Transform My Dance Studio – The Podcast For Dance Studio Owners

Dance Studio Owners Association

Behind every great studio is a story of transformation. The Transform My Dance Studio Podcast is your weekly lifeline for leadership, clarity, and community. This podcast is for studio owners at any stage of their journey who are ready to build profitable businesses that support their lives. Each episode sparks inspiration and strategies to transform your studio and your life. You'll hear real-life stories from studio owners, mentors, and coaches who've been in the trenches, candid solo episodes that explore the personal and professional growth of studio leadership, and thoughtful deep dives with industry experts offering practical insight for studio owners. This show is designed to help studio owners move beyond survival mode and into a more intentional way of leading that supports financial growth without sacrificing joy, energy, or fulfillment. If you're building a studio you care deeply about, but know there's a better way to do it, Transform My Dance Studio is here to support you every step of the way.

  1. 4d ago

    Delegation is About Empowering Someone Else!

    Making your first hire can feel overwhelming, especially when you've built your studio with your own two hands.  We're bringing back this insightful conversation from our podcast archives because its lessons on hiring, leadership, and delegation remain timeless for studio owners.    In this episode, Mary Giattino shares the personal story of taking over her family's dance studio, hiring her very first studio manager, and learning that true delegation isn't about giving away tasks. It's about empowering others to lead. Through honest reflections on hiring, trust, systems, and leadership, Mary offers practical insights to help studio owners build stronger teams and create a business that can grow beyond themselves.  What You'll Learn  Why your first hire is one of the biggest leadership decisions you'll make  How Mary transitioned from Broadway to owning her family's dance studio  What to look for when hiring a studio manager  Why delegation is about empowerment—not just assigning tasks  How to build trust while maintaining accountability  The importance of systems and clear communication  Why culture fit matters just as much as skill set  How delegation allows studio owners to focus on vision and growth  Lessons Mary learned from growing her admin team over the past 12 years  Why leadership and delegation are continual learning processes  Mary Giattino is a Broadway choreographer, educator, and longtime dance studio owner. She owns Stage Door School of Dance in Long Island, New York, serves as a DSOA Inner Circle Studio Growth Coach, and has worked on numerous Broadway and national touring productions, including Billy Elliot, Dear Evan Hansen, Fun Home, and White Christmas. Today, Mary combines her professional performing arts experience with decades of studio leadership to help dance studio owners build stronger businesses and teams.  Explore our partners: Try Studio Pro FREE for 30 days: gostudiopro.com/transform Try our Daily Decision Compass: dsoa.com/compass Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation

  2. Aug 3

    The #1 Hire You Need To Staff Up & Stress Down!

    Are you leading your team the way you want to be remembered?  We're resharing one of our favorite episodes from Kelli Leighton's Innovate to Thrive series because its leadership lessons are just as relevant today as when it first aired. If you've ever felt frustrated by staff performance, struggled with accountability, or found yourself carrying too much of the workload, this episode will challenge you to look at leadership from a new perspective.  Kelli shares the mindset shifts and practical strategies that helped her build a stronger, more innovative team. You'll also hear about the unique role she introduced in her studio—the Director of Removing Friction—and how it's helped streamline operations, improve communication, and reduce stress for both her team and her clients.  What You'll Learn  Why your team is a direct reflection of your leadership  How to perform an effective team audit  The importance of accountability without sacrificing culture  How innovation starts with leadership, not creativity alone  Why your team needs a mindset shift—not just new systems  How to separate emotional feedback from real business data  The difference between macro and micro client pain points  Why empowering staff leads to better decision-making  What a "Director of Removing Friction" does—and why every studio needs one  Practical ways to build a forward-thinking, innovative team  Whether you're growing your team or refining the one you already have, you'll walk away with actionable ideas to become a more confident leader and build a studio culture that supports long-term success.  Kelli Leighton is the owner and Artistic Director of Leighton Dance Project in California and a longtime member and coach inside the Dance Studio Owners Association Inner Circle. Passionate about helping studio owners embrace innovation, Kelli combines creativity with practical leadership strategies to build thriving businesses, strong teams, and exceptional studio cultures. Through her Innovate to Thrive series, she encourages studio owners to think differently, lead confidently, and turn big ideas into meaningful action.  Explore our partners: Try Studio Pro for FREE for 30 Days - gostudiopro.com/transform Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation

