in London to the Amalfi Coast in Italy, and everywhere in between.

Bec’s daughter, BeBe, just won Teen World Dancer of the Year at the World Dance Movement comp (go Beebs!), and the experience was nothing short of life-changing. From self-choreographing her street routine to being scouted by a US agent and racking up scholarships, BeBe's success got us reflecting on what it really takes to create community, opportunity, and unforgettable memories for our students.

You’ll also hear about:

• The podcast’s first French listeners (bonjour!)
• Why Pineapple Studios was packed with recreational kids on a Sunday
• Ideas for turning your studio into a weekend destination
• The behind-the-scenes of a global comp that felt more like a family reunion
• The surprisingly emotional moment BeBe returned home to a studio surprise party
• How to level up your own studio events with simple, connection-first ideas

Plus, we some studio takeaways that could shake up how you approach your next concert or comp season.

👉 Are you in The Tribe yet? We’re diving deeper into this convo and sharing behind-the-scenes pics and templates in our private group. Join us: https://www.danceprincipalsunited.com/offers/4znu2MFP/checkout

It’s a big one this week, friends! Amanda and Nathan are unpacking all the behind-the-scenes wins from their Studio Growth Club competition, and let’s just say that $30,000 extra revenue in a single week is no joke. If you've ever wondered how to make Open Week actually work for your studio, this ep is pure gold.

We’re also diving into something that could totally change how studios market themselves: Australia’s new social media rules for under 16s. Yep, big changes are coming, and Amanda and Bec are here to help you stay one step ahead.

Plus, there's a cheeky first-class Qantas story (thanks Nathan!) with some fab ideas for levelling up your student experience.

In this episode:

• The Studio Growth Club strategy that’s adding $30K+ to studios in one week

• The right (and wrong) way to run an Open Week

• First-class travel hacks that double as studio service tips

• How the new under-16 social media ban could affect your followers

• Why this could actually help your marketing reach the right parents

• Simple tips for cutting the jargon in your studio’s messaging

• What elite studios might need to do to stay ahead

• A special two-week free Tribe offer just for listeners

✨ Heads up: Want in on that Studio Growth Club magic? DM @danceprincipalsunited on Insta.

🎁 Don’t miss your free 2-week Tribe trial, it’s the best place to grow your studio with heart and strategy: https://www.danceprincipalsunited.com/offers/4znu2MFP/checkout

Ever found yourself stuffing dinner into a lunchbox because there's no time to sit down as a family? Yep, us too. In this week’s episode, Amanda and Bec get real about how becoming dance mums changed everything: from the way they teach to the way they run their studios. Turns out, juggling comp hair and homework gives you a whole new level of empathy. They share behind-the-scenes stories from their own lives, like Amanda's daughter Zali dancing five nights a week (goodbye family dinners), Rebecca softening her stance on comp makeup for under-6s, and the reality of being seen as “just a dance mum” by new parents. If you’ve ever taught your own child, questioned your studio policies after becoming a parent, or felt the tug-of-war between home and studio life, this one’s for you. In this chat:

• How parenting made us less rigid (and way more understanding)
• Why comp mornings can break even the most organised mum
• What happens when your student is also your kid
• The tiny things that stress out parents, and how to ease them
• Creating safer spaces for parent-teacher convos
• How to spot (and stop) sneaky miscommunications ✨ Special Mention: Don’t forget to check out the Dance Principals United Tribe for your two weeks free, the safe, supportive space for studio owners just like you: https://www.danceprincipalsunited.com/offers/4znu2MFP/checkout 

What’s it really like growing up in a dance studio...especially when your mum owns it?

In this raw, funny, and heartfelt episode, Amanda sits down with BeBe Liu-Brennan (daughter of studio owner and Dance Principals United Podcast co-host, Miss Bec) for a deep dive into the real life of a studio kid.

From early-stage recitals at 18 months old to teaching classes and prepping for Europe, BeBe shares the highs, lows, and surprising lessons she’s learned from being immersed in the dance world her entire life.

