How I run a 50-Year Dance Studio — What I'd Tell Every Woman Starting Over
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When people hear that Neighborhood School of Dance is celebrating its 50th season, they often assume I've been running it for decades.
The truth is, while the studio has been part of our community for 50 years, I've only been at the helm for the last 13.
And if I'm being completely honest, there were seasons I wasn't sure we'd make it.
There were moments when the bank account looked scary. Moments when I questioned whether I was the right person for the job. Moments when I felt like everyone else had figured out how to run a business except me.
But here we are.
Fifty years.
Thousands of dancers.
Hundreds of families.
Countless memories.
And a future that's bigger than I ever imagined.
If you're searching for how to start a dance studio business, I want to give you something different than another article about business plans and marketing strategies.
I want to tell you the truth about what it actually takes to build something that lasts.
Why I Started
Neighborhood School of Dance was already an established studio when I took ownership.
I grew up here.
I was one of the little girls wearing tights that never stayed up, carrying a dance bag bigger than I was.
Dance was home.
The studio shaped who I became long before I ever imagined owning it.
When the opportunity came to lead the studio, I wasn't simply buying a business.
I was becoming the steward of something that had impacted generations of families.
That responsibility felt heavy.
It still does.
Every decision I make isn't just about today. It's about preserving a legacy while creating a future.
The Hardest Season
People often ask what the hardest season has been.
The answer isn't one specific event, although the COVID year is probably at the top.
It's the accumulation of all the moments when I had to keep moving forward despite uncertainty.
There were years when enrollment was down.
Years when expenses seemed to rise faster than revenue.
Years when I was balancing motherhood, teaching college courses, running the studio, pursuing my doctorate, and trying to be present for everyone who needed me.
And then there were the seasons when people disappointed me.
The seasons when relationships changed.
The seasons when I had to make difficult decisions that weren't popular but were necessary.
What got me through wasn't some magical business strategy.
It was remembering why we exist.
We don't teach dance.
We help children build confidence.
We create belonging.
We give kids a place where they feel seen.
When I focused on that mission, the next step usually became clear.
What I Got Wrong Early
If I could sit down with my younger self, I'd save her a lot of stress.
I Priced Too Low
Like many women business owners, I worried about charging what I was worth.
I wanted dance to be accessible.
I wanted everyone to be able to participate.
But underpricing doesn't help anyone if the business can't survive.
I eventually learned that sustainable businesses can serve more people than struggling ones.
I Said Yes to Everything
Need another class?
Sure.
Need a special exception?
Okay.
Need me to answer a text at 10 p.m.?
No problem.
Eventually I learned that every yes costs something.
Boundaries aren't selfish.
They're necessary.
I Tried to Do Everything Myself
This one is probably still my growth area.
For years I believed that being a good leader meant carrying everything myself.
The truth?
Great organizations are built by great teams.
Today, our teachers, office staff, volunteers, and families are a huge part of what makes Neighborhood School of Dance special.
What Actually Built the Business
People often want to know the secret.
There isn't one.
What built this studio wasn't a viral social media post.
It wasn't a fancy marketing campaign.
It wasn't some revolutionary business tactic.
It was consistency.
It was showing up.
It was remembering children's names.
It was celebrating birthdays.
It was answering parent questions.
It was checking on families during difficult times.
It was creating a place where people felt like they mattered.
Community is our competitive advantage.
Always has been.
Always will be.
The 50th Season Moment
This year hit me harder than I expected.
Fifty seasons.
Half a century.
Think about that.
Children who danced here in the 1970s now have grandchildren dancing in our classrooms.
That's incredible.
When I stood backstage during our 50th recital, I found myself looking around and realizing I wasn't just seeing costumes and choreography.
I was seeing generations.
Friendships.
Life lessons.
Confidence.
Growth.
I felt grateful.
Grateful for the founders who came before me.
Grateful for every teacher who poured into students.
Grateful for every family that trusted us with their children.
And grateful that I get to play a small role in the next chapter.
What I'd Tell a Woman Starting Over
Whether you're starting a dance studio, launching a business, changing careers, or rebuilding after a difficult season, here's what I would tell you.
1. Start Before You Feel Ready
You will never feel completely prepared.
Begin anyway.
2. Build Relationships Before Revenue
People buy from people they trust.
Invest in relationships first.
3. Don't Make Decisions From Fear
Fear makes us play small.
Growth requires courage.
4. Protect Your Energy
Not every opportunity is your opportunity.
Not every battle needs to be fought.
5. Stay Long Enough to See the Results
Most people quit too soon.
Success often belongs to the person who simply refuses to give up.
Where NSD Is Going Next
While dance will always be at the heart of Neighborhood School of Dance, I'm increasingly passionate about helping women reconnect with themselves through movement.
Over the last few years, I've become fascinated by the connection between movement, nervous system regulation, emotional wellness, and personal growth.
That's why you'll begin seeing more wellness-focused offerings, somatic movement experiences, workshops, and programs designed specifically for women.
The goal is still the same as it's always been:
Helping people grow.
We're just expanding the ways we do it.
To the Woman Building Something
Maybe you're starting a business.
Maybe you're rebuilding after a setback.
Maybe you're trying to figure out who you are after years of taking care of everyone else.
Wherever you are, I want you to hear this:
The messy middle is normal.
The uncertainty is normal.
The self-doubt is normal.
You don't need to have everything figured out before you begin.
You only need enough courage to take the next step.
Thirteen years ago, I couldn't have imagined where this journey would take me.
And honestly, that's part of the beauty of it.
Keep building.
Keep learning.
Keep showing up.
You never know what the next 13 years might hold.
If you'd like more behind-the-scenes lessons on business, dance studio ownership, motherhood, wellness, and building a life you love, follow me on Pinterest where I share what I'm learning along the way.