  3. Jul 27

    Values Don't Build Culture. Your Actions Do with Lauren Ritchie

    Your studio culture isn't created by your mission statement—it's built in the hundreds of small moments your dancers, teachers, and families experience every single day.  In this episode, Katie chats  with mental performance coach and leadership educator Lauren Ritchie to explore how studio owners can intentionally create environments where dancers feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow.  Together they discuss why values alone aren't enough, how everyday interactions shape the experience inside your studio, and why emotional regulation may be one of the most important leadership skills a studio owner can develop.  What You'll Learn  Why culture is created through daily actions—not mission statements  The difference between aspirational values and lived values  How leadership energy shapes your studio environment  Why "high challenge + high support" creates better dancers  How fear-based coaching impacts long-term development  The importance of emotional regulation as a leader  Why predictable leaders build safer learning environments  Practical ways to communicate with parents and staff  How boundaries strengthen relationships  Small leadership habits that transform studio culture  Lauren Ritchie is a mental performance coach, educator, and speaker who specializes in resilience, conscious coaching, and leadership. She has developed international training programs and mental performance curricula for dancers, athletes, and coaches, helping leaders build supportive, high-performing environments where people can thrive.    Explore our partners: Get your 3-Step International Dance Day Campaign: dsoa.com/international-dance-day/ Sign up for Studio Sync - dsoa.com/syncmembership Try Dance Photo Pro - dancephotopro.com   Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation

  4. Jul 20

    How Curiosity Creates More Revenue with Diana Kander

    Growth doesn't usually stall because you run out of opportunities—it stalls because you stop questioning what's possible.   In this episode, Lisa sits down with innovation expert Diana Kander to explore why successful business owners often stop growing, how curiosity fuels innovation, and why experimentation—not perfection—is the key to long-term success.  If you've ever felt like you've hit a ceiling or wondered what's next for your studio, this conversation will challenge the way you think about growth.  What You Will Learn:  Why success often creates complacency  The difference between customer focus and efficiency  How curiosity fuels innovation and business growth  Why experimentation beats repeating old strategies  How to escape the "expert trap"  Why your calendar reflects your business priorities  The three questions every CEO should ask weekly  How to identify your ideal customer  Why personal growth drives business growth  How to create momentum instead of simply staying busy  Diana Kander is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and growth mindset coach who helps leaders create cultures of innovation through curiosity, experimentation, and strategic thinking. She is the author of Get Curious & Grow, The Curiosity Muscle, Go Big or Go Home, and All In Startup.  Explore our partners: Sign up for Studio Sync - dsoa.com/syncmembership Check out Creative Branding Studio and the Dance Content Club at creativebrandingstudio.com Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation

  5. Jul 13

    Derick Grant On The Identity Shift Every Leader Has To Make

    What if the biggest thing standing between you and your next level of growth… isn't your business? It's your identity. In this thought-provoking episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Katie Wilber sits down with former Harlem Globetrotter, performance coach, and DG Mindset founder Derick Grant for a conversation that reaches far beyond studio ownership. Together, they explore what it truly means to grow—not just as an entrepreneur, but as a person. From identity shifts and self-trust to pressure, purpose, and the stories we tell ourselves, Derick shares why the version of you that built your business may not be the version that will lead it into the future. This isn't a conversation about better marketing or stronger systems. It's about becoming the leader your next season requires. If you've ever felt caught between who you've been and who you're becoming, this episode offers a powerful reminder that lasting transformation begins from the inside out. It may just change the way you think about growth—both in your studio and in yourself. What You'll Learn Why your identity determines your business results How self-worth impacts long-term success The difference between confidence and self-trust How to recognize when you've outgrown an old version of yourself Why growth requires letting go, not just learning more How to overcome pressure and stop seeking outside validation Practical questions to help uncover limiting beliefs Why entrepreneurship is ultimately a journey of self-development How to lead your studio from alignment instead of fear A simple mindset practice for creating your next level of success Derick Grant is a former Harlem Globetrotter, entrepreneur, author, performance coach, and founder of DG Mindset. Through speaking, coaching, retreats, and educational content, he helps leaders break through limiting beliefs, strengthen self-trust, and create lasting personal and professional transformation. Explore our partners: Try our Daily Decision Compass - dsoa.com/compass Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation

  6. Jul 6

    What Happens When You Finally Trust Your Team

    Have you built a successful dance studio... but somehow you're still doing everything?  If you're constantly answering every question, making every decision, and wondering why your studio can't function without you, this episode is the wake-up call you've been waiting for.  In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, led by Katie Wilber (DSOA Operations Specialist)  Inner Circle mentor Sharon Uyar talks about one of the biggest leadership transformations a studio owner can make: letting go of control so your business can truly grow.  After building her New Jersey studio to more than 1,200 students and a team of 45 staff members, Sharon shares the hard-earned lessons that helped her move from exhausted studio owner to confident CEO. She opens up about burnout, micromanagement, hiring mistakes, learning to trust her team, and why the future of your business depends on developing leaders, not creating more dependence on yourself.  Whether you're leading a team of three or thirty, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership, delegation, hiring, and building a studio that gives you both freedom and sustainable growth.  You'll Learn: You'll Learn:  Why studio growth eventually requires a complete leadership shift  The hidden cost of trying to make every decision yourself  How micromanagement hurts both your team and your business  The mindset changes required to become the CEO instead of the manager  Why empowering leaders creates stronger staff retention  Sharon's biggest hiring lessons after years of trial and error  How to build accountability without controlling every detail  Why trust is the foundation of a thriving leadership team  Practical ways to delegate with confidence  How building the right team gives you back your time, energy, and passion for studio ownership

  7. Jun 29

    The Marketing Habit Every Studio Owner Needs

    Do you find yourself only focusing on marketing when enrollment drops?   If so, you're not alone.  In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Lisa DeMaio sits down with marketing expert and former studio owner Maureen Craig of Creative Branding Studio. After owning a dance studio for 10 years, Maureen now helps studio owners simplify their marketing, build stronger visibility, and create systems that support enrollment all year long.  Together, they unpack one of the biggest challenges facing studio owners today: staying consistent with marketing when you're already wearing a hundred different hats. From social media and email marketing to content calendars and planning systems, Maureen shares practical strategies to help studio owners stop reacting to enrollment dips and start building sustainable visibility in their communities.  If you've ever felt overwhelmed by marketing, struggled to post consistently, or wondered how successful studios seem to stay top-of-mind year-round, this episode will give you a practical roadmap for creating marketing habits that support predictable enrollment and long-term growth.  What You'll Learn:  • Why marketing should be treated like a marathon, not a sprint  • The "vitamins for your business" mindset every studio owner needs  • How consistency impacts visibility and enrollment  • The Rule of Seven and why repetition matters in marketing  • Ways to become the studio everyone recommends in your community  • Why email marketing is still one of the most valuable tools available  • How to create and use a content calendar effectively  • Strategies for building a content bank during slower seasons  • How to market your studio without feeling salesy  • Why viewing your marketing through a parent's eyes changes everything  • The connection between visibility, stability, and predictable enrollment  Check out Creative Branding Studio and the Dance Content Club at creativebrandingstudio.com Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Explore our partners: Try our Daily Decision Compass - dsoa.com/compass Sign up for Studio Sync - dsoa.com/syncmembership Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation

  8. Jun 22

    The Studio Owner's Guide To Saying NO!

    One of the most important skills a studio owner can develop is knowing when to say no.  In this episode, Inner Circle Studio Growth Coach Elisa Finney shares how defining a clear brand mission and set of values transformed the way she runs her studio, builds partnerships, and makes business decisions.  From costumes and choreography to sponsorships and strategic partnerships, Elisa explains how a strong brand becomes a decision-making filter that helps you protect your reputation, attract the right families, and create consistency across every aspect of your business.  If you've ever struggled with setting boundaries, evaluating opportunities, or staying true to your vision, this episode will give you practical exercises and real-world examples to help you strengthen your brand and make decisions with confidence.  What You'll Learn  Why strong brands require strong boundaries  How to use your brand as a decision-making filter  What studio owners should say no to  How Elisa evaluates business partnerships  The role brand values play in programming decisions  Why consistency builds trust and credibility  How to identify brands that align with your mission  Ways strategic partnerships can elevate your studio  The exercise Elisa used to define her brand  How greater brand clarity leads to better business decisions  Alisa Finney is an Inner Circle Studio Growth Coach and the Director of the Melbourne Ballet Company in Australia. She leads both a professional touring ballet company and a thriving dance studio serving students from age two through eighty-nine. Elisa is known for her expertise in branding, strategic partnerships, leadership, and building mission-driven dance organizations that stand out in their communities.  Explore our partners Get ahead of next season with Limelight Teamwear. Visit limelightteamwear.com to learn more Try our Daily Decision Compass - dsoa.com/compass Sign up for Studio Sync - dsoa.com/syncmembership Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation

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4.7
out of 5
70 Ratings

About

Behind every great studio is a story of transformation. The Transform My Dance Studio Podcast is your weekly lifeline for leadership, clarity, and community. This podcast is for studio owners at any stage of their journey who are ready to build profitable businesses that support their lives. Each episode sparks inspiration and strategies to transform your studio and your life. You'll hear real-life stories from studio owners, mentors, and coaches who've been in the trenches, candid solo episodes that explore the personal and professional growth of studio leadership, and thoughtful deep dives with industry experts offering practical insight for studio owners. This show is designed to help studio owners move beyond survival mode and into a more intentional way of leading that supports financial growth without sacrificing joy, energy, or fulfillment. If you're building a studio you care deeply about, but know there's a better way to do it, Transform My Dance Studio is here to support you every step of the way.

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