The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast

What does it take to build a successful performing arts school in another country?

Cameron Hall is the founder of Baila con Cameron, a performing arts school based in Valencia, Spain. What started with an adult jazz class attended by 35 people has grown into a community of almost 400 students from 25 different countries.

In this episode of the Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, Cameron talks to Deborah Laws about his journey from performer and West End choreographer to running his own performing arts school and entertainment production company in Spain.

He shares how Baila con Cameron grew during lockdown, why outdoor classes became an important part of the school's identity, and how he went from renting a small studio to creating a much larger space with multiple studios, a theatre space, music rooms and more.

Cameron also talks about bringing British-style pantomime to Valencia. Now in its fifth year, his productions have sold out every year and attract audiences from across the region, including people travelling more than two hours to attend.

But perhaps the biggest lesson from Cameron's approach is his philosophy towards running a dance school.

“I don’t run a performing arts school. I run a community.”

For Cameron, Baila con Cameron is about creating somewhere people can make friends, build confidence, achieve things and feel that they belong. He explains why he thinks about what students can do together rather than simply focusing on retention, and why the experience someone takes away from a class can be more important than technical perfection.

There is also plenty to take from Cameron's approach to social media. He talks about why dance schools need to stop making social media for themselves, why perfect photos and graphics aren't necessarily what people care about, and why showing more of the real person behind the school can make such a difference.

Cameron Hall is the founder of Baila con Cameron and also works as a performer, choreographer and entertainment producer in Valencia. Alongside his work with the school, he performs as Dame Dolly.

Find out more about Baila con Cameron at https://bailaconcameron.com

Find Baila con Cameron on social media at:

 https://www.instagram.com/bailaconcameron

https://www.facebook.com/bailaconcameron/

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-plan

To find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠

To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.

Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ 

Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠

This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.

You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠

This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

Does your dance studio seem to take over more and more of your life as your business grows?

In this episode of the Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, Deborah Laws talks about how dance studio owners can start taking back control of their time and create a better work-life balance.

As your dance school grows, it can be incredibly easy for the business to become the priority for everything. Family time, time with friends, self-care and even the things you personally want to achieve can end up being squeezed around the studio.

Deborah explains how to reverse that pattern by deciding what you actually want your life to look like and then using future blocking to make it happen.

You'll discover:

• Why your dance studio can gradually start running your life

• How to decide what time you feel you deserve for yourself, your family and your relationships

• What future blocking is and how to use it

• Why blocking out time months in advance can make it much easier to protect

• How Deborah managed to find around 10 hours a week for 18 months while running five dance schools, with more than 900 students and 24 team members

• Why delegating and reorganising your business can create the space you need• How protecting your time can actually make you more organised and productive

• Why the time you create for yourself can disappear again if you don't continue to protect it

If you run a dance school or performing arts business and feel like you're constantly fitting your life around your studio, this episode is about changing that.

The goal isn't simply to find more hours in the day. It's about deciding what matters to you and building your business around the life you want to have.

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-plan

To find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠

To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.

Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ 

Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠

This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.

You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠

This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

In this episode of The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, Deborah Laws interviews Gary Edwards, CEO and partner of Arthur Murray International, to discuss building a successful dance business while staying true to your passion for dance.

Gary shares his journey from starting dance at seven in Romford, Essex, to leading a major dance organisation.

Deborah and Gary explore why dance studio owners should embrace their business identity, how partner dancing skills translate to business, and the importance of marketing, networking, and community for all dance schools.

Gary explains why he considers the studio owner the first ‘product’ of a dance business, the significance of creating a welcoming environment, and how successful studios can become destinations.

They also discuss the broader impact of dance studios on people’s lives, from fostering community and improving well-being to supporting individuals through challenging times.

Gary shares his efforts to create better career pathways for dancers, including a partnership with the University of North Florida offering a health, wellness, dance, and business degree.

Gary’s message is clear: don’t underestimate the impact you can have as a dance business owner. Dance businesses aren’t just selling lessons; they’re creating experiences, community, confidence, connection, and happiness.

Find out more about Arthur Murray International at https://www.arthurmurray.com

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-plan

To find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠

To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.

Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ 

Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠

This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.

You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠

This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

How many trial bookings do you normally get when your new academic year begins? And what would happen if you challenged yourself to double that number?

In this episode of the Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, Deborah Laws explores what it really takes to attract more students to your dance school and why your results are often directly connected to the amount of thought, time and energy you put into your marketing.

Rather than relying on a last-minute flurry of Facebook posts, flyers or ads, Deborah looks at the importance of having a proper dance studio marketing strategy in place well before your new term begins.

Deborah takes you through how to:

Create a planned marketing campaign to attract new dance students

Use previous results to improve your marketing each year

Test different versions of your adverts, flyers and content

Understand why one marketing approach can work brilliantly one time and fail another

Use split testing to discover what actually attracts enquiries

Set yourself a challenging but achievable target for new trial bookings

Think differently about the amount of effort you're prepared to put into growing your dance school

Ultimately, getting more dance students isn't about hoping that enquiries arrive. It's about making a conscious decision about what you want, creating a strategy to achieve it, and being prepared to put the work in.

