Your Own Dance Studio

OPENING A DANCE STUDIO

1. INTRODUCTION

Dance instructors have the experience and knowledge required to supply dance lessons, but they have a venue to show their craft. A dance studio provides instructors with space to supply dance lessons, including both group classes and personal sessions.

Identifying your niche will put you in the right position to start out your own dance studio.

1. BENEFITS

It is a daring adventure to start dance studio ownership and it takes perseverance to realize success over time. Here may be a list compiled from a heart-to-heart conversation with a number of our studio owner friends and members.

Given below are some benefits for opening a Dance Studio is given below:

Get comfortable being uncomfortable

Running a dance studio isn’t for the faint of heart or for those that don’t love a challenge 24/7. None folks really know what tomorrow will bring, use the joys of uncertainty to fuel your creativity instead of drain it.

Trust your gut

Let that not-so-good for your studio parent or teacher go sooner instead of later. It’s often the hardest thing to do but you’ll be better off in the long run.

Put important business decisions in writing

Set clear expectations on everything from the people you hire and serve to the products you purchase. Misunderstandings are the source of most dance studio drama.

Know how to reply to a complaint versus reacting to at least one

Responding requires careful consideration and professionalism. Reacting is typically a knee-jerk emotional response in defense. Not everyone needs an immediate answer or attention. Be in control of your communications.

Know your strengths and use them to your advantage

Don’t spend time fixing or apologizing for areas where you’re weak, there’s somebody else who can do the bookkeeping, cleaning, and music editing. Focus your energy on where you shine.

Educate yourself on what it takes to run a successful business

There are no magic shortcuts for success. Look at the numbers. Create a plan. It takes consistent, daily effort to grow and improve.

Build your confidence around saying No

Just. Say. No. Don’t let the fear of losing students blur your judgment. In fact, the more clear you get with boundaries, the happier everyone becomes because they trust that your no means no.

Get clear on what you would like to be known for

Do what it takes to stay investing in and improving your skills as an educator, business owner, and leader.

It takes a team

Even if that team includes your mom, sister, children, spouse, neighbor, and friend. You cannot do it all alone, don’t feel like you’re failing by not doing it all. In fact, longevity requires a team.

1. SPACE AND INVESTMENT REQUIRED MINIMUM

Before you continue with any further planning, you need to be well aware of how much you are able to spend on the different elements of owning your own dance studio.

• Rent/mortgage on a space
• Utilities for space
• Start-up expenses (e.g. renovations, mirrors, seating, storage, paint, equipment)
• Advertising and marketing
• Payroll for employees and dance instructors

It is possible that you might need to take out a loan or obtain investors to start your business. Know what you are getting into before you officially sign any agreements.

Your location determines the type of clientele you will attract to your business.

Starting your dance studio during a very family-friendly neighborhood will likely bring you a great many kids, so if you’re curious about marketing your dance studio to children, then keep this in mind.

Think about what a part of the town you select for the situation. If you’re looking to supply ethnic sorts of dance, for instance, then opening your studio in a neighborhood of town where people of that ethnicity live is sensible.

Try to plan for your studio to open in an area where it will be highly visible to the community, such as on a busy road. It may be more expensive, but with traffic driving by constantly, your building is advertising itself to all of the passersby.

Consider how much you can afford to spend on renting or buying your dance studio space. If you are in a large city, for example, then renting or buying a space in the downtown area is likely extremely expensive. Look in areas of your town or city where the rates are in your price range.

Think about the safety of the area. A particular area of town might be more affordable, but if it has a higher crime rate, then it is likely not worth it. You want your clientele to feel safe once they attend classes at your studio.

Dance studios can increase their revenue by offering special events, like guest dance instructors and recitals. They can also hire out any performance space they need for dance-themed parties and other events.

1. PRACTICAL SKILL REQUIRED

Opening A Dance Studio Checklist

While this information is necessary, sometimes a checklist is the best way to manage your tasks. Here’s your roadmap, with more information below on each of those points.

• Apprentice at a studio you respect
• Prepare for the many roles you’ll take on
• Build a name for yourself in your community
• Create your dance studio business plan (and estimate the finances involved!)
• Find your perfect studio location
• Develop your systems and processes
• Set up your studio space
• Hire your dance studio staff
• Get the word out with marketing
• Start from a place of organization

Shadow A Studio Or Owner You Respect, In particular, make note of:

• What problems occur and how they solve them
• How money comes in and out of the business
• The different roles staff members play
• How the studio handles marketing
• How the studio communicates with parents and students

Prepare For The Many Roles You’ll Take On. Beyond choreographing and teaching classes, you’re the one that has got to keep the various parts of the business running. Some of those roles include:

Dance studio manager: You’ll confirm schedules and daily activities are running smoothly. You will need to be able to communicate what you want, what needs to improve and ensure that your staff is focused on your goals.

Mentor: a day, you’ll embody the work ethic and attitude you expect staff members and students to require on themselves.

Entrepreneur: Your work doesn’t stop when the studio opens. You will still grow and develop new studio plans. As an entrepreneur, you’ll also be heavily involved in marketing, community outreach, events coordination, customer service, and much more.

1. ACADEMIC REQUIRED

 Dance Instructors use movement, usually to the accompaniment of music, to express emotions and tell stories. There is a spread of various sorts of dance you’ll specialize in from ballroom to ballet. As a dance instructor, you will usually be doing choreographed (pre-planned) routines, though there are some forms of free-form dancing where you will need to improvise.

Many professional dancers train at a vocational school, with an intensive three-year degree or diploma or a one-year postgraduate course in professional dance or musical theatre.

To get a relevant degree or diploma you may need five GCSEs A-C, including maths and English and science, and at least two A levels. There are not any specific subjects required but relevant ones would come with dance and drama.

The most relevant vocational course would be a BTEC Diploma in Performing Arts.

1. ANY LEGAL FORMALITIES REQUIRED

Establishing a legal business entity like an LLC prevents you from being personally liable if your dance studio issued. There are many business structures to settle on from including Corporations, LLC’s, and DBA’s

Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is important for private asset protection.

Open a business bank account

This separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is important for private asset protection.

It also makes accounting and tax filing easier.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses could also be needed to work a dance studio business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state

Service Agreement

Dance studios should consider requiring clients to sign a service agreement before starting a replacement project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize the risk of legal disputes by beginning payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and property ownership.

Music Licensing

Dance lessons typically involve music. In order to supply music during a business setting, permission must be acquired from the composer or license holder. Typically, it’s possible to get a “blanket” license allowing businesses to play music owned by an outsized catalog of artists and recording studios.

Certificate of Occupancy

To start this type of business, owning or leasing a physical dance studio is a must. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that each one building code, zoning laws, and government regulations are met.