Transform My Dance Studio – The Podcast For Dance Studio Owners

Dance Studio Owners Association
  • 4.7 (70)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. Hosted by Olivia Mode-Cater, a lifelong dance educator and entrepreneur, 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. Olivia Mode-Cater is a CEO, entrepreneur and leader of the Dance Studio Owners Association, the world's largest community of studio owners, and helped scale 2 other major dance businesses into leaders in the industry. Known for her expertise in dance education, business growth, and marketing, she has trained and inspired thousands of studio owners.

  1. 3D AGO

    Great Marketing Will Always Fail Without Great Teaching

    Most studios focus on marketing to get students in the door, but what if the real reason they leave is happening inside your classrooms?    In this episode, Olivia sits down with Katie Wilber, educator, operations specialist, and marketing expert, to unpack the powerful role teachers play in shaping your studio's brand and retention.  This conversation dives deep into the disconnect between external marketing and in-class experience and how that gap can make or break trust with families. Katie shares real classroom stories, actionable teaching strategies, and the mindset shifts both studio owners and teachers need to create consistency, loyalty, and long-term success.  What You'll Learn:  Why teachers are the true extension of your brand  How classroom experience directly impacts retention  The importance of consistency in teaching and communication  What parents actually perceive as "value"  How to balance creativity with curriculum  The small moments that build lifelong student loyalty  Katie Wilber is the operations specialist with the Dance Studio Owners Association and the Studio Sync member success specialist. With experience in classrooms, marketing, and studio systems nationwide, she brings a unique perspective on aligning teaching with brand and business growth.    Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Watch our video episodes and subscribe on YouTube here. 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 Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation Follow Olivia Mode-Cater: Instagram: @olivia.modecater | TikTok: @olivia.modecater

    33 min

  2. APR 6

    The #1 Branding Mistake Growing Studio Owners Make

    Your studio is growing… your students are growing… your team is growing…  So why does your brand suddenly feel off?  In this empowering solo episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater breaks down a moment every growing studio owner hits—but few know how to fix: when your business evolves, but your messaging doesn't keep up.  If you've ever looked at your social media, your website, or your team's communication and thought "this doesn't feel like us anymore"—this episode is your wake-up call.  Olivia dives deep into what branding actually is (hint: it's not your logo), why delegation often creates brand inconsistency, and the simple system she used to realign her messaging, scale her team, and build trust with the right customers.  This episode will challenge you to step into your role as CEO and take ownership of the one thing that drives trust, growth, and long-term success: your brand.  You'll hear:  Why branding is a feeling, not just visuals or design  The identity shift that happens as your studio grows  Why delegating marketing often creates brand misalignment  The real reason your messaging isn't attracting the right families  How inconsistent messaging breaks trust (and slows growth)  The exact system Olivia uses to align her team's messaging  How to define your customer avatar beyond surface-level insights  Why "generic" marketing will never cut through the noise  How to create scalable brand consistency across your business  The CEO-level responsibility most studio owners avoid  If your studio is growing but your messaging isn't keeping up, this episode will show you exactly how to realign, refocus, and scale with clarity.  Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Watch our video episodes and subscribe on YouTube here. 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 Try Studio Pro FREE for 30 Days - gostudiopro.com/transform Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation Follow Olivia Mode-Cater: Instagram: @olivia.modecater | TikTok: @olivia.modecater

    21 min

  3. MAR 30

    Are You The Bottleneck For Your Own Studio?

