FabJob Guide To Become A Dance Studio Owner

FabJob Guide to Become a Dance Studio Ownersource of growth for the industry over the next five years, particularlyfor ballroom dancing classes.According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics(quoted at nceStudios-Schools-Halls.html):3,630 people were employed by dance schools, studios, and halls in2001. Management occupations accounted for just over 3.5 percentwith general and operations managers accounting for 910 of the1,240 total management positions and reported a mean annual salaryof 46,140. For the mere 40 chief executive officers listed, the meanannual salary was 61,460. Self-enrichment education teachers, witha mean annual salary of 33,180, accounted for nearly 30 percent ofthe industry’s jobs, and choreographers, with a mean annual salaryof 32,080, accounted for another third of jobs. Dancers numbered2,360, or 7 percent of the jobs, with a mean annual salary of 27,040.Office and administrative support positions totaled 12.5 percent of theindustry’s jobs.In Canada, there were over 17,000 establishments that provided arts,entertainment, and recreation services in 2007, according to StatisticsCanada, which does not break down figures by type of schools. Likeschools in the United States, the majority are small, independently runschools with a sole proprietor.1.2.2 Dance TrendsDance trends vary based on geographic location, demographics, andother market preferences, but interest remains high in social andrecreational dancing such as ballroom dance. It probably doesn’tsurprise you that television shows are one trend driver. While peoplehave always danced, an increasing number of people want to learn howto dance thanks to popular television shows such as So You Think YouCan Dance and Dancing With the Stars.In some areas, Latin dance is immensely popular among students ofall age levels. Interest generally is highest among adults, but evenyoung children enjoy it, with classes offered to preschoolers in “BabySamba” and cha-cha. Teens often take classes in Latin-inspired dances,or Latin fusion classes, such as Zumba, which combines Latin danceand aerobics.Copyright 2016 FabJob Inc. www.fabjob.com 10

FabJob Guide to Become a Dance Studio OwnerOther trends are dances that combine elements from one or more dancestyles. Often called fusion, these dances are known by names some asFunk Fusion, AfroFusion, or, a new name, such as Zumba. Some danceinstructors create their own styles of dance by combining movementsand techniques from different dance styles.Renuka Srinivasan, owner of Tala Shruti School of Dance, says, “Theemerging trend is to combine or fuse two or more forms of dancetogether. Any aspiring dancer or teacher would do well to train in a newform, other than the dance form they are experts in.” This is preciselywhat Renuka is doing. A trained exponent of Bharatanatyam fromSouthern India, Renuka started learning Western dance three yearsago and has gone on to win awards in Western dance. “My desire isto combine the two forms of dance to create something unique andcontemporary.”1.3 Benefits of Being a Dance Studio OwnerOwning a dance studio can be a fulfilling and rewarding career. Inaddition to the benefits of working for yourself, it offers the possibilityto shape the size and type of your business according to your ownpreferences and personal ambitions. You can work to establish a studiothat turns a profit and provides a fair income or expand into a muchlarger studio once you have become established and profitable. You canoffer the dance classes you want, create the environment you want, andoffer the services you want—it’s all up to you and your own personalgoals and ambitions.Share Your Passion for DanceFor dance studio owners who are also dancers, owning a studio givesthem the opportunity to pursue one of their strongest interests and tostay involved in the world of dance. The studio allows them to sharethe joy, the passion, the excitement, and the thrill that dancing bringsto them.This benefit is perhaps universal as it was mentioned by many ofthe people we interviewed for this book. Eliza Minden, author ofThe Ballet Companion and founder of Gaynor Minden, describes itsuccinctly as “Knowing that you are bringing joy to people’s lives.”Copyright 2016 FabJob Inc. www.fabjob.com 11

