Transform My Dance Studio – The Podcast For Dance Studio Owners

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

Are you constantly pushing, hustling, and burning out—just to prove you're doing enough? In this powerful episode, we're breaking down the lie that your value is tied to how hard you work. Discover why mindset is truly 80% of the work when it comes to leading your studio with purpose, clarity, and confidence.

You'll walk away with a renewed perspective on success, rest, and what it really means to show up for your studio—and yourself.

Want to keep the conversation going? Join hundreds of dance studio owners in our free community: facebook.com/groups/theDSOA

After a 5-year break, the Dance Teacher Summit is back — and bigger than ever! Chantel Feola joins us to share what's new, what's returning, and why this year's event is a must for studio owners and teachers. From iconic faculty and business trainings to app-powered networking and the return of the ACE Awards, you'll get the inside scoop on how to make the most of your trip (and bring your team or family, too!).

🎟️ Register now at DanceTeacherSummit.com and use code DSOA100 for $100 off.

Today's studio families want more than just great classes — they want to see growth and feel the progress.

In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Inner Circle Growth Coach Annie Leese reveals:

- How strategic use of simple class videos can dramatically boost loyalty and re-enrollment

- Easy ways to highlight student achievements without turning into a full-time content creator

- How to use video to celebrate growth, strengthen parent trust, and build a studio culture students never want to leave

Crucial tips for privacy, permission, and staying legally protected when using student videos

Whether you are trying to keep more students after recital season or build a stronger studio brand, this episode will help you leverage video as one of your most powerful and underused retention tools.

Plus, join our free Facebook group for studio owners for even more templates, strategies, and real-time examples: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theDSOA

Getting students through the door is just the first step — real growth comes from keeping them excited, motivated, and emotionally connected to your studio week after week.

In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Inner Circle Growth Coach Annie Leese shares:

- Why loyalty and retention are built in the small, daily moments — not just big performances

- 5 simple, interactive tech tools you can use to boost connection without adding hours to your schedule

- How gamification, feedback apps, and social media recognition can turn your classes into a highlight of your dancers' week

Why retention — not just attraction — is the real measure of studio growth

If you're ready to simplify your engagement systems, build loyalty faster, and stop fighting enrollment turnover every season, this one's for you.

Plus: Want real examples, templates, and tools you can plug into your studio today? Join our free Dance Studio Owners Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/theDSOA

What starts as a simple across-the-floor jazz outline… ends up in a 2 a.m. TikTok spiral. We've all been there. This week on the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, we're breaking the cycle of burnout planning and giving you the ultimate shortcut to smarter, faster lesson design.

Join Inner Circle Studio Growth Coach, Annie Leese, as she shares:

- Her real-world tech workflow for building 30 weeks of lessons in minutes

- How to use ChatGPT and your studio's core values to generate meaningful class content

- Systems that help your teachers stay creative without starting from scratch every week

- Why "record what you're already doing" is your new favorite strategy

This isn't about working harder — it's about working smarter with the tools already at your fingertips. Want more tools like this every week? Join us inside the free DSOA Studio Owners Facebook Group: facebook/com/groups/theDSOA

Are you buried under endless admin tasks — chasing down attendance, payments, and scheduling issues — instead of focusing on what really matters in your studio?

In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Inner Circle Growth Coach Annie Leese shares:

- 5 simple tech tools to streamline your class management, registration, and communication

- How to save hours of time each week (without hiring more staff)

- Practical ways to set up automations for class reminders, payments, and team communication

The truth about tech overwhelm — and why you only need one or two smart tools to see massive results

Ready to feel like a CEO again instead of your studio's admin assistant? This episode will show you exactly where to start. Plus: Get access to real studio templates, tool kits, and daily tips inside our free Dance Studio Owners Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/theDSOA

If you've ever walked away from recital week with nothing but exhaustion and a camera roll full of blurry stage lights… this episode is for you.

Social media expert Jeanne-Marie Branche joins us to share the exact system she created for studio owners who want to turn recital into their biggest marketing moment of the year. No stress. No crew. No Canva meltdowns.

We dive into:

What types of recital content actually convert

How to capture emotion, transformation, and trust on camera

The secret to building a year's worth of content in just one week

And why "done is better than perfect" when it comes to social media

Whether you're a studio content pro or feel like you're always playing catch-up online, this episode will show you how to work smarter, not harder — and grow enrollment while you're at it.

🎧 Don't forget to join our free Facebook group for studio owners: facebook.com/groups/theDSOA