They chat about:

• What most people don’t understand about studio kids

• How BeBe handles pressure, parent whispers, and proving herself in front of the line

• Her dreams of being a pop star and business owner (yes, she’s already thinking like a CEO at 15)

• The powerful mindset tricks she’s learned from watching her mum in action

• Why she treats her Instagram like a business, and why your students probably should too

This one is for every studio owner who’s ever worried they’re not doing enough as a parent, and every young dancer figuring out who they are beyond the barre. 📣 SPECIAL OFFER FOR LISTENERS: Want more real talk and real support? Grab 2 weeks free in Dance Principles United Tribe: https://www.danceprincipalsunited.com/offers/4znu2MFP/checkout

Your midyear concert just gave you a goldmine of content, connection and insight, so why let it disappear into the term 3 chaos?

In this episode, Amanda and Bec unpack exactly how to turn this year’s concert into a full-blown marketing strategy for 2026. We share real stories (yes, including that bus story), smart content ideas you can still grab right now, and the exact plan we use to make midyear magic last way beyond one night on stage.

Whether your concert was perfect, or perfectly chaotic, there are powerful lessons sitting in it (if you know where to look.)

We cover:

• Why backstage content works better than on-stage photos

• What to capture for maximum reach and real engagement

• How to turn parent + kid moments into powerful transformation reels

• How to brief teens, staff, or even yourself to get better content

• Our best tricks for capturing testimonials and creating buzz for next year

This episode will help you stop thinking of your concert as a one-time event and start using it as the starting line for future enrolments, engagement and growth.

📣 SPECIAL OFFER FOR LISTENERS: Want more real talk and real support? Grab 2 weeks free in Dance Principles United Tribe: https://www.danceprincipalsunited.com/offers/4znu2MFP/checkout 

DPU Tribe | Studio Growth Club

#DancePrincipalsUnited #DanceStudioLife #PodcastForDancers #StudioGrowth #DanceCommunity #DanceStudioSuccess #MarketingForDanceStudios #IdealClient #GrowYourStudio

Amanda and Bec are going unfiltered as they reflect on some of the toughest situations they've faced as studio owners: from heartbreaking student departures to challenging staff dynamics and one very expensive legal wake-up call. This one’s for every studio owner who's been there, or is there right now.

You’ll hear us talk about:

• What it really feels like to lose a long-term student you've poured your heart into

• Why letting go of toxic team members might be the best move you ever make

• How Amanda turned staff sabotage into an opportunity (and met the teacher who would one day buy her studio!)

• Bec’s $40,000 lesson in misclassifying staff and why every studio owner needs to hear this cautionary tale

• Why we must stop bending over backwards to keep people who are already halfway out the door

• “Pause on a positive”: the perspective shift that’ll change how you handle the hard stuff

A must-listen for: Studio owners navigating hard conversations, tough team calls, or the aftermath of hurtful exits — and anyone ready to take their power back and grow through what they go through.

📣 SPECIAL OFFER FOR LISTENERS: Want more real talk and real support? Grab 2 weeks free in Dance Principles United Tribe: https://www.danceprincipalsunited.com/offers/4znu2MFP/checkout 

DPU Tribe | Studio Growth Club

#DancePrincipalsUnited #DanceStudioLife #PodcastForDancers #StudioGrowth #DanceCommunity #DanceStudioSuccess #MarketingForDanceStudios #IdealClient #GrowYourStudio

Amanda and Bec sit down in person (yes, together in the same room!) to share the real behind-the-scenes moments that changed the course of their studios forever. From rock bottom bank accounts to million-dollar property deals, they’re unpacking the highs, the lows, and the big lessons learned along the way. If you're a studio owner looking for clarity, inspiration, or just a reminder that you're not alone on this wild ride this episode is for you. You'll hear: The pivotal moment Amanda’s mentor gave her some tough love (and what she did next that changed everything) Why shifting focus to preschoolers helped scale her numbers like crazy The surprising turning point that started with a need to prove everyone wrong The big scary risk of buying a commercial studio property with a newborn and no backup plan Bec's journey to owning a home solo (and how it made her rethink every financial decision) The unfiltered truth about going “all in” on competitions and why she’s still unsure it’s the right move Special Listener Offer Love what you’re hearing? We’ve got something just for you! Podcast listeners get 2 weeks FREE inside Dance Principles United Tribe - click here to claim yours! DPU Tribe | Studio Growth Club #DancePrincipalsUnited #DanceStudioLife #PodcastForDancers #StudioGrowth #DanceCommunity #DanceStudioSuccess #MarketingForDanceStudios #IdealClient #GrowYourStudio