Dance Studio Scaled: Innovative Marketing|Retention|Biz Growth Strategies for Dance Studio Owners
Episodes
Dear Studio Owner…A Reminder Before the Break
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 p...
A Letter to Our Dance Parents of 2026
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Type A vs Type B Studio Owner: Which One Are You Really?
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 behi...
How to Set Your Team Up for Success in 2026
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If team challenges have been a theme for you this year, you’re not alone. Hiring, aligning expectations, managing commitment, communication gaps… ...
How to Completely Shut Off From the Studio Over Christmas (Without Anything Falling Apart)
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 yo...
Should You Still Be in Hustle Mode or Is It Time to Wind Down?
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
My Exact Process for Planning a Solo Reset & Realign Retreat
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 & R...
The Future of Performing Arts Training: Inside the Act It Out Revolution
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Inside the Business of Dance Conference: My 6 Biggest Takeaways
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Masterclass Replay: The 7 Steps To Build The Ultimate Timetable
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
The Hidden Change in Marketing That Will Decide Who Stands Out in 2026
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Marketing for dance studios is changing faster than most owners realise. In this episode, I’m joined by industry leader Sally Prendergast to unpack ...
Want the Shortcut to Studio Growth? Let’s Map It Out Together
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to growing your studio, I think every one of us has had those late-night thoughts: “Is there a faster way? Am Imissing something? Sure...
The 6-Stage Roadmap to Scaling Your Studio
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us are living at the intersection of creativity and business.And sometimes… that intersection feels more like a head-on collision than a smo...
What Scaling Your Studio Actually Means (And Is It Your Time?)
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s not about having the biggest studio. It’s not about being the loudest or the most popular. It’s not about becoming the most followed accoun...
Here’s What I’d Do With Your Timetable (If We Were on a Coaching Call)
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I want you to imagine we’re on a coaching call together. You’re sitting down with your favourite drink, your 2025 timetable open in front of you, ...
The Exact Place to Begin Your 2026 Studio Planning
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to planning for a new year, there are so many directions you could take. You might start with your big goals, your marketing plan, your ...
If I Was Starting My Studio Again in 2025, I’d Start Here…
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Someone asked me this question the other day:“If you had to start all over again from scratch, what would you do first?”But before I give you that...
The 3 Mistakes I Made Trying to Increase Enrolments
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the three mistakes I made when I was trying to strengthen enrolments and how shifting the focus to ret...
The Exact Scripts I Used to Retain 90%+ Each Year
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The studios that retain 85–90% of their students?It’s not luck...it’s strategy, scripts, and systems.In this episode, I’m sharing the exact sc...
The Traits I Look For When Hiring (It’s Probably Not What You Think)
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After years of hiring, delegating, creating job roles, and navigating different personalities inside the studio, I’ve learned that successful hiring...
Behind the Scenes: How I Built My Studio Manager Role from Scratch
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s tricky, isn’t it? When you know you need help in your business, but you’re not quite sure where to start or what that help should even look...
The Raw And Honest Truth - What I Quietly Rework Behind The Scenes In July
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Even when things were messy and I felt like I was barely keeping my head above water, I always made time in July to look ahead. In this episode, I sha...
The 4-Part Retention Plan That Built My Studio Empire
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I always say, it’s not about how many students you can get....It’s about how many you can keep.Because when you think about it, every time you los...
The Secret to Getting Students to Enrol
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re attracting the right people and making it easy for them to try a class, this part becomes really simple...but only if you’ve done the gr...
If Families Are Enquiring but Not Booking - Here’s What to Do
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of the Simplifying Your Foundations Series, I’m diving into the next step after attracting the right families - enticing them to actually ...
Set The Scene, Set Yourself Apart - How to Boost Student Confidence, Connection & Retention with One Simple Addition
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join me as I sit down with Nadia Vella-Taranto, studio owner,teacher, talent agent, and mum...and the creator of 'Set The Scene.'Founder of Na...