FabJob Guide to Become a Dance Studio OwnerMarie Sunderland, director and choreographer of Red Desert DanceCompany, says, “We often dance at senior citizens homes and forveterans and the joy that it brings them is such a huge reward, nothingbeats that.”Margot T. McCray Gough, founder and artistic director of MTM DanceFactory, describes one of the moments in her studio that makes it allworthwhile: “There is nothing more exhilarating then the feeling ofbeing in the spotlight, accomplishing your goals, overcoming yourfears and making your dreams a reality. It is just like when you were7 years old ready to dance in your first recital there are butterfliesin your stomach and a rush of energy in your fingertips and toes. Itfeels like your feet are not touching the ground and you think how amI going to remember the choreography, but not only do you survive itbut you get an enormous response. This is just like seeing the resultsof all the hard work and time put into your dance studio. As a studioowner you get to see the progress of your dancers and you know youare instrumental in that.”Help Others Develop as DancersMany dance studio owners get started in this business because theywant to share their knowledge of dance and help others develop theirdancing ability. Knowing they have nurtured an interest in dance andhelped others become skillful dancers is one of their greatest benefits.In fact, several of the dance experts we interviewed for this bookemphasized how important this was to them.Renuka Srinivasan, owner of Tala Shruti School of Dance, said, “I amespecially grateful for the opportunity to be able to inspire the youngergeneration, as well as motivate them and transmit important aspects ofthe culture to them. When I see the result in an exceptionally talenteddancer, my heart fills with pride.” Pat George Mitchell, owner of PatGeorge Mitchell’s Studio of Creative Arts, told us, “The most rewardingaspect of my career has been developing a child’s ability in dance andnurturing their vessel from early childhood thru age eighteen or until Ican get them to a level whereby they can be accepted to a professionalschool to develop their dance career.”Raisa Bersten, owner of The Magic Ballroom, points out anotherclosely related benefit. She opened up her dance studio “to get theCopyright 2016 FabJob Inc. www.fabjob.com 12

FabJob Guide to Become a Dance Studio Ownerbest instructors to come and teach my kids.” For parents who want toprovide high-quality dance instruction for their own children and areunable to provide it themselves, opening up a studio is one way to getit, especially in areas with limited studios or that lack the type of danceinstruction desired.Be a Respected Member of the Arts CommunityMany dance studio owners have become respected member of thearts community. Just think about names like Arthur Millar or FredAstaire, both of whom owned their own dance studios. Not only that,but they also taught many celebrities to dance. Whether it’s your ownlocal arts community who seek you out for your dance professionalismand knowledge, or it’s the wider world of dancing fame and fortune,owning a dance studio gives you the chance to become well respectedand perhaps even famous yourself.Financial RewardsWhile money isn’t everything—not a single dance studio ownersurveyed gave financial rewards as the main reason for opening astudio—making a profit is essential in order to stay in business. Studioowners can easily earn profits from the low 20,000s to 200,000 ormore a year. Profits depend on the size of the studio, the target market,services offered, and reputation.1.4 Inside This GuideThe FabJob Guide to Become a Dance Studio Owner is organized to helptake you step-by-step through the basics you will need to open andoperate your own studio. The chapters are organized as follows:Chapter 2 (“Dance Studio Basics”) describes the different types of dancestudios and the types of dance instruction offered in both. It describesthe variety of dance styles, the reasons people obtain dance instruction,and the different types of dance students as well as additional servicesand products you can offer. It also explains the roles performed bydance studio personnel.Copyright 2016 FabJob Inc. www.fabjob.com 13

FabJob Guide to Become a Dance Studio OwnerChapter 3 (“Getting Ready”) explains how to learn the skills youwill need as a dance studio owner. It covers ways of learning fromexperts and through observation. You will also discover ways you cancommunicate and learn from dance studio owners around the world.You’ll find numerous resources for learning more—about running abusiness and running a dance studio.Chapter 4 (“Starting Your Dance Studio”) will help you decide what kindof dance studio you should open. This chapter discusses how to selectyour niche and will help you decide whether to buy an existing studio,operate a franchise, or open a new studio. It also explains what youneed to get started, including your business plan, start-up financing,studio name, and other important matters.Chapter 5 (“Setting Up Your Dance Studio”) offers the information youneed to actually set up your dance studio. It gives advice on how tochoose a location, arrange your studio, and discover what equipmentand supplies you will need. It also explains how to get started settingup your classes by creating a studio calendar, class schedule, and studiopolicies.Chapter 6 (“Running Your Business”) takes you into the day-to-daychallenge of running your dance studio once it’s open. It explains howto develop an operations manual, manage payments, keep financialrecords, and manage and hire your employees.Chapter 7 (“Getting and Keeping Customers”) gives you tips and tools formarketing your business, providing exceptional customer service, andgrowing your business. You’ll learn about effective marketing tools,ways to keep customers coming back, and much more.By following the steps in this guide, you will be well on your way toliving your dream of opening your own successful dance studio.You have reached the end of the free sample of the FabJob Guide toBecome a Dance Studio Owner. To order and download the completeguide go to er/.Copyright 2016 FabJob Inc. www.fabjob.com 14

dance-inspired television shows, as well as rising interest in dance as an alternate form of exercise and physical fitness.In particular, dance studios offering Latin-inspired, fusion and ballroom dance classes have benefited from rising consumer demand Over the next five years to 2018, the Dan