Transform My Dance Studio – The Podcast For Dance Studio Owners

In this high-impact episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with Inner Circle coach and veteran studio owner Paige Sayegh, who has mastered the art of student retention at scale. With 715 students and a thriving culture built over 31 years, Paige reveals the exact systems, touchpoints, and community-building strategies that keep families coming back year after year.

From surveys that actually get answered to the small details that make every child feel seen, Paige proves that retention isn't luck—it's intentional. If you've ever blamed drop-offs on cost or scheduling, this episode will challenge you to look deeper and rethink how you connect with students, parents, and staff.

You'll hear:

• The surprising (and subtle) reasons students really leave dance studios

• Why belonging and transformation matter more than pricing or scheduling

• How to design a customer journey that keeps families engaged for years

• Paige's "breadcrumb strategy" that ensures students always have a next step

• Real examples of community events that build loyalty outside the studio walls

• How to engage your staff so retention becomes everyone's responsibility

• The bold program shifts that stopped enrollment drop-offs in their tracks

• Why today's families crave "quick wins" and how to deliver them without sacrificing quality

• Paige's #1 bold move every studio owner should take if retention is struggling

If you're ready to stop crossing your fingers at re-enrollment time and start building a culture of loyalty, this episode is your playbook for retention that lasts.

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Behind every great studio is a story of transformation and this podcast is here to help you write yours.

But The Transform My Dance Studio Podcast is also stepping into its own transformation.

In this new chapter, we're thrilled to officially welcome Olivia Mode-Cater as your host.

Olivia goes beyond business tips to bring you the tools, stories, and inspiration that help studio owners not only grow their businesses, but also experience more joy, freedom, and fulfillment in their studio lives.

This is your invitation to want more, to do more, and to become more, in and out of the studio.

Join host Olivia Mode-Cater, CEO of the Dance Studio Owners Association, as she shares unfiltered conversations, expert insights, and powerful strategies to help you grow your studio without losing the magic.

Whether you're dreaming of opening your first studio or scaling an empire, this podcast is your lifeline for leadership, clarity, and community.

Ready to transform? Tune in every Monday!

We have also saved you a seat in our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!

In this powerful episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with Joey Coleman, best-selling author of Never Lose an Employee Again, to unpack how dance studio owners can transform their staff retention strategy. From the shocking reality that 4% of new hires quit after just one day to the real #1 reason employees leave (hint: it's not money), Joey shares actionable tactics to create a workplace where your team doesn't just stay, they will thrive.

You'll walk away with practical strategies for building connection, designing intentional onboarding, fostering culture, and reigniting passion in your employees and yourself.

In this episode you will learn:

• Why the first 100 days are the most critical for employee retention.

• The surprising statistics behind why people really quit — and how to prevent it.

• How to connect deeply with part-time staff and make them feel valued.

• The difference between orientation and true onboarding (and why it matters).

• How to use the "Four Rs" framework — Role, Responsibilities, Requirements, Relationships.

• The power of building friendships at work for long-term retention.

• Low-cost, high-impact ways to create team bonding and culture.

• Why celebrating progress is as important as tracking performance.

• How to reframe leadership from "have to" into "get to."

• The concept of "spark appointments" to reignite passion for your work.

Joey Coleman is an award-winning speaker and author who has spent nearly 20 years helping organizations worldwide turn customers and employees into raving fans. Known for his engaging keynotes and actionable strategies, he's shared the stage with top business leaders and bestselling authors. Joey is the author of the #2 Wall Street Journal bestseller Never Lose a Customer Again and Never Lose an Employee Again.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.