In this first episode of a brand-new mini-series, Deborah welcomes back dance educator and choreographer Rosina Andrews to dive into the world of competitions. Together, they explore how to decide if competitions are right for your studio, what it really takes to get started, and how to prepare a year in advance. Rosina shares practical advice on choreography choices, time management, fees, and parent expectations, while Deborah highlights the importance of boundaries and communication. Whether you’re considering competitions for the first time or looking to restructure your current approach, this episode offers a realistic roadmap for dance school owners.

🔗 Learn more about Rosina Andrews and her game-changing dance training methods at rosinaandrews.co.uk

Thank you for listening. This show is brought to you by Dance Business Lab. 

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ https://calendly.com/dancebusinesslab... 

Dance Business Labs founder Deborah Laws is a multi-passionate dancepreneur, dance business expert and number one best selling author of The Ultimate Dance Business Planner. Deborah’s sole purpose is to help facilitate the personal journey and growth of dance business owners like you. Through Dance Business Lab membership and coaching programmes Deborah aims to empower you to learn more, implement new exciting strategies, create goals which Deborah will keep you accountable to and teach you leadership skills that will sky rocket your team and families to truly become your dream school. 

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/membersh...

Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/membersh...

Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/membersh...

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 podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

In this solo episode, Deborah reflects on an unexpected source of inspiration: a day of wine tasting in rural France. Visiting three very different vineyards highlighted the importance of first impressions, customer experience, and long-term loyalty — lessons that translate directly into the dance studio world.

She shares how small details can make or break the way families feel about your school, why creating programmes you love isn’t enough if they don’t meet parents’ needs, and how growing too fast without strong leadership can lead to problems. Deborah also explains why your most experienced teachers should work with your youngest students and why principals must remain visible as the face of their business.

With a practical challenge to use a “secret shopper” to experience your studio as parents do, this episode will get you thinking about how every stage of your customer journey shapes the future of your school.

Thank you for listening. This show is brought to you by Dance Business Lab. 

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ https://calendly.com/dancebusinesslab/30-minuteevolutioncall?month=2024-04 

Dance Business Labs founder Deborah Laws is a multi-passionate dancepreneur, dance business expert and number one best selling author of The Ultimate Dance Business Planner. Deborah’s sole purpose is to help facilitate the personal journey and growth of dance business owners like you. Through Dance Business Lab membership and coaching programmes Deborah aims to empower you to learn more, implement new exciting strategies, create goals which Deborah will keep you accountable to and teach you leadership skills that will sky rocket your team and families to truly become your dream school. 

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 podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ https://calendly.com/dancebusinesslab/30-minuteevolutioncall?month=2024-04 

In this episode of The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, Deborah Laws is joined by Tim Beynon, the powerhouse behind Elite—a flourishing martial arts and dance business operating across the southwest UK. Under the Elite umbrella, Tim directs several thriving companies, including Elite Ladies Kickboxing Ltd, Elite Juniors Kickboxing Ltd, Elite Ladies Dance Ltd, Elite Kit Ltd, and Elite Training Camps Ltd

From martial arts roots with students of all ages to cross-over into dance and women’s fitness, Tim has grown Elite to serve over 2,500 members. In recent years, he has scaled the operation through franchising—launching 17 successful franchise territories and even brought one of his students into the fold as an owner, all while maintaining the high standards and community culture Elite is known for.

In this conversation, Tim opens up about:

How he started with a martial arts base and expanded into multi-specialty Elite brands.

Why franchising became his preferred model over licensing.

The careful process of growing both students and future franchisees from within the Elite community.

His bold vision to scale to 100,000 members across various disciplines (kickboxing, dance, potentially yoga) across the UK by 2034.

The mindset shifts, mentorship structures, and leadership models that have enabled this scale and are fuelling future plans.

If you’re a studio owner wondering whether to franchise, have a great program you’d like to scale, or simply want insider tips on high-impact, heart-led business growth, this episode is packed with invaluable, actionable insight from someone who’s been there—and scaled it.

Thank you for listening. This show is brought to you by Dance Business Lab. 

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ https://calendly.com/dancebusinesslab/30-minuteevolutioncall?month=2024-04 

Dance Business Labs founder Deborah Laws is a multi-passionate dancepreneur, dance business expert and number one best selling author of The Ultimate Dance Business Planner. Deborah’s sole purpose is to help facilitate the personal journey and growth of dance business owners like you. Through Dance Business Lab membership and coaching programmes Deborah aims to empower you to learn more, implement new exciting strategies, create goals which Deborah will keep you accountable to and teach you leadership skills that will sky rocket your team and families to truly become your dream school. 

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 podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ https://calendly.com/dancebusinesslab/30-minuteevolutioncall?month=2024-04 

In this guest-hosted episode, studio owner Heather Buelow from Dancer’s Edge in Alberta, Canada, takes over the mic to share her approach to branding and merchandise. Over the past 20 years, Heather has built a strong identity around her studio—most recognisably through the colour purple—and has used that consistency to create a lasting impression in her community.

Heather talks through what branding really means beyond logos and colour palettes, including tone of voice, values, and customer experience. She also gets practical about merchandise—what sells, how to avoid getting stuck with boxes of unsold stock, and how great merch can help students and families feel part of something bigger.

If you're thinking about how to improve your studio’s branding or turn your merch into something people genuinely want to wear (and buy), Heather’s insights are well worth tuning in for.

Thank you for listening. This show is brought to you by Dance Business Lab. 