So, what would you really love your next academic year to look like and what are you prepared to do to make it happen?
Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-plan

To find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠

To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.

Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ 

Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠

This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.

You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠

This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

What if the biggest thing holding your dance studio back isn't your marketing, pricing or timetable...but your mindset?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, Deborah Laws is joined by transformation coach Gemma Gilmour for a conversation that goes far beyond business strategy. Together, they explore identity, limiting beliefs, confidence, fear, neuroplasticity and why so many dance studio owners unknowingly hold themselves back from the success they truly want.

Whether you're struggling to let go of teaching, finding delegation difficult, questioning your next chapter, or simply feeling stuck, this episode will challenge the way you think about yourself and your business.

You'll discover why courage matters more than confidence, how to retrain your brain for success, and practical mindset exercises you can start using today.

Find out more about Gemma's work at https://www.gemmagilmour.com

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-plan

To find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠

To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.

Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ 

Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠

This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.

You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠

This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

Want more students taking multiple classes and staying at your dance studio for years?

In this episode, guest host Heather Buelow shares practical strategies to increase multi-class enrolment, improve retention and create a studio community that keeps families engaged for the long term.

Discover how smarter scheduling, stronger community-building, staff training and strategic promotions can help you grow your studio without constantly chasing new enrolments.

If you're a dance studio owner looking to improve retention, increase revenue and create a stronger studio culture, this episode is packed with actionable ideas you can implement right away.

Topics covered:

Multi-class enrolment strategies

Dance studio retention

Building studio community

Dance studio scheduling tips

Teacher-led enrolment conversations

Family-friendly studio systems

Revenue growth strategies

Dance studio marketing and retention

Subscribe for more dance studio business advice, marketing strategies and growth tips.

In this episode of the Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, Deborah Laws is joined by Hannah Hannon, founder of HVA, to discuss one of the most overlooked areas of running a successful dance school: business systems and operations.

As a former performer turned business strategist, Hannah understands the unique challenges creative business owners face. Together, Deborah and Hannah explore why so many dance studio owners struggle with systems, automation and administration, and why embracing your role as a business owner is essential for sustainable growth.

The conversation covers practical ways to improve efficiency, manage enquiries, strengthen financial processes and build the foundations that allow your studio to grow without creating more overwhelm.

Whether you're running a small dance school or managing multiple locations, this episode will help you identify the systems that matter most and the mindset shifts needed to move your business forward.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the operational side of running your studio, this episode offers practical advice and reassurance that you don't need to do everything alone.

Subscribe for more dance business, leadership, and entrepreneurship content.

Find out more about Hannah's work at https://hva-ents.co.uk

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-plan

To find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠

To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.

Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ 

Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠

This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.

You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠

This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

The dance industry is changing faster than ever. With advances in AI, automation and technology transforming the way businesses operate, what will successful dance schools look like in five years' time?

In this solo episode, Deborah shares her predictions for the future of dance studio ownership and highlights the key areas studio owners should be focusing on right now to stay ahead of the curve.

From automated systems and AI-powered marketing to building an unbeatable reputation and improving student retention, this episode explores the trends that could define the next generation of thriving dance schools.

Deborah also discusses why, despite rapid technological change, the future remains incredibly bright for dance studios as parents increasingly seek meaningful, real-world experiences for their children away from screens.

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-plan

To find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠

To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.

Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ 

Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠

This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.

You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠

This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

In this episode of the Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, Deborah Laws is joined by branding expert and Creative Sass founder JoJo Smith to discuss the mindset, confidence, and self-awareness needed to build a successful business and a lasting brand.

JoJo explains why most business owners focus on the wrong aspects of branding, how limiting beliefs hold entrepreneurs back, and why building a business starts with understanding yourself first.

Whether you're a dance school owner, performing arts entrepreneur, or small business owner, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons on leadership, confidence, vision, and growth.

Subscribe for more dance business, leadership, and entrepreneurship content.

Find out more about Jo Jo's work at https://www.creativsas.co.uk

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-plan

To find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠

To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.

Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ 

Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠

This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.

You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠

This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

In this episode of the Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, we’re talking about one of the biggest hidden issues holding dance schools and performing arts businesses back: being too nice.

If you’re a people pleaser, avoid confrontation, struggle with late payments, over-give to parents and students, or constantly feel emotionally drained from trying to keep everyone happy, this episode is for you.

Deborah explores the difference between being kind and being unclear, and why strong leadership, clear boundaries, and professional standards are essential if you want your dance school to grow and thrive.

You’ll hear practical examples of how being overly flexible can lead to lost revenue, weak boundaries, parent pushback, team issues, burnout, and resentment, plus simple ways to start tightening up your systems without becoming harsh or unkind.

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-plan

To find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠

To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.

Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ 

Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠

This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.

You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠

This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio