The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast

The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast
  • 5.0 (5)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Welcome to The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast the show that aims to give you dance school owners and entrepreneurs, that extra spark of inspiration to turn your passion into profit. In each episode dance business expert Deborah Laws will bring you inspiring interviews, top tips and strategies to help your dance school go from strength to strength.

  1. 8H AGO

    What does 'Inclusivity' really mean for your Dance School?

    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

    52 min

  2. FEB 6

    Are These Classes Draining Your Dance School Profits?

    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

    20 min

  3. JAN 23

    If You Don’t Have Systems, You Are the System | Dance Studio Growth & Automation

    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 enquiringHow to follow up without sounding pushyWhy automation can feel more personal, not lessA simple re-engagement message that can revive old enquiriesHow 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

    54 min

  4. JAN 9

    How to Plan Your Dance Studio Year for Growth, Calm & Balance

    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

    23 min

  5. 12/26/2025

    If This Then That: The Systems Thinking Every Dance School Needs

    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

    17 min

  6. 12/12/2025

    Studio Culture That Keeps Families For Life With Heather Buelow

    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

    44 min

  7. 11/28/2025

    Failing Forwards: How to Be Bold, Brave & Unstoppable in Your Dance Business

    In this inspiring solo episode, Deborah explores what it really means to be bold, take risks, and fail forwards in your dance business. Drawing on the powerful message from Denzel Washington’s famous “Fall Forward” speech, she shares why every stumble, setback, or misstep is actually a step towards growth. Deborah challenges you to reflect on the moves you’d make if fear wasn’t holding you back — whether it’s launching a new programme, starting a competition team, opening your own premises, or trying something completely new. She unpacks the stories we tell ourselves, the protective mechanisms our brains create, and how shifting your mindset can unlock the bravery you didn’t know you had. If you’re standing on the edge of a big idea, this episode is the nudge you’ve been waiting for. Deborah invites listeners to connect with her directly and share the bold steps they’re ready to take next. 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

    12 min

  8. 11/14/2025

    Should You Quit Competitions? How to Transition Your Dance School Without Losing Your Soul

    In this episode, Deborah sits down with the brilliant Rosina Andrews for her third (technically fourth!) appearance on the podcast — and this time they’re tackling a big topic many studio owners quietly wrestle with: What happens when competitions no longer feel right? Together they unpack: ​Why so many studio owners continue competing long after the joy has gone​How algorithms distort our perception of “what everyone else is doing”​Practical ways to step back from competitions without creating chaos​How to communicate changes clearly with dancers, parents, and teachers​What to offer instead — from performance teams to Disney trips to community events​Whether principals can outsource competition leadership to younger teachers​How to navigate the fear of losing students (and why you may gain more) Rosina and Deborah share honest reflections from inside the studio world, including how priorities shift as your life evolves, why boundaries matter, and how to make decisions that align with the future you actually want for your school. This episode rounds off a brilliant mini-series with Rosina, giving you a full 360° view: getting into competitions, managing them well, and now — knowing when and how to let them go. A must-listen for studio owners feeling the pull towards a new direction. 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

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast the show that aims to give you dance school owners and entrepreneurs, that extra spark of inspiration to turn your passion into profit. In each episode dance business expert Deborah Laws will bring you inspiring interviews, top tips and strategies to help your dance school go from strength to strength.

Information

  • Creator
    The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    106
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast

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