    What if the thing holding your studio back… is actually how you're showing up as the leader?  In this powerful and honest conversation, Olivia Mode-Cater is joined by Inner Circle Studio Growth Coach Shannon Westveer to unpack the identity shifts required to grow a sustainable, scalable dance studio. This episode goes beyond strategy—and into the real internal work that studio owners must face as they evolve from doing everything… to leading something bigger than themselves.  Shannon shares her journey from overwhelmed studio owner to confident CEO, revealing the mindset shifts, leadership challenges, and uncomfortable decisions that ultimately changed everything. Together, Olivia and Shannon explore why so many studio owners stay stuck—not because they lack tools, but because they haven't yet stepped into the next version of themselves.  If you've ever felt stretched thin, unsure how to grow, or like your studio depends entirely on you—this episode will challenge you to think differently about your role, your leadership, and what's truly required to scale.  You'll hear:  Why growth requires an identity shift—not just new strategies  The difference between operating as a teacher vs. a CEO  Why letting go feels so hard (and how to actually do it)  The hidden cost of staying in "control mode"  How to start building a studio that runs with you, not because of you  The mindset blocks that keep studio owners stuck in overwhelm  What it really takes to lead a team effectively  How Shannon redefined her role to create more freedom and growth  Why clarity and decision-making are leadership skills, not personality traits  The moment studio owners realize: "Something has to change"  If you're ready to stop doing everything yourself and start leading a studio that can grow beyond you, this episode is your wake-up call.  Shannon Westveer is a former dance studio owner and Inner Circle Studio Growth Coach known for helping studio owners step into stronger leadership, build sustainable businesses, and navigate the mindset shifts required for long-term growth.  Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Watch our video episodes and subscribe on YouTube here. Explore our partners: Studio Sync - dsoa.com/syncmembership Dance Photo Pro - dancephotopro.com Studio Growth Pathways - dsoa.com/pathways  Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation Follow Olivia Mode-Cater: Instagram: @olivia.modecater | TikTok: @olivia.modecater

    44 min

  4. MAR 23

    Stop Leaving $50K On The Table

    What if picture day wasn't a stressful, time-consuming obligation, but one of the most profitable and impactful parts of your studio? In this episode of Transform My Dance Studio, Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with studio owner, entrepreneur, and founder of Dance Photo Pro, Hilary Parnell, to completely reframe how studio owners think about dance photography. With over 25 years of experience, $3M+ in studio revenue, and hundreds of studio owners coached, Hilary shares how she turned a frustrating, low-value experience into a scalable revenue stream and how you can do the same. From losing money during picture week to generating $5,000–$50,000 in revenue, this episode breaks down how bringing photography in-house can transform not only your finances, but your branding, customer experience, and retention. If you've ever felt like you're doing all the work while someone else walks away with the profit, this conversation will change how you see picture day forever. What You'll Learn: Why most studios lose money on picture day (and how to fix it) How to generate $5,000 per 100 students in photography revenue The biggest mistake studio owners make with picture day mindset Why photography is a branding and marketing tool How to create a better customer experience through photos Ways to turn picture day into a culture-building event How to use photos for social media, enrollment, and retention The system behind running photography in-house (without being a photographer) How to layer photography into events, camps, and premium offers Why owning your images gives you full control of your brand Hilary Parnell is the owner of Academy for the Performing Arts and Preschool for the Arts in Apex, NC, where she has led and grown her studio for over 20 years. She has taught over 10,000 students, scaled her business to over $3M in revenue, and coached hundreds of studio owners. She is also the founder of Dance Photo Pro and Dancers In Balance, helping studio owners create profitable, balanced businesses through smart systems and leadership. For more information visit dancephotopro.com Register now for our free March 24 Studio Manager training at dsoa.com/studiomanager Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Watch our video episodes and subscribe on YouTube here. Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation Follow Olivia Mode-Cater: Instagram: @olivia.modecater | TikTok: @olivia.modecater