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ https://calendly.com/dancebusinesslab/30-minuteevolutioncall?month=2024-04 

Dance Business Labs founder Deborah Laws is a multi-passionate dancepreneur, dance business expert and number one best selling author of The Ultimate Dance Business Planner. Deborah’s sole purpose is to help facilitate the personal journey and growth of dance business owners like you. Through Dance Business Lab membership and coaching programmes Deborah aims to empower you to learn more, implement new exciting strategies, create goals which Deborah will keep you accountable to and teach you leadership skills that will sky rocket your team and families to truly become your dream school. 

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 podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ https://calendly.com/dancebusinesslab/30-minuteevolutioncall?month=2024-04 

Struggling to make your social media work for your dance studio? In this powerful episode, Deborah Laws is joined by social media strategist and former studio owner Sally Prendergast from Dance Studio Marketing. Together, they break down the secrets of social media success, reveal the biggest changes in paid ads (including how AI now drives targeting), and explain why organic engagement is far from dead.

From rainbow marketing to customer lifetime value, Sally shares her expert insight on how to make your content stand out, how much budget you really need, and what kind of content converts followers into paying students.

If you've ever felt lost in the world of Meta Ads, struggled with low engagement, or simply don’t know where to start—this is your go-to guide.

Deborah & Sally cover:

Why mindset is the key to marketing success

How much time you should spend on marketing

Organic strategies that still work in 2025

How AI has changed Meta ads—and what to do about it

What makes great ad visuals vs. what you might think is great

Testing, data, and finding what actually works

Practical ways to increase engagement on a tight budget

Why your business page looks like a ghost town—and how to fix it

Whether you're ready to outsource your ads or go DIY with confidence, this episode is packed with actionable advice.

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

Thank you for listening. This show is brought to you by Dance Business Lab. 

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ https://calendly.com/dancebusinesslab/30-minuteevolutioncall?month=2024-04 

Dance Business Labs founder Deborah Laws is a multi-passionate dancepreneur, dance business expert and number one best selling author of The Ultimate Dance Business Planner. Deborah’s sole purpose is to help facilitate the personal journey and growth of dance business owners like you. Through Dance Business Lab membership and coaching programmes Deborah aims to empower you to learn more, implement new exciting strategies, create goals which Deborah will keep you accountable to and teach you leadership skills that will sky rocket your team and families to truly become your dream school. 

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 podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

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

How do you turn a good experience into a truly unforgettable one? In this solo episode, Deborah Laws dives into the magic of “surprise and delight” in your dance studio. From first trial classes to milestone celebrations, Deborah shares dozens of practical ideas to help you create WOW moments that boost retention, build loyalty, and drive word-of-mouth referrals. Whether it's a thoughtful video message, a simple gift, or a personalised check-in, these small touches can have a big impact. Tune in and discover how to take your student experience from average to extraordinary.

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

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

In this episode of The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, Deborah Laws welcomes back education marketing expert Cerys Keneally, who shares how dance school owners can build long-term, impactful relationships with schools and nurseries.

If you’ve ever tried offering a free workshop and heard nothing back, this episode explains why—and what to do instead. Cerys outlines exactly how to get your foot in the door, connect your dance offering to school priorities, and retain both schools and students term after term.

You’ll learn:

What headteachers and nursery managers really want in 2025

Two effective models for getting paid in schools

Why “free” doesn’t cut it (and what does)

How to build credibility and stability for your studio through schools

The top mistakes to avoid when reaching out

Connect with Cerys Keneally:

 https://www.ceryskeneally.com

Facebook group: “Approaching Schools and Nurseries with Cerys Keneally”

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 guest-hosted episode of The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, Heather Buelow—owner of Dancer’s Edge in Alberta, Canada—dives deep into one of the most powerful tools for building loyalty and community in your studio: the parent & tot class.

Heather shares why these early-entry classes are far more than just cute bonding moments. They’re a critical first impression for families, a foundation for student retention, and a brilliant way to grow your studio from the ground up.

Whether you already run baby and toddler dance classes or you're wondering how to get started, Heather offers practical tips, scheduling advice, and even a sample lesson plan to help you make these classes a hit.

Perfect for studio owners, dance educators, and anyone passionate about early childhood dance education.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.

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

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

In this episode, Deborah sits down with the inspiring Emma Bright, founder of Embody Dance and the creator of the Future Dance Teachers program. Emma shares her journey from dance teacher and studio owner to award-winning entrepreneur, stepping back from teaching to focus on building a national training program for young dance leaders.

They discuss how Emma designed a structured, accredited pathway to train and mentor student assistants, how the program transformed her school, and how she turned a personal studio solution into a thriving business now running in studios across the UK.

Whether you dream of scaling your dance studio, creating additional income streams, or stepping into a new chapter of your business, Emma’s story will motivate you to take action.

🌟 Ready to be inspired? Tune in and discover how YOU can grow your dance business and legacy.

Find out more about Embody at https://www.embodydance.co.uk/award-winning-school/

Find out more about Future Dance Teachers at https://www.embodydance.co.uk/future-dance-teachers/

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

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

In this solo episode, I share how a recent post by Richard Branson got me thinking—about innovation, about courage, and about what it means to be the first to do something truly different. It inspired me to bring this conversation to you because I believe there’s something out there that you, as a dance studio owner, might just be the one to create or change.

I want to challenge you to reflect on our industry: what’s missing, what could be better, and what idea is sitting quietly in your imagination, waiting for you to be brave enough to bring it to life. Whether it’s a fresh approach to exams, a new way of serving your students, or something that’s never existed before—I’ll help you explore that spark.

I also open up about my own version of “Virgin Atlantic”—a brand-new project I’ve been working on behind the scenes that I believe could be game-changing for our community.

This is an episode about vision, belief, and acting on those little whispers that could lead to something amazing. Let’s find out what yours might be.

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