Dear Studio Owner…A Reminder Before the Break

As studio owners, we spend so much of the year holding space for others. Our dancers. Our families. Our teams. And somewhere along the way, we often put ourselves last.In this final episode for the year, I’m sharing a reminder for you as you head into the break. This episode isn’t about strategy, planning, or doing more. It’s about acknowledging what you’ve carried, giving yourself permission to rest, and finishing the year with intention rather than exhaustion.This episode is a letter to you. A pause. A moment to breathe before the year ends.In this episode, I talk about:The unseen weight studio owners carry year after yearWhy rest is part of leadership, not something you earn after everything is doneLetting go of guilt as you step away from the studioWhy the way you finish the year matters more than how much you squeeze inA reminder of what you’ve built and sustained, even when it felt hardI also share why I’ll be taking a short break from the podcast over the holidays, and what’s coming in the new year.If you’re ready to reconnect with your leadership, gain clarity, and spend time in the room with studio owners who truly get it, I’d love to invite you to the Business of Dance Conference. One day of practical strategy, honest conversations, and support designed specifically for dance studio owners. You can [GET YOUR TICKET HERE]Thank you for being here this year. I’ll be back in January with fresh, inspiring episodes to support you as you step into the next season of your studio and leadership.

This week’s episode is one I didn’t plan. I had something completely different recorded and ready to go, but during my morning run I felt strongly that this message needed to be shared instead.I’ve been in so many conversations with studio owners who are emotionally drained, stretched thin, and dealing with interactions that have left them questioning their capacity and even their future in this industry. Hearing their stories – and feeling the weight they’re carrying – is what prompted me to record today’s episode.This isn’t an attack on parents. It’s simply an invitation to look behind the scenes and understand the emotional load that studio owners hold every day.In this episode, I share: • What I’ve been hearing from studio owners at the end of this year • Why this season has felt heavier than usual • How well-intentioned parents can sometimes miss the bigger picture • The unseen work, thought, and care behind every decision we make • A personal letter I’ve written for dance parents – one many studio owners wish they could shareI also close with a gentle reminder about stepping back, taking time away, and grounding yourself before we head into the new year. You’re doing important work, but you can’t carry it all without space to breathe.If this episode resonates, please share it with another studio owner who might need to feel seen and supported today.

You’ve seen the Type A vs Type B mum trend online… but what does it look like in studio leadership? In this episode, I unpack the real traits behind each style, how they influence your decision-making, and what you need to grow sustainably....................Get your tickets for the Business of Dance Conference [HERE]

If team challenges have been a theme for you this year, you’re not alone. Hiring, aligning expectations, managing commitment, communication gaps… these issues have been coming up in so many conversations with studio owners lately. And while we can’t control every decision our teachers make, we can control how we lead them, support them, and set them up for success.In this episode, I break down the key steps to prepare your teaching team for a strong, confident start to 2026. We talk about the practical actions studio owners can take right now that make the biggest difference: clarity, communication, structure, expectations, and leadership.You’ll learn how to:Provide clear roles and expectations for 2026Communicate your vision and priorities for the new yearUpdate your team documents and teaching resourcesRun a simple but powerful teacher briefingShare a development plan that builds confidence and buy-inPrepare teachers for the crucial first week backStreamline communication channelsBuild trust by acknowledging and celebrating your teamThis is a supportive, practical episode designed to help you start the new year with a confident team, clearer communication, and less stress on your shoulders.If you want 2026 to feel easier, smoother, and more aligned, this conversation will give you the foundation to create that.

Today, I’m walking you through exactly what needs to be done before Christmas so you can shut off your studio and yourbrain… and actually enjoy your break, your family, and the breathing space you’ve earned.This is practical. It’s doable. And honestly, it’s the difference between starting 2026 exhausted or starting it clear and incontrol.Let’s get into it.

You’re passionate. You care deeply. You give everything to your dancers, your team, your families.So, of course, when things get busy, your natural instinct is to go harder. To push through.That’s your hustle reflex kicking in. It’s protective — it’s how you’ve always gotten things done....But the problem is, that reflex doesn’t know when to stop.Even when the finish line’s in sight, you’re still sprinting....And before you know it, you’ve spent another December in survival mode, and start January exhausted!

This week, I want to take you behind the scenes of something that has become one of the most powerful rituals in my business — my solo Reset & Realign Retreat.No family, no work calls, no interruptions...and it changed everything. It gave me clarity, perspective, and energy again.Now, it’s non-negotiable.

In this episode, I’m joined by Zoe Trilsbach and Kristy Wright - the powerhouse duo behind Act It Out, a progressive, curriculum-based drama program that’s reshaping the way performing arts is taught across Australia.We dive into how their experience in the industry inspired them to create a program that bridges the gap between studio training and real-world performance careers. Zoe and Kristy share how Act It Out goes beyond fun weekly classes to develop measurable skills in confidence, communication, creativity, and consent.Whether you’re a dance studio owner looking to expand your offering or simply curious about where performing arts education is heading, this conversation will give you fresh insight into how structure and creativity can work hand in hand to prepare the next generation of performers.

After an incredible weekend at the Business of Dance Conference in Perth, I walked away with a notebook full of insights and today, I’m sharing the six biggest lessons I learned (and how you can apply them to your studio before 2026).In this episode, I unpack what it really means to be in a room full of growth-minded studio owners and why proximity, leadership, simplicity, and presence are the real game-changers for your business.We’ll talk about:Why the right environment shifts your standardsHow to lead with calm, confident energyThe importance of simplifying your strategy before the new yearTurning ideas into action (without waiting for the perfect moment)Why culture and connection matter more than any marketing planWhether you were at the conference or watching from afar, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and finish the year with clarity and direction.Listen now to gain perspective, reignite your leadership, and take a few actionable lessons into 2026.

Timetabling is one of those jobs that hangs over you.You’ll get it done...but it usually costs a few late nights, too many spreadsheets, and a lot of second-guessing.But here’s what I believe now:Your timetable is one of the most powerful tools in your studio.Not because of what goes where, but because of what it unlocks.In this replay, I walk you through the 7 steps to designing an intentional timetable that can unlock the next level of growth for your studio.Tickets for the Business Conference are still available:[Click Here] to get one