    28 min

  5. MAR 16

    Recital Revenue: The Strategy That Changed Everything for this Studio Owner

    Are you running your recital strategically… or just hoping it works out?  For many dance studios, recital is the single biggest cash infusion of the year, yet most studio owners never actually plan it that way.   In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with DSOA Inner Circle finance coach Paige Sayegh, a studio owner of 32 years who runs a thriving 700-student studio in New Jersey. Through her work coaching studio owners around the world, Paige has reviewed hundreds of P&Ls and helped studios uncover hidden revenue opportunities they didn't even realize existed.  Together, Olivia and Paige break down how studio owners can transform recital from a stressful production into a strategic, predictable, revenue-generating part of the business. From optimizing ticket pricing and merchandise to thinking intentionally about audience spending and future enrollment opportunities, this conversation reveals how small changes can add thousands in revenue, without adding more stress.  If recital currently feels like chaos, guesswork, or simply a way to survive the summer months, this episode will challenge you to rethink how your recital can support the long-term stability and growth of your studio.  What you'll learn  Why most studios approach recital revenue the wrong way  How small pricing tweaks can add thousands to your recital profit  The hidden audiences at your recital who are ready to spend  How to calculate average revenue per student at recital  Why ticket pricing, bundles, and upsells matter more than you think  How to use recital to promote summer camps and future classes  Why recital can be your biggest retention and marketing event  The simple financial benchmarks studio owners should know  How to reverse engineer your recital revenue goals  Why studio owners should decide in advance what recital money is for  How profitable studios create generosity, stability, and freedom  The post-recital analysis every studio should do  If you're ready to stop guessing your recital numbers and start using recital as a strategic tool to strengthen your studio's finances, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can apply right away.  Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Watch our video episodes and subscribe on YouTube here. Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation Follow Olivia Mode-Cater: Instagram: @olivia.modecater | TikTok: @olivia.modecater

    32 min

  6. MAR 9

    Why Studio Owners Burn Out (And How to Reclaim Your Life)

    Are you running your studio… or is your studio running you?  For many dance studio owners, the business becomes more than a job.  It becomes identity, purpose, and sometimes pressure that's impossible to escape. When every challenge feels personal and every decision feels heavy, it can be difficult to lead with clarity and confidence.  In this powerful conversation, Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with entrepreneur, author, and mindset coach Cara Moeller Poppitt to explore the internal shifts studio owners must make in order to grow their business without losing themselves in the process.  Drawing from decades of experience as both a dancer and entrepreneur, Cara shares insights on leadership, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the emotional patterns that often show up in business ownership. Together, they unpack how studio owners can reclaim their power as CEOs, make difficult decisions with clarity, and create the space necessary for their studios, — and their lives, to thrive.  This episode challenges studio owners to look deeper: not just at their systems or strategies, but at the beliefs and habits shaping how they lead.  If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the weight of running your studio, struggled with letting go of control, or wondered how to grow without burning out, this conversation will shift the way you think about leadership, success, and the role your business plays in your life.  What You'll Learn  Why many studio owners attach their identity to their business  The hidden cost of people-pleasing in leadership  How perfectionism can hold studio owners back  The mindset shift from studio owner to CEO  Why successful entrepreneurs regularly pivot and realign  How your business can reveal personal growth opportunities  The importance of creating space for clarity and better decisions  Why delegating and letting go is critical for growth  How to make hard decisions while protecting your studio culture  The leadership habit that helps entrepreneurs stay aligned and energized  Cara Moeller Poppitt is an entrepreneur, author, and leadership coach who helps professionals create bold transformation in their businesses and lives. A former dancer and choreographer with over 20 years of experience, she blends mindset coaching, business strategy, and creativity to help leaders unlock their full potential. Cara is the founder of two award-winning companies, host of the Big Freakin' Change Podcast, and the bestselling author of Big Freakin' Change.   https://caramoellerpoppitt.com/   Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Watch our video episodes and subscribe on YouTube here. Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation Follow Olivia Mode-Cater: Instagram: @olivia.modecater | TikTok: @olivia.modecater

