What happens when you stop thinking of your dance school as just a dance school?

In this episode of The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, I’m joined by Debbie Elwell, dance studio owner, entrepreneur, and the driving force behind Showtime Future Stars.

Debbie’s journey is anything but typical. From launching a children’s party company that delivered over 10,000 events, to building a thriving dance school, to now producing large-scale performance opportunities in venues like the West End and Blackpool Tower Ballroom, she’s constantly evolving, growing, and asking “what’s next?”

Find out more about Showtime Future Stars at https://showtimefuturestars.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

Owning your own dance studio is often seen as the ultimate goal.

Your own space. Your own timetable. Your own rules.

But is it always the right move?

In this episode, we’re diving into the pros and cons of owning or leasing your own premises versus hiring venues. It’s a topic that comes up time and time again for dance school owners, especially here in the UK where dedicated studio spaces can be harder to access.

Deborah shares her personal experience of running five branches across multiple locations, managing up to 18 hired venues each month, and eventually moving into her own long term studio space. She also speaks openly about the challenges that came with that decision and why, at one point, stepping away from her own premises was the right choice.

Inside this episode, we cover:

What to consider before taking on your own premises
The hidden costs that many studio owners overlook
The real benefits of having your own space
The challenges of hiring venues and managing multiple locations
How to know if your business is financially ready

Whether you’re currently hiring spaces, actively searching for your own studio, or simply weighing up your options, this episode will give you a realistic and honest perspective to help guide your decision.

As always, the key is doing your research, understanding your numbers, and making the choice that supports both your business and your life.

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 latest episode of The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast Deborah sits down for a chat with studio owner Sarah Clements, who shares her entrepreneurial journey and how she built Unlimited Dance Company into the successful business it is today.

As always this is essential listening for any dance school owner or principal.

In the vast majority of cases parents of prospective students have already researched your dance school before reaching out. When they finally reach out they are looking to confirm whether their perception of your school is the reality. How you respond will let them know!

Catch the latest episode of The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast out now wherever you get podcasts. 

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

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

In this latest episode of The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast Deborah tackles the subject of social media and what it is REALLY for when it comes to your dance school's marketing strategy.

If your marketing consists of social media posts and not a huge amount more than this episode is for you!

As always this is essential listening for any dance school owner or principal.

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 passionate Amy Pryor, principal of Amy Greaves School of Dance. With nearly 20 years of experience as a studio owner, Amy joins the show to discuss a topic that has become a major talking point in the industry: true inclusivity.

They dive deep into moving beyond "inclusivity" as a marketing buzzword and instead making it a core, lived value within your studio. Amy shares her personal and professional insights on how to adapt your environment for children with special educational needs (SEN), ADHD, and autism, ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and valued as an individual.

Whether you want to improve your student retention, strengthen your communication with parents, or better support your teaching team in managing diverse needs, Amy’s practical tips and empathetic approach will give you the tools to create a truly safe and welcoming space for every dancer.

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

Find out more about Amy Greaves School of Dance at http://www.amygreavesschoolofdance.com

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 The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, Deborah tackles one of the hardest decisions dance school owners face: keeping low-attendance classes on the timetable.

We all know the feeling. A handful of students love the class. It might be the highlight of their week. Cancelling feels personal. But when emotion leads the decision-making, your business often pays the price.

Deborah breaks down the real cost of running underperforming classes, why “it all balances out” rarely works, and how profitable classes end up subsidising loss-making ones. She walks through practical numbers, common scenarios, and a real-life example where cutting multiple red-flag classes resulted in more profit, retained students, and even a full night off.

This episode is about stepping out of guilt-driven decisions and into clear, grounded leadership. Your students are customers, not family, and your business needs to work for you too.

If you are working long hours, covering all your costs, but still taking home very little, this episode may explain why.

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 

If your dance school relies on you remembering everything, chasing every enquiry, and holding the admin together, growth gets exhausting fast. In this episode, Deborah Laws is joined by business systems and process coach Leon Bubenicek to unpack a simple truth that changes how you run your studio:

If you don’t have systems, you are the system.

You’ll learn why most studios don’t actually have a lead problem, they have a follow-up problem. Leon breaks down what “systems” really mean (it’s not just tech), how to stop enquiries disappearing, and how to build a reliable process that improves the parent experience while reducing the pressure on you and your team.

In this conversation, we cover:

• What a system is (and why it’s not the same as software)
• The real reason parents “ghost” after enquiring
• How to follow up without sounding pushy
• Why automation can feel more personal, not less
• A simple re-engagement message that can revive old enquiries
• How to scale your studio without adding more admin or burning out

If you want a dance studio that runs smoothly even when you’re teaching, away, or taking time off, this episode is for you.

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

Running a dance studio shouldn’t feel like constant firefighting — but without a clear plan, that’s exactly where many studio owners end up.

In this episode, I walk you through how to plan your entire dance studio year with intention, balance, and clarity. Whether your year starts in January, September, or any other point, this episode helps you step back and design a calendar that supports both business growth and personal wellbeing.

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

In this episode, we take a deep dive into one of the most overlooked areas of dance school growth: what happens next. From enquiries and follow-ups to exams, payments, uniforms and missed deadlines, this conversation explores how strong studios think in clear cause-and-effect systems rather than vague intentions.

Using the simple but powerful idea of “if this happens, then this is what we do”, you will learn how to map your processes properly, identify the cracks where students fall through, and build systems that protect your time, your income, and your long-term student retention.

This episode is especially valuable if you feel like your processes live mostly in your head, if you regularly lose track of enquiries, or if you know your studio could run more smoothly but are not sure where to start. We also talk honestly about automation, software, and when it makes sense to build systems yourself versus getting support.

If you want fewer missed opportunities, clearer workflows for your team, and more lifelong students, this is an episode you will want to listen to more than once.

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

What are people really saying about your studio when you are not in the room?

In this episode, Deborah is joined by studio owner and culture super fan Heather Buelow to unpack what studio culture actually is and why it matters so much for retention, reputation and your own wellbeing as a dance business owner. Heather breaks down how core values, energy, traditions and everyday behaviours all work together to create the feel of your studio and the stories families tell about you.

You will hear practical ways to define your core values, involve your team in creating and living them, and weave them into staff training, events, emails and the student experience. Deborah and Heather also tackle people pleasing, “bad apple” families, staff who are not aligned, and why clear boundaries protect both your culture and your sanity.

Finally, they explore legacy. When you step away or sell your school, what do you really want to be remembered for? It is rarely the exam results or the turnover. It is the values your dancers felt and the traditions that lived on. If you are ready to turn your studio into a place that feels like home for the right families, this conversation will give you plenty to work with.

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/sparks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahLThis podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio