The Wake-Up Call That Changed My Studio Forever

In this short and powerful episode of the Transform My Dance Studio In this candid and empowering episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, host Olivia Mode-Cater is joined by Inner Circle mentor Kelli Leighton for a real talk on student retention, re-enrollment strategies, and building a culture families can’t imagine leaving.  Kelli opens up about her early years as a studio owner—when she didn’t even know the word “retention”—and the wake-up call that forced her to rethink everything. From creating inclusive pathways for beginners to structuring engaging programs for teens, Kelli shares how she built a thriving studio community where every dancer feels they belong.  Whether you’re struggling to keep recreational dancers, facing parental pressure about level placements, or wondering how to engage senior students, this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence to build loyalty season after season.  What You’ll Learn In This Episode:  Why focusing on why kids stay matters more than why they leave  How to design programs that serve both recreational and competitive dancers  The secret to building belonging: “It’s brave to be a beginner”  Why letting some families go is essential for protecting your community  Practical strategies to boost re-enrollment before recital  How to handle parent expectations about leveling up each year  Engagement tips that actually work for teens (and why music & trends matter)  The role of brand identity in building loyalty and confidence  Why clear communication beats assumptions with parents every time  How retention transforms not just your business, but your culture   If you’re ready to stop the enrollment hamster wheel and finally build a studio families stay with year after year, this episode is for you.  Kelli Leighton is the owner and artistic director of Leighton Dance Project in Folsom, California. A mom of four and an Inner Circle mentor, Kelli is known for building a studio culture rooted in connection, community, and belonging. She’s passionate about creating pathways for every dancer—whether recreational or competitive—and helping studio owners strengthen retention through systems, engagement, and heart-led leadership. Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!

In this short and powerful 10 Minute Marketing episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater drops a marketing truth bomb that could transform the way you approach your social media.  If your posts only speak to strangers, your current families will start to feel like strangers too. Olivia shares her own lessons learned about balancing recruitment with retention, and how showcasing community, student wins, and behind-the-scenes stories builds trust, belonging, and loyalty.  Through practical examples and easy-to-implement strategies, you’ll discover how to stop chasing new enrollments with every post and instead nurture the thriving community that fuels long-term growth.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  The critical 80/20 social media balance every studio owner should follow  Why “nurture content” (not constant selling) actually drives more enrollments  The difference between transactional posts and transformational storytelling  How to capture and share student wins that boost belonging and retention  The power of micro-influencers in your own community—and how to leverage them  Simple recurring post ideas (“Family Friday,” “Why We Dance Wednesday”) to build consistency and connection  Why belonging content creates ripple effects of trust, shares, and referrals  The marketing audit every studio owner needs to do on their feed—today   If you’re ready to transform your feed into a retention powerhouse, this episode is your invitation to take the leap.  Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!

  In this high-impact episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with Inner Circle coach and veteran studio owner Paige Sayegh, who has mastered the art of student retention at scale. With 715 students and a thriving culture built over 31 years, Paige reveals the exact systems, touchpoints, and community-building strategies that keep families coming back year after year.  From surveys that actually get answered to the small details that make every child feel seen, Paige proves that retention isn’t luck—it’s intentional. If you’ve ever blamed drop-offs on cost or scheduling, this episode will challenge you to look deeper and rethink how you connect with students, parents, and staff.  You’ll hear:  The surprising (and subtle) reasons students really leave dance studios  Why belonging and transformation matter more than pricing or scheduling  How to design a customer journey that keeps families engaged for years  Paige’s “breadcrumb strategy” that ensures students always have a next step  Real examples of community events that build loyalty outside the studio walls  How to engage your staff so retention becomes everyone’s responsibility  The bold program shifts that stopped enrollment drop-offs in their tracks  Why today’s families crave “quick wins” and how to deliver them without sacrificing quality  Paige’s #1 bold move every studio owner should take if retention is struggling   If you’re ready to stop crossing your fingers at re-enrollment time and start building a culture of loyalty, this episode is your playbook for retention that lasts.  Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!

Behind every great studio is a story of transformation and this podcast is here to help you write yours.  But The Transform My Dance Studio Podcast is also stepping into its own transformation. In this new chapter, we’re thrilled to officially welcome Olivia Mode-Cater as your host. Olivia goes beyond business tips to bring you the tools, stories, and inspiration that help studio owners not only grow their businesses, but also experience more joy, freedom, and fulfillment in their studio lives. This is your invitation to want more, to do more, and to become more, in and out of the studio. Join host Olivia Mode-Cater, CEO of the Dance Studio Owners Association, as she shares unfiltered conversations, expert insights, and powerful strategies to help you grow your studio without losing the magic. Whether you’re dreaming of opening your first studio or scaling an empire, this podcast is your lifeline for leadership, clarity, and community. Ready to transform? Tune in every Monday! We have also saved you a seat in our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!

In this powerful episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with Joey Coleman, best-selling author of Never Lose an Employee Again, to unpack how dance studio owners can transform their staff retention strategy. From the shocking reality that 4% of new hires quit after just one day to the real #1 reason employees leave (hint: it’s not money), Joey shares actionable tactics to create a workplace where your team doesn’t just stay, they will thrive. You’ll walk away with practical strategies for building connection, designing intentional onboarding, fostering culture, and reigniting passion in your employees and yourself. In this episode you will learn: Why the first 100 days are the most critical for employee retention. The surprising statistics behind why people really quit — and how to prevent it. How to connect deeply with part-time staff and make them feel valued. The difference between orientation and true onboarding (and why it matters). How to use the “Four Rs” framework — Role, Responsibilities, Requirements, Relationships. The power of building friendships at work for long-term retention. Low-cost, high-impact ways to create team bonding and culture. Why celebrating progress is as important as tracking performance. How to reframe leadership from “have to” into “get to.” The concept of “spark appointments” to reignite passion for your work. Joey Coleman is an award-winning speaker and author who has spent nearly 20 years helping organizations worldwide turn customers and employees into raving fans. Known for his engaging keynotes and actionable strategies, he’s shared the stage with top business leaders and bestselling authors. Joey is the author of the #2 Wall Street Journal bestseller Never Lose a Customer Again and Never Lose an Employee Again. Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!

In this revealing episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with Inner Circle mentor and veteran studio owner Sharon Uyar to unpack the real reason so many hiring processes fail and what to do about it. With 1,200 students, 45+ staff, and over two decades of experience, Sharon knows firsthand that finding great people isn’t just about posting a job ad. It’s about how you lead from day one. Together, Olivia and Sharon react to a powerful clip from hiring expert Corey Otten and break down exactly what makes applicants say “yes” to your studio and stay for the long run. You’ll hear personal stories, practical systems, and culture-building strategies that will help you stop scrambling for staff and start building a loyal, thriving team. Whether you’re hiring your first teacher or managing a large staff, this conversation will help you shift from a “just fill the spot” mindset to one that attracts, develops, and keeps the right people. What You’ll Learn: Why the biggest hiring problem might not be your applicants — it might be you How to make candidates want to work for you as much as you want them on your team Simple systems to streamline interview scheduling and follow-up The onboarding process that turns hesitant hires into loyal team members Why corporate or non-dance applicants can become some of your best hires How to build a “pipeline” of future staff from your current students The mindset shift that helps you let go of control and trust your team How to prepare your hiring tools before you actually need them The leadership traits that keep great people from leaving Sharon’s personal onboarding story and the lesson it taught her about culture   Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!

In this raw and revealing episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater is joined by Inner Circle mentor Sharon Uyar and Inner Circle Growth Coach Annie Leese to answer your biggest hiring and retention questions.  From past hiring mistakes to evolving leadership styles, these three seasoned studio pros dig into what actually works (and what definitely doesn’t) when it comes to building a team that carries the mission with you.  Whether you're hiring your first teacher or leading a 40-person team, this episode will challenge you to think differently about culture, accountability, onboarding—and why that "perfect fit" might still need more training than you think.  You’ll hear:  How hiring based on values beats hiring based on skills  The team-damaging mistake Olivia kept repeating—and what finally stopped it  Why some of your best hires might still take a full year to onboard  How to coach high-achieving team members without burning them out  The real reason your "quietest" staff member might be your biggest red flag  Creative strategies for hiring in tough markets or rural areas  Why collaboration and communication matter more than perfection   If you’re tired of doing it all and ready to build a team that grows with you—not just works for you—this episode is your next step.  Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!

What do vet clinics know about team building that dance studios don’t?  In this eye-opening solo episode, Olivia Mode-Cater pulls surprising (and heartwarming) lessons from the veterinary world to help studio owners build stronger, more loyal teams.   Spoiler: it's not just about pay or perks.  It's about purpose, training, and culture.  You’ll learn:  Why hiring for values (not just skills) leads to long-term team retention  How to create a 30/60/90 onboarding plan that actually prevents burnout  What cross-training really looks like (and why it builds trust and freedom)  The small, everyday rituals that turn your studio into a place people want to stay  If you’ve ever felt like your team is one unexpected job offer away from walking out, this episode will give you tangible tools to shift from turnover to loyalty.   Because just like in the vet world, your studio should be a place where people come for more than just a paycheck.  Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!

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.

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.