Feeling Pulled in Every Direction? Here’s How I Simplified and Scaled My Studio
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One minute it’s AI, the next it’s TikTok, and somehow you’re also meant to be designing concert packs, replying to enquiries, and thinking about...
What’s Really Stopping You from Getting More Students? (And It May Not Be Your Marketing)
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we’re talking about enrollments and, more specifically, why more marketing might not be the solution you think it is. Becau...
3 Money Leaks That Are Quietly Killing Your Profit And How to Fix Them
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is going to hit home for a lot of you, because we’re digging into something real...Your biggest expenses and whether they’re act...
The Time Saving Systems I Use That Has Changed The Game
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is about systems that actually stick - even if you’ve tried before and fallen off, even if your studio feels more reactive than pl...
How I Learnt To Lead My Team Without Micromanaging
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“How do I get my team to step up… without having to watchover their shoulder 24/7?”If you’re feeling like your team isn’t quite getting it,o...
Studio Culture - The Untold Growth Strategy That Fuels Success
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let me tell you about a studio owner I worked with a couple of years ago...She had great programs, talented dancers, solid marketing, but every term s...
When Everything Feels Urgent - Strategies to Stay on track
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Term 2 is here - and while things may have settled a little after the break, let’s be honest… it never really slows down, does it? You might stil...
7 Simple Steps To Plan Your Next Quarter (Without Overthinking It)
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Now, I know some of you love planning. You’ve got your highlighters ready, your Google calendar open, and a fresh notebook just waiting to be filled...
How Studio Owners Are Using AI To Grow Their Studio
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let’s be honest - most studio owners didn’t start their business to be behind a computer all day. You didn’t step into this role to be buried in...
How I Use AI To Stay One Step Ahead In My Business
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today, I want to take you behind the scenes of something that’s quietly, but significantly, changing the way I run my business—and the way I suppo...
Scaling Your Studio Without Sacrificing Quality (or Your Sanity!)
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You want to grow, you know your studio has the potential to be bigger, more profitable, and more impactful… but there’s this fear in the back of y...
Inside The Mastermind - What Really Happens & Why It Works
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve heard me talk about the Mastermind, but whatactually happens inside? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how we work together,...
134. The Fastest Way to Free up 10+ Hours A Week In Your Studio
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you feel like there’s never enough time, this episodeis for you. We’re talking about the biggest time-drainers in your studio - and the exact s...
133. How High-Performing Studio Owners Think Differently
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Some studio owners spend years stuck in the day-to-day, feeling like they’re always chasing their tail. Others? They find ways to scale, simplify, a...
132. The One Thing Holding Your Studio Back (It’s Not What You Think)
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I’ve worked with so many studio owners who are incredible at what they do. They’re passionate, they love their students, and they’re willing to ...
131. [BONUS EP] The 3 Pieces You Need to Scale Your Studio (And Why Missing One Keeps You Stuck)
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve probably tried everything—more marketing, moreclasses, more hours in the studio—but you’re still feeling stuck. The truth is, growing a...
130. The Difference Between Running a Studio and Growing a Business
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you running your studio, or are you growing yourbusiness?If you want to scale, create more profit, and (let’s bereal) have a life outside your s...
129. My Exact 'Customer Journey' Strategy: Touchpoints, Onboarding & Retention Broken Down
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly replacing students instead of growing your numbers, this episode is for you.I’ll walk you through the...
128. Competing Priorities? How to Do Less but Do it Better in 2025
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever felt like you’re spinning plates and wondering when one’s going to crash, trust me—you’re not alone. But here’s the good ne...
127. New Year Nerves? What I Do To Feel Ready & Confident (even after 30yrs)
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Even after 30 years of running my studio, I’d still feel that familiar mix of excitement and nerves before a new dance year kicked off. If you’re ...
126. Protecting Our Dancers - Essential Steps to Keep Your Studio Safe
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Protecting children isn’t about relying on one single thing —it’s about having many different layers of protection in place. When parents bring ...
125. 5 Ways To Refresh and Reimagine Your Studio for 2025
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about starting the new year with a fresh perspective for your studio and how embracing change can breathe new life into your busin...
124. Leadership Secrets: What Every Dance Studio Owner Should Know
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy, happy New Year and welcome back to the Dance Studio Empire Podcast—I hope you’ve had, or are still enjoying, a well-deserved break. Whether...
123. 5 Simple Steps to Set Your Intentions for 2025
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s New Year’s Eve, and here we are, standing at the edge of a brand-new year. First, let me say thank you for tuning in on such a reflective an...
122. A Christmas Eve Message: Finding Peace and Intention During the Holiday Rush
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From the bottom of my heart, I truly wish you a beautiful Christmas; full of love, connection, and a little bit of magic. And as we wrap up 2024, tak...
121. 10 Mindset Shifts to Help You Start 2025 Strong
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As the year winds down, it’s natural to reflect on what’s worked and what hasn’t in your business. If you’re here thinking, “I know I want ...
120. 5 Simple Ways to Wrap Up the Year (and Truly Switch Off Over the Holiday Break)
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s so tempting to leave it all for “later.” But let’s be honest—if you don’t get some key things done now, they’ll sit in the back of ...
119. [INTERVIEW] Mike Harrison-Lamond: How Dance Arts Alliance is Leading the Way for Change
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this inspiring episode, I chat with Mike Harrison-Lamond, a powerhouse dance industry advocate and the Dance Arts Alliance Vice-Chair. Mike shares...
118. 9 Reasons You’re Losing Potential Enrolments and How to Fix Them
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever stopped to think about your own behaviour when you’re searching for something online or considering making a purchase? It might seem ...
117. The Exact Steps Of My Re-Enrolment Strategy [REPLAY]
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You can spend the next 2 months hoping that your students are going to re-enrol next year, OR, you can listen to this episode on the how, what, and wh...
116. Marketing Reframes That Are Driving Retention and Attraction Right Now
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As studio owners, we’re always balancing the need to maintain consistency with the challenge of standing out in a crowded space. We all know that t...
115. How to Raise Your Prices with Confidence (and with No Guilt)
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many of you have likely been grappling with the decision to raise your fees and how to approach it in a way that aligns with both your business values...
114. 3 Areas AI Flipped The Way I Run My Business
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this year. I attended a conference with my daughter that was all about AI – and to tell you it blew my mind is an understatement. Seeing th...
113. 6 Practical Tips To Get 2025 Planning Started
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are two types of studio owners out there: the ones who are still waiting for 2024 to settle and those who are already deep into planning for nex...
112. Real-time Evolution Of The Dance Business Culture
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past five to ten years, the dance business landscape has seen an incredible transformation ...and even more recently with the exposure to AI ...
111. What Got Your Here, Won't (Necessarily) Get You To Your Next Level
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The skills and tactics that got you to this point are not necessarily the ones that will propel you to the next level. It’s a hard pill to swallow, ...
110. How To Timetable For Maximum Numbers
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Your timetable is one of your biggest selling points for your families. And, I appreciate how challenging timetabling can be each year, I highly sugge...
109. How To Survive This Economic Crisis
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I was talking with a business friend recently, and she mentioned that every conversation she has with other studio owners seem to revolve around how d...
108. 5 Simple Ways To Reset & Refocus for 2024
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How is it we are in July already? How are those goals you set in January tracking? We can get so busy with the day-to-day details and constant to-do...
107. 18 Game-Changing Insights I Learned from 13 Dance Studio Owners Over 3 Days
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I dive deep into the invaluable lessons I gathered from spending three days with 13 incredible dance studio owners. Our retreat was ...
106. [INTERVIEW] TikTok For Studio Culture & Success with Alex Stacey
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I sit down with Alex, the dynamic CEO of Eternity Dance in Melbourne. Known for her prolific presence on TikTok and Instagram, Alex h...