    35 min

  7. MAR 2

    The $1 Ticket Increase That Changes Everything

    If recital season has ever meant long lines, confused parents, ticket stress, or that sinking feeling that your biggest event of the year could have run smoother, this episode is for you.  Because let's be clear: your recital isn't "just a show." It's your biggest brand statement, a major revenue driver, a powerful retention tool, and a defining leadership moment all wrapped into one.  In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia sits down with Leo Moore from DRT Performance Tix to unpack how studio owners can transform their recital from a logistical headache into a professional, profitable, CEO-level event. You'll hear why ticketing is the first impression of your show, how DIY systems quietly drain revenue, and what it looks like to treat recital planning like a business strategy, not an afterthought.  If you're ready to stop surviving the recital season and start leading it like a CEO, press play.  You will learn:  Why your recital ticketing experience directly impacts retention  How "we've always done it this way" is costing you money  The psychology behind first impressions and brand trust  Why digital ticketing elevates your professionalism  How to turn recital data into real revenue growth  What a 91% retention rate in ticketing tells us about change  How small pricing adjustments (even $1) shift your profitability  Why recital revenue planning should start months in advance  How young studio owners are scaling faster with better systems  Why recital season should fund your future, not exhaust you  Leo Moore is the Manager of Partnerships and Growth at DRT Performance Tix, the leading ticketing provider built specifically for dance studios. Working closely with client success teams and studio owners across North America, Leo helps studios create professional, profitable recital experiences through smart systems, revenue planning, and hands-on support. DRT now serves over 3,000 studios and continues to evolve through direct client feedback.  For more information visit https://www.drttix.com/ Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Watch our video episodes and subscribe on YouTube here. Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation Follow Olivia Mode-Cater: Instagram: @olivia.modecater | TikTok: @olivia.modecater

    24 min

  8. FEB 23

    The 3 Climbs to a Stronger, Smarter Summer

    You're working harder than ever… so why doesn't your studio feel more profitable? If you've ever looked at your numbers and thought, "Where is the money?"  this episode will shift the way you think about profit forever. In this powerful solo conversation, Olivia Mode-Cater challenges one of the most uncomfortable truths in entrepreneurship: profit is not natural. Your business will always find ways to spend money, especially in the name of care, growth, new ideas, team, and upgrades. That doesn't make you bad at business. It makes you human. But if you want long-term sustainability, profit must be protected on purpose. Olivia introduces her "Three Climbs" framework: viability, stability, and profitability. She explains why most dance studio owners get stuck in survival or systemization without ever fully stepping into true margin-building leadership. With summer approaching, she also breaks down why summer camps are one of the easiest places for profit to quietly disappear and how to build profitability into your planning before registration even opens. This is about more than spreadsheets. It's about stepping fully into your CEO role. Because you are not a teacher who happens to own a business. You are an entrepreneur. You Will Learn: Why "profit is unnatural" — and why that's empowering The 3 Climbs of entrepreneurship: viability, stability, and profitability How survival mode keeps profit off your radar What "systems bloat," "tech bloat," and "team bloat" are really costing you The different types of ROI every studio owner should evaluate Why summer planning must start with expenses and profit margin The industry's average profit margin — and why 15% should be your minimum goal How to forecast summer camps with clarity and intention The mindset shift from "teacher who owns a studio" to "entrepreneur" Why progress over perfection is critical for financial growth If you're ready to stop hoping for profit and start protecting it, this episode is your next climb. Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Register for Stop The Scroll on Wednesday, July 29 in Washington, D.C: https://www.dsoa.com/sts Watch our video episodes and subscribe on YouTube here. Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation Follow Olivia Mode-Cater: Instagram: @olivia.modecater | TikTok: @olivia.modecater

    25 min
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4.7
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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. Hosted by Olivia Mode-Cater, a lifelong dance educator and entrepreneur, 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. Olivia Mode-Cater is a CEO, entrepreneur and leader of the Dance Studio Owners Association, the world's largest community of studio owners, and helped scale 2 other major dance businesses into leaders in the industry. Known for her expertise in dance education, business growth, and marketing, she has trained and inspired thousands of studio owners.

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