In this revealing episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with Inner Circle mentor and veteran studio owner Sharon Uyar to unpack the real reason so many hiring processes fail and what to do about it.

With 1,200 students, 45+ staff, and over two decades of experience, Sharon knows firsthand that finding great people isn’t just about posting a job ad. It’s about how you lead from day one.

Together, Olivia and Sharon react to a powerful clip from hiring expert Corey Otten and break down exactly what makes applicants say “yes” to your studio and stay for the long run. You’ll hear personal stories, practical systems, and culture-building strategies that will help you stop scrambling for staff and start building a loyal, thriving team.

Whether you’re hiring your first teacher or managing a large staff, this conversation will help you shift from a “just fill the spot” mindset to one that attracts, develops, and keeps the right people.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why the biggest hiring problem might not be your applicants — it might be you

• How to make candidates want to work for you as much as you want them on your team

• Simple systems to streamline interview scheduling and follow-up

• The onboarding process that turns hesitant hires into loyal team members

• Why corporate or non-dance applicants can become some of your best hires

• How to build a “pipeline” of future staff from your current students

• The mindset shift that helps you let go of control and trust your team

• How to prepare your hiring tools before you actually need them

• The leadership traits that keep great people from leaving

• Sharon’s personal onboarding story and the lesson it taught her about culture

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In this raw and revealing episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater is joined by Inner Circle mentor Sharon Uyar and Inner Circle Growth Coach Annie Leese to answer your biggest hiring and retention questions. 

From past hiring mistakes to evolving leadership styles, these three seasoned studio pros dig into what actually works (and what definitely doesn’t) when it comes to building a team that carries the mission with you. 

Whether you're hiring your first teacher or leading a 40-person team, this episode will challenge you to think differently about culture, accountability, onboarding—and why that "perfect fit" might still need more training than you think. 

You’ll hear: 

• How hiring based on values beats hiring based on skills 

• The team-damaging mistake Olivia kept repeating—and what finally stopped it 

• Why some of your best hires might still take a full year to onboard 

• How to coach high-achieving team members without burning them out 

• The real reason your "quietest" staff member might be your biggest red flag 

• Creative strategies for hiring in tough markets or rural areas 

• Why collaboration and communication matter more than perfection  

If you’re tired of doing it all and ready to build a team that grows with you—not just works for you—this episode is your next step. 

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What do vet clinics know about team building that dance studios don’t? 

In this eye-opening solo episode, Olivia Mode-Cater pulls surprising (and heartwarming) lessons from the veterinary world to help studio owners build stronger, more loyal teams.  

Spoiler: it's not just about pay or perks. 

It's about purpose, training, and culture. 

You’ll learn: 

• Why hiring for values (not just skills) leads to long-term team retention 

• How to create a 30/60/90 onboarding plan that actually prevents burnout 

• What cross-training really looks like (and why it builds trust and freedom) 

• The small, everyday rituals that turn your studio into a place people want to stay 

If you’ve ever felt like your team is one unexpected job offer away from walking out, this episode will give you tangible tools to shift from turnover to loyalty.  

Because just like in the vet world, your studio should be a place where people come for more than just a paycheck. 

Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!

In this powerful response to a message from an Inner Circle training with Sean Gaffney, Heather and Olivia unpack what’s really going on when your marketing feels like it’s falling flat. This episode isn’t about hacks or trends—it’s about what happens when you’re showing up online, but still not seeing results.

You’ll learn:

- Why visibility without connection won’t convert

- What to do when your content feels like it’s not landing

- How to shift your mindset from self-promotion to service

- The subtle difference between being seen and being felt

If you’ve ever asked, “Why am I doing all this and still not getting enrollments?”—this episode offers the clarity and shift you need to reframe your marketing from the inside out.

Marketing isn’t just about strategy—it’s about capacity. In this honest Q&A panel, Heather, Nadine, and Olivia talk about what’s really stopping studio owners from showing up consistently: it’s not a lack of desire, it’s the mental load of doing it all.

You’ll hear:

- Why feeling overwhelmed makes it harder to market (and what to do instead)

- The real reason so many studio owners procrastinate delegation

- How to rebuild marketing momentum without needing more time or energy

- What to prioritize when you don’t know where to start

If you’ve ever opened Instagram, stared at your to-do list, and thought, “I just can’t today”—this episode will help you find your way back into confident, consistent action.

What if everything you’ve been told about marketing is outdated? In this short solo episode, Olivia breaks down a powerful new metric that’s changing how studio owners think about enrollment: time on trust. Instead of chasing likes and followers, what if you focused on creating 47 minutes of bingeable, emotional content?

You’ll learn:

- Why polished, perfect content isn’t converting

- How to build “content series” that hook your audience

- The 3 big marketing mistakes studio owners are still making

- Simple strategies to turn your feed into a binge-worthy experience

This episode is your permission to stop performing for the algorithm and start creating content that connects. If you’re ready to rewire your studio’s marketing approach and boost enrollment faster, hit play.

In this powerful and personal episode, Olivia is joined by Cara Moeller Poppitt—Inner Circle studio growth coach, founder of two award-winning companies, top 5% podcast host, and author of the new book *Big Freaking Change*. Cara shares why so many dance studio owners feel stuck—and reveals the science behind why waiting until you’re “ready” is actually keeping you from the growth you deserve.

You’ll hear about her 8-step Cycle of Change model, the myth of confidence, and how to reclaim momentum in both life and business. If you’ve ever second-guessed your next move or felt like you had to do it all perfectly—this conversation will shift everything.

Ready or not… this episode will inspire you to take bold action.

Studio owners, this one’s for the do-it-all leaders running on fumes. If you’ve ever felt like the pilot, the crew, the mechanic, and the air traffic control of your business — all at once — it’s time to rethink your flight plan.

In this episode, we’re borrowing wisdom from the skies to bring you aviation-grade self-care. You’ll learn:

- Why flying solo isn’t sustainable (and what it’s really costing you)

- What a “co-pilot” looks like inside your studio

- How to use checklists as one of the most powerful leadership tools

- Why rest isn’t optional — it’s regulation

If you’re ready to lead smarter, not harder, tune in. Because the view at 35,000 feet is only worth it if you arrive in one piece.

DM us or tag us @dancestudioownersassociation to tell us:

- Who your co-pilot is (or who you wish it was)?

- The first checklist you're committing to build this week

Let’s build aviation-grade leadership, together.

In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, we’re taking you behind the scenes for a powerful Inner Circle conversation with studio owner and mentor Kelli Leighton.

Together, we explore what happens when you shift your mindset from survival mode to service-driven leadership. Inspired by executive coach Craig Burns, this episode dives into the emotional patterns, limiting beliefs, and default narratives that can hold dance studio owners back—from growth, from rest, and from the financial success they deserve.

Kelli opens up about:

- How she learned to stop taking feedback personally

- Letting go of the “hustle = worth” mentality

- Reframing help at home as a form of support, not failure

- What it really means to run a real business in the dance world

- Why it’s time to stop apologizing for wanting sustainability and success

If you’ve ever felt like you're carrying the weight of your studio on your back, this episode will remind you: You’re not alone—and you’re allowed to thrive.

👉 Continue the conversation in our free Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/theDSOA

What’s really keeping studio owners up at night? In this first-of-its-kind episode, we’re handing the mic over to Inner Circle mentors Kelli Leighton and Loren Specht to tackle the raw, real, and relatable questions from studio owners just like you.

From building teams and stepping out of the classroom to shifting your mindset and revamping your curriculum—nothing’s off-limits in this unfiltered conversation. Whether you're a brand-new studio owner or a seasoned vet navigating growth, you’ll walk away with powerful insights on:

- Why mindset is 80% of the work

- How to stop overworking and start leading with intention

- What truly drives retention in today’s dance landscape

- How to serve both high and low commitment families without losing your mission

👉 Continue the conversation and get your questions answered inside our free DSOA Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/theDSOA