Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most effective ways to grow your dance studio—but only if you have a system in place to encourage and reward referrals. In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio podcast, Inner Circle mentor Heather Jackson shares how to set up a referral program that practically runs itself. Discover simple, proven ways to motivate your current dance families to spread the word, leading to increased enrollment without additional marketing stress.

Effortless Growth: Referral Programs That Work

Today’s studio families want more than just great classes — they want to see growth and feel the progress.

In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Inner Circle Growth Coach Annie Leese reveals:

- How strategic use of simple class videos can dramatically boost loyalty and re-enrollment

- Easy ways to highlight student achievements without turning into a full-time content creator

- How to use video to celebrate growth, strengthen parent trust, and build a studio culture students never want to leave

Crucial tips for privacy, permission, and staying legally protected when using student videos

Whether you are trying to keep more students after recital season or build a stronger studio brand, this episode will help you leverage video as one of your most powerful and underused retention tools.

Plus, join our free Facebook group for studio owners for even more templates, strategies, and real-time examples: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theDSOA

Why Smart Studios Are Using Video to Double Their Retention Rates

After a 5-year break, the Dance Teacher Summit is back — and bigger than ever! Chantel Feola joins us to share what’s new, what’s returning, and why this year’s event is a must for studio owners and teachers. From iconic faculty and business trainings to app-powered networking and the return of the ACE Awards, you’ll get the inside scoop on how to make the most of your trip (and bring your team or family, too!).

🎟️ Register now at DanceTeacherSummit.com and use code DSOA100 for $100 off.

What You NEED TO KNOW About The Dance Teacher Summit's Return!

Are you constantly pushing, hustling, and burning out—just to prove you're doing enough? In this powerful episode, we’re breaking down the lie that your value is tied to how hard you work. Discover why mindset is truly 80% of the work when it comes to leading your studio with purpose, clarity, and confidence.

You’ll walk away with a renewed perspective on success, rest, and what it really means to show up for your studio—and yourself.

Want to keep the conversation going? Join hundreds of dance studio owners in our free community: facebook.com/groups/theDSOA

You Don't Have To Be A Workhorse To Be Worthy

What’s really keeping studio owners up at night? In this first-of-its-kind episode, we’re handing the mic over to Inner Circle mentors Kelli Leighton and Loren Specht to tackle the raw, real, and relatable questions from studio owners just like you.

From building teams and stepping out of the classroom to shifting your mindset and revamping your curriculum—nothing’s off-limits in this unfiltered conversation. Whether you're a brand-new studio owner or a seasoned vet navigating growth, you’ll walk away with powerful insights on:

- Why mindset is 80% of the work

- How to stop overworking and start leading with intention

- What truly drives retention in today’s dance landscape

- How to serve both high and low commitment families without losing your mission

👉 Continue the conversation and get your questions answered inside our free DSOA Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/theDSOA

ANSWERED LIVE: Dance Studio Owner Questions You're Too Afraid To Ask

In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, we’re taking you behind the scenes for a powerful Inner Circle conversation with studio owner and mentor Kelli Leighton.

Together, we explore what happens when you shift your mindset from survival mode to service-driven leadership. Inspired by executive coach Craig Burns, this episode dives into the emotional patterns, limiting beliefs, and default narratives that can hold dance studio owners back—from growth, from rest, and from the financial success they deserve.

Kelli opens up about:

- How she learned to stop taking feedback personally

- Letting go of the “hustle = worth” mentality

- Reframing help at home as a form of support, not failure

- What it really means to run a real business in the dance world

- Why it’s time to stop apologizing for wanting sustainability and success

If you’ve ever felt like you're carrying the weight of your studio on your back, this episode will remind you: You’re not alone—and you’re allowed to thrive.

👉 Continue the conversation in our free Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/theDSOA

The Price of Passion: When Studio Owners Stop Paying Themselves

Studio owners, this one’s for the do-it-all leaders running on fumes. If you’ve ever felt like the pilot, the crew, the mechanic, and the air traffic control of your business — all at once — it’s time to rethink your flight plan.

In this episode, we’re borrowing wisdom from the skies to bring you aviation-grade self-care. You’ll learn:

- Why flying solo isn’t sustainable (and what it’s really costing you)

- What a “co-pilot” looks like inside your studio

- How to use checklists as one of the most powerful leadership tools

- Why rest isn’t optional — it’s regulation

If you’re ready to lead smarter, not harder, tune in. Because the view at 35,000 feet is only worth it if you arrive in one piece.

DM us or tag us @dancestudioownersassociation to tell us:

- Who your co-pilot is (or who you wish it was)?

- The first checklist you're committing to build this week

Let’s build aviation-grade leadership, together.

CEO Checklists & Co-Pilots: Your New Self-Care Strategy

In this powerful and personal episode, Olivia is joined by Cara Moeller Poppitt—Inner Circle studio growth coach, founder of two award-winning companies, top 5% podcast host, and author of the new book *Big Freaking Change*. Cara shares why so many dance studio owners feel stuck—and reveals the science behind why waiting until you’re “ready” is actually keeping you from the growth you deserve.

You’ll hear about her 8-step Cycle of Change model, the myth of confidence, and how to reclaim momentum in both life and business. If you’ve ever second-guessed your next move or felt like you had to do it all perfectly—this conversation will shift everything.

Ready or not… this episode will inspire you to take bold action.

The Confidence Myth: Why You’re More Ready Than You Think

What if everything you’ve been told about marketing is outdated? In this short solo episode, Olivia breaks down a powerful new metric that’s changing how studio owners think about enrollment: time on trust. Instead of chasing likes and followers, what if you focused on creating 47 minutes of bingeable, emotional content?

You’ll learn:

- Why polished, perfect content isn’t converting

- How to build “content series” that hook your audience

- The 3 big marketing mistakes studio owners are still making

- Simple strategies to turn your feed into a binge-worthy experience

This episode is your permission to stop performing for the algorithm and start creating content that connects. If you’re ready to rewire your studio’s marketing approach and boost enrollment faster, hit play.

47 Minutes To Trust: The New Marketing Strategy Dance Studios Can’t Ignore

Marketing isn’t just about strategy—it’s about capacity. In this honest Q&A panel, Heather, Nadine, and Olivia talk about what’s really stopping studio owners from showing up consistently: it’s not a lack of desire, it’s the mental load of doing it all.

You’ll hear:

- Why feeling overwhelmed makes it harder to market (and what to do instead)

- The real reason so many studio owners procrastinate delegation

- How to rebuild marketing momentum without needing more time or energy

- What to prioritize when you don’t know where to start

If you’ve ever opened Instagram, stared at your to-do list, and thought, “I just can’t today”—this episode will help you find your way back into confident, consistent action.

Overwhelmed or Unmotivated? The Truth Behind Why You’re Not Taking Action

In this powerful response to a message from an Inner Circle training with Sean Gaffney, Heather and Olivia unpack what’s really going on when your marketing feels like it’s falling flat. This episode isn’t about hacks or trends—it’s about what happens when you’re showing up online, but still not seeing results.

You’ll learn:

- Why visibility without connection won’t convert

- What to do when your content feels like it’s not landing

- How to shift your mindset from self-promotion to service

- The subtle difference between being seen and being felt

If you’ve ever asked, “Why am I doing all this and still not getting enrollments?”—this episode offers the clarity and shift you need to reframe your marketing from the inside out.

Effortless Growth: Referral Programs That Work

Transform My Dance Studio

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