Ever wonder why some students keep coming back and others drift away? It might not be your music, your playlist, or your moves. It’s your teaching. In this episode of Belly Dance Biz Builders, I’m diving into one of the most overlooked skills in the dance and fitness world: effective breakdown and build-up.

I’ll explain:

* Why simply “following the bouncing butt” doesn’t work (and never did)

* The difference between showing vs. truly teaching a move

* How breaking moves into layers keeps beginners engaged and pros challenged

* Real-world examples from SharQui classes to help you rethink your own teaching approach

This episode is for dance teachers who are ready to stop losing students and start delivering real value in every class.

Ready to rethink how you teach? Let’s do this.

🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online

🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach

In this episode of Belly Dance Biz Builders, we’re getting real about something most dance instructors ignore: your mindset. If you’re undercharging, undervaluing yourself, or feeling weird about raising your rates - you need to listen.

I’ll share:

* The simple mindset shift that can help you finally believe in your worth

* A practical exercise to sell YOU to yourself first (so you can sell to others)

* My 5-step business audit to find the gaps in your classes, performances, and marketing

If you’re ready to stop playing small and start treating your dance business like a real business, this episode is your wake-up call. Let’s kickstart your confidence and clean up your systems - because yes, you ARE worth it.

Ask ChatGPT

🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online

🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach

Getting students through the door is one thing - but getting them to stick around? That’s where most instructors struggle.

In this episode of Belly Dance Biz Builders, I’m breaking down why students ghost your classes after one visit - and how to fix it. Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or just getting started, I’ll help you think like a student so you can create an experience they actually want to come back to.

Tune in to learn:

* Why being a great dancer doesn’t make you a great teacher

* The exact questions to ask yourself to improve your student experience

* How to turn first-time visitors into long-time students

Ready to grow your classes and your confidence? This episode gives you the tough love and practical tips to make it happen.

Listen now.

🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online

🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach

In today’s world, running your dance business without tech? It’s like teaching dance in the dark.

In this episode of Belly Dance Biz Builders, I’m breaking down why embracing technology isn’t just optional - it’s essential if you want to grow. From streamlining your registrations to boosting your marketing and engagement, tech tools can make your life easier and your business more profitable.

I’m sharing:

* How simple tools (yes, even apps!) can transform your biz

* Why social media and online registration aren’t “nice to have” - they’re non-negotiable

* My favorite affordable app that acts like your own branded studio platform

If tech scares you, don’t worry - I’ll show you how to shift your mindset and start small.

Ready to get found, get paid, and get organized? Hit play now!

🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online

🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach

In this episode of Belly Dance Biz Builders, I’m getting real about a question I hear way too often: “Why are you so salesy?”

Here’s the truth: if you have a product or service that can change lives - whether it's a dance class, workshop, or instructor training - you have an obligation to SELL it. Yep. Selling isn’t pushy. It’s service.

Listen as I break down:

* Why being “anti-sales” is sabotaging your business

* The mindset shift that turned me from hesitant seller to empowered business owner

* How to promote without guilt, fear, or second-guessing

Whether you’re nervous about selling or just need a little kick in the leggings, this episode will help you see promotion in a whole new light.

Ready to start seeing sales as service? Hit play now.

🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online

🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach

Let’s be honest: 99% of your students are amazing. But what about that 1%? You know the ones - disruptive, difficult, or just straight-up disrespectful.

In this episode of Belly Dance Biz Builders, I’m sharing two real-life stories about how I handled some of the most frustrating “class fools” in my 25+ years of teaching. From refund demands to students doing their own thing in the front row (yep, really), I’m breaking down how I handled it, why it mattered, and what I learned.

Listen in for:

* How to decide when to refund… or stand your ground

* Why protecting the vibe of your class matters more than pleasing everyone

* My no-BS approach to handling disruptive students without losing your cool

If you’ve ever struggled with “that student” who throws off the whole class, this episode is for you.

Hit play and get ready for some truth smacks and real talk.

🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online

🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach

What Sets Successful Dance Business Owners Apart?

Spoiler alert: It’s not just motivation or raw talent.

In this episode, I’m diving into the real traits that separate the dreamers from the doers—and let me tell you, it’s personal. After being asked, “How do you get so good at teaching anyone how to dance?” at a recent pop-up class, I had to unpack what actually makes dance biz owners successful.

Turns out, it’s not about being super motivated all the time (none of us are!). It’s about:

💥 Accountability that YOU own💥 Confidence built from doing the dang thing (and failing a few times along the way)💥 And three major traits I see in successful dance entrepreneurs:

* They’re not afraid to be judged.

* They track real data—not vanity metrics.

* They invest in themselves (even when it’s scary).

This is a no-fluff truth smack for any instructor trying to figure out why things aren’t growing. If you’re ready to level up your teaching and your biz, this one’s for you.

🎧 Tune in now, and let me know which trait you’re working on first.

🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online

🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach

When Curiosity Gets Replaced with Assumptions: A Personal Story

This episode is personal.

I recently traveled to Nashville to perform and teach—and walked away shaken. Not because of a low turnout (though, yeah, that happened too), but because of the wave of assumptions, judgment, and online hate that came my way... before I even stepped on stage.

Why? Simply because I’m Jewish. Because someone saw the word Zionist and made a snap decision without knowing me—or even what I was going to perform.

In this episode, I open up about:

* The backlash I received and how it unfolded

* Why the word “Zionist” is being misused and misunderstood

* How my host stood by me and modeled what true allyship looks like

* What it felt like to be walked out on—just for being who I am

* And why I’m still standing, still dancing, and still educating

I’m not looking for sympathy. I just want you to hear it.

Because maybe—just maybe—if more of us listen, ask questions, and stay curious… we can shift the conversation and move toward understanding.

🎧 Tune in. No need to comment. Just listen.

🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online

🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach

When Students Stop Showing Up: What to Do About Student Retention (Part 2)

So… your class numbers are dipping and you’re wondering what the hell happened?

In Part 2 of this honest convo on student retention, I’m diving deep into the external and internal reasons why students disappear—and exactly what you can do about it.

Here’s what we cover:

🎯 External stuff you can’t control (like seasonality, parking, admin changes… oh my!)—and how to work around them🎯 Internal stuff you can control—aka your teaching, delivery, and marketing🎯 The one thing most instructors never do (but should): ask for feedback🎯 Questions to check yourself before you blame your students🎯 Why it’s not always about you (but sometimes…it is)

If you’ve ever felt ghosted by students or panicked when your class size drops, this one’s your permission slip to pause, reflect, and pivot.

🎧 Tune in and let’s figure this out—together.

🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online

🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach

When the Back Row Speaks: Why Some Dance Workshops Fall Flat (and How to Fix Them)

I’m fired up in this episode—and for good reason.

After 25 years of teaching and mentoring instructors, I’ve sat in the back row of many workshops as a paying student. And let’s just say… not every experience has been inspiring. From instructors winging it with no prep, to sessions dragged down by poor time management, unclear cueing, or disengaged students—I’ve seen it all.

This episode is a truth smack for all of us in the teaching game. I’m diving into:

* The biggest mistakes I’ve seen dance teachers make (yes, even the “big names”)

* Red flags that students are lost—and how to actually see them

* Why finishing choreography shouldn't be the goal (yep, I said it)

* What conference producers should really be doing before hiring teachers

* And how to shift your teaching from “covering material” to creating impact

If you care about your students, your integrity, and the future of dance education—this one’s for you.

🎧 Tune in and let’s raise the bar—together.

🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online

🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach