Dance Studio Owner Life Coaching

Ginger Haithcox
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Dance Studio Owner Life Coaching, with host Ginger Haithcox, features life coaching and financial coaching for Dance Studio Owners. Each week we talk money, mindset and self care to help you live a more peaceful life and run a profitable business. Learn to overcome overwhelm, make money as a Dance Studio Owner, and live a peaceful life as you confidently delegate work to your staff while enjoying regular days off.

  1. 4d ago

    150| Staff Departures and Student Poaching: How Studio Owners Move Forward With Rebecca Brettingham-Felice

    In this milestone 150th episode of Dance Studio Owner Life Coaching, Ginger sits down with Rebecca Brettingham-Filice, founder of Dance Extreme and co-founder of Mindful Dancers, for an honest conversation about one of the most difficult situations a studio owner can face: a faculty member leaving to open a competing studio and actively recruiting students to follow. Rebecca shares her own experience of losing staff and approximately 35 students, what she wishes she had addressed sooner, and how she kept her focus on moving the business forward. Together, Ginger and Rebecca discuss the difference between supporting a teacher's dream of studio ownership and navigating unethical business practices like student poaching. They also explore the role of core values, transparent communication, staff leadership, and why studio owners need to address problems rather than allowing them to continue until the end of the season. Rebecca offers practical perspective for protecting customer confidence during a staff transition while processing the emotional side privately. This episode covers: Why a staff member opening a studio does not automatically have to become a negative situation The impact of student poaching and secrecy during a staff departure How core-value misalignment can show up long before someone leaves Why delaying difficult staff decisions can create bigger problems How to provide stability and reassurance for families during a transition The importance of honest conversations between studio owners and employees How studio owners can examine their own leadership and treatment of staff Moving forward without allowing a painful departure to define the business Rebecca also shares more about Mindful Dancers, which provides mindfulness and life-skills resources for dancers, parents, teachers, and studio owners. Learn more at www.mindfuldancers.com.   Rebecca Brettingham-Filice is the owner and artistic director of Dance Extreme Inc. located in London, Ontario, Canada. Founding and managing the studio since its inception in 1997, Rebecca and her team have taught over 30,000 students. In 2023, Rebecca began Mindful Dancers (mindfuldancers.com) as a co-founder and co-owner. Building strong dancers through Mind, Body and Spirit. In 2024, Rebecca wrote her first book Mindful Dancers Journey: Supporting Your Child's Growth Through Dance, available on Amazon orwww.mindfuldancers.com. She is a certified instructor with Dance Educators of America and Dance Masters of Canada, Chapter #38, where she sits on the board of directors. Rebecca has served as chairperson of social media and as a delegate for Dance Masters of America. She is currently the chairperson for the sponsorship and vendor committee. Rebecca graduated from Dance Masters of America's Teacher's Training School at Kent State University and the State University of New York in Buffalo. Rebecca adjudicates for a number of dance organizations, competitions and has taught at various workshops throughout Canada and the United States. A number of Rebecca's students have attended professional schools for dance and theatre and worked professionally in theatre, television, movies and professional dance companies. In 2012, Dance Extreme was honoured to perform at the Summer Olympics in London, UK and returned with her studio to perform at the Summer Olympics in Paris, France in 2024. Check out the book Mindful Dancers Journey: Supporting Your Child's Growth Through Dance, available on Amazon.

    150| Staff Departures and Student Poaching: How Studio Owners Move Forward With Rebecca Brettingham-Felice

  2. Aug 27

    149 | Creating Dance Studio Policies That Reflect Your Values

    In this episode of Dance Studio Owner Life Coaching, Ginger shares lessons from recent Leadership Roundtable conversations about setting expectations, creating policies, and building a studio culture that reflects your values. She discusses how one studio owner approached creating a dance company agreement, why having dancers and parents sign expectations can increase clarity and accountability, and how a company kickoff can give families the opportunity to ask questions before the season begins. Ginger also shares how her own dancers helped create a company promise centered around kindness, responsibility, encouragement, and representing the studio well. The episode then explores a bigger leadership principle: manage for the majority, rather than creating rules around the exception. When one customer, parent, or student causes frustration, it can be tempting to add another policy, restriction, or sign. Ginger encourages studio owners to consider whether those decisions actually support the culture and experience they want to create. Before adding another rule or procedure, ask yourself whether it reflects your studio's values and serves the majority of the people you work with. Your values can become the barometer you use to make decisions about policies, expectations, and studio culture.

  3. Aug 20

    148 | Two Dance Studio Locations & Motherhood: How Melody Hubert Makes It Work

    In this episode of Dance Studio Owner Life Coaching, Ginger talks with Melody Hubert, founder of Melodic Movements Performing Arts Program, a nonprofit dance organization with two locations in Delaware. Melody shares what it has looked like to grow her studio while raising her four-year-old son, including opening her second location when he was just one. She talks candidly about mom guilt, making room for self-care, adjusting her studio schedule as her son gets older, and creating a business that allows her to be present for the parts of motherhood that matter to her. The conversation also digs into the practical side of operating two studio locations. Melody explains how hiring an operations manager changed her ability to lead both locations, why strong systems and policies are essential before expanding, and how her team helps maintain the culture and mission across both studios. Ginger and Melody also talk about separating your identity from your business, hiring people who truly align with your mission, and the role faith has played in Melody's journey. Melody shares how what began as an idea for a praise dance intensive eventually became a studio that she views as mission work—something bigger than herself. In this episode: Growing from one dance studio location to two Running a business while raising a young child Managing mom guilt and protecting time for yourself Adjusting your role as your family enters different seasons Hiring an operations manager to support multiple locations Strengthening systems before expanding Separating your personal identity from your studio Building a team around your mission and values How faith has influenced Melody's leadership and business Melody is the CEO and founder of Melodic Movements Performing Arts Program, a multi-location dance studio in Delaware, and the first African American dance studio owner in the state to own multiple locations. She is known for her honest and intentional approach to educating dance parents on what it truly takes to build confident, disciplined dancers. With a background in special education, Melody is passionate about creating a safe and supportive space where every dancer is challenged to grow. She believes her work goes beyond training dancers—she is committed to developing strong, confident young people both on and off the stage. Learn more about Melody and Melodic Movements at MelodicMovements.org. Instagram: @MelodicMovements__ Facebook: Melodic MovementsDE

    148 | Two Dance Studio Locations & Motherhood: How Melody Hubert Makes It Work

  4. Aug 13

    147 | Introverted Entrepreneur: Dance Studio Owner Tips for Tough Moments

    In this episode, Ginger explores what it means to be an introverted entrepreneur in a highly visible, people-centered industry. She shares how introversion has shaped her experience as a dance studio owner, from recital days and networking events to leadership, marketing, and managing her schedule. Ginger explains that successful business owners do not have to be outgoing, highly charismatic, or constantly in the spotlight. Drawing briefly from Built to Last by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras, she discusses research showing that charismatic leadership is not a prerequisite for building a successful, enduring company. She also emphasizes that introversion is not a reason to avoid leadership responsibilities. Difficult conversations, marketing, communication, and visibility are still part of business ownership, but introverted leaders can approach them through preparation, thoughtful follow-up, selective networking, and communication methods that fit their strengths. The episode closes with practical ways introverted studio owners can protect their energy, including leaving space between meetings, avoiding overscheduled weekends, creating office hours, protecting recovery time after major events, and delegating responsibilities that are especially draining. Book Recommendation: Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies is a book written by Jim Collins and Jerry I. Porras.

  5. Aug 6

    146 | Dance Studio Owners: Trust Your Gut Before Making a Business Investment

    As a dance studio owner, you are constantly making decisions about programs, coaching, marketing, staffing, and where to invest your money. Some opportunities may be genuinely useful. Others can create pressure, urgency, or self-doubt that makes it harder to trust your own judgment. In this updated version of Episode 14, Ginger revisits the importance of trusting your gut when something feels off. She shares why persuasive sales tactics, pushy staff, unclear policies, and financial pressure are all reasons to slow down and take a closer look before committing. She also explains that trusting yourself goes beyond knowing what to avoid. It includes paying attention to the ideas you keep returning to, implementing more of your own plans, and allowing yourself to learn through action.

  6. Jul 30

    145 | Showing Up Despite Fatigue

    There are times when rest is the right choice, and there are also moments when showing up matters more than waiting to feel motivated. In this episode, Ginger talks about using self-identity and action before feelings to follow through on the commitments you've made. She shares a real-time example of recording this episode when she would rather have rested, and explains how identifying as a professional, a leader, a spouse, or a business owner can help guide your next action. You'll also hear how this applies to leadership, relationships, studio culture, and the projects that keep getting pushed to the bottom of your list. The question to ask yourself is simple: Who did I say I wanted to be, and how would that person show up right now? For more practical support for creating more peace and more profit in your studio, sign up for the Leadership Roundtable Newsletter at thestudioownerlifecoach.com/newsletter.

  7. Jul 23

    144 | Let's Clean Out The Closets

    In this summer series episode, Ginger shares what she learned from clearing clutter at home and at her studio. After cleaning out closets, drawers, storage rooms, and office areas, she realized that requests for more storage can be a sign to reassess what is already being kept. Ginger connects physical clutter to the emotional and professional clutter that builds over time, including unresolved feelings, unused ideas, old costumes, props, and equipment kept "just in case." She encourages studio owners to evaluate what still fits who they are and how they operate today, then clear out what has run its course before the new season begins. For more practical tips, sign up for the Leadership Roundtable Newsletter at thestudioownerlifecoach.com/newsletter.

  8. Jul 16

    143 | What's Behind Your Resistance to Commitment?

    Have you ever avoided committing to something because you were afraid you might not follow through? In this episode, I'm talking about the resistance to commitment and the thoughts that often sit underneath it. Sometimes we tell ourselves that life is too unpredictable, our schedules are too busy, or we need more control before we can commit to a plan. But when we dig deeper, the real concern may be the fear of missing the mark. I share a coaching conversation with a client who wanted to add a blog to her website but resisted creating a regular posting schedule. Through a few probing questions, we uncovered that the hesitation was connected to not wanting to fail.   Join the Leadership Roundtable Newsletter The Leadership Roundtable Newsletter is sent on the 1st and 15th of each month and includes practical tips, education, and encouragement for dance studio owners. Sign up at: thestudioownerlifecoach.com/newsletter

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About

Dance Studio Owner Life Coaching, with host Ginger Haithcox, features life coaching and financial coaching for Dance Studio Owners. Each week we talk money, mindset and self care to help you live a more peaceful life and run a profitable business. Learn to overcome overwhelm, make money as a Dance Studio Owner, and live a peaceful life as you confidently delegate work to your staff while enjoying regular days off.

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