105. [INTERVIEW] Holistic Success: Balancing Business and Wellbeing with Jess Modica Crichton
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jess is changing the landscape of our industry with her holistic approach to running her studio, teaching fitness, and being a mum. This episode is no...
104. My Biggest Mindset Hack When Your Hit Energetic Capacity
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Energetic capacity is the maximum amount of physical, emotional, and mental energy you have available at any given time. When we hit our energetic ca...
103. How To Scale Your Studio Without Burning Out
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Burnout isn’t just about feeling tired. It’s a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. This can manifest i...
102. [INTERVIEW] Leading The Way In Dance Education For Kids With Disabilities with Ali Phillips
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ali Phillips is all about empowering teachers to create safe, inclusive dance spaces for students with disabilities, helping everyone reach their true...
101. The Top 3 Strategies My Members Are Currently Using To Generate Multi 4 & 5 Figure Months
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I share the top three strategies that my members are currently using to generate multi 4 & 5-figure months. These strategies are...
100. The 4 Biggest Shifts Driving Change In The Industry Right Now
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I believe there's a significant shift happening in our industry right now. Studio owners are more impact-driven than ever, but they are also seeki...
99. Should I Burn It All Down, Pivot or Persist?
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
At what point should you walk away? When you’ve been running a studio for some time – it’s only human nature to have the feelings of the highest...
98. How To Manage Your Time Like A CEO
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Less stress, less overwhelm, more time... In this episode, I talk about a new way I’ve been managing my time. This is a concept I was taught by my b...
97. The Key Differences Between Scaling And Growing Your Studio
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Growth is about getting bigger or adding more, while scaling is about optimising and streamlining, so being more strategic. It's about refinement...
96. True Success Comes Back to This One Thing...
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I recently spoke at the Victorian Dance Festival as part of a Business Bootcamp panel. We were asked to share what we believe to be the 1 secret to su...
95. [INTERVIEW] What's Trending In Social Media Right Now with Sally Prendergast
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join me for an informative chat with social media marketing expert, Sally Prendergast. She shares all the latest information that's currently work...
94. [INTERVIEW] Increase Your Income By Creating a Professional Performance Company In Your Studio With Josephine Lancuba
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Josephine Lancuba went from humble beginnings, to successfully creating multi-six-figure performing arts businesses fuelled by passion, joy, and com...
93. [INTERVIEW] Dance Biz Strategist, SM Manager & Creator of LEAP - Kelly Groves
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I chat with the fabulous Kelly Groves. A Performing Arts Professional, Business Coach, and Strategist, Kelly has worked on the floor ...
92. 3 Strategies To Help Manage & Support Your Students Behaviour
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It is a topic consuming many dance teachers and studio owners at the moment. How can you manage and support your student's behaviour when you have...
91. [Interview] Innovation, Evolution & The Future Of Our Industry with Josef Brown
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join me in this episode as I speak with Josef Brown - the co-founder and Managing Director, of The Library Aesthetic Dance Media. The Library Aesth...
90. How Alisa Streamlined Her Business & Doubled Her Income
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the craziness of running a dance studio, the day-to-day grind can sometimes overshadow the potential that lies in simplifying and optimising how yo...
89. How Bri Went From 100 - 275 Students Inside 12 Months
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If there’s any part of you that thinks growing your business means more work, working harder, more effort, more hours, I want you to know that often...
88. The Biggest Mistake Studio Owners Make When It Comes To Their Numbers
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The number 1 mistake we, as studio owners, often make is underestimating the power of our numbers. We see them as mere figures on a spreadsheet, not r...
87. The Only Numbers You Need To Know To Grow Your Studio
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You may or may not have thought about this, but as studio owners, we are surrounded by numbers; Enrolments Retention Sizing for measurements ...
86. Exactly How I Convert 99% Of Our Trials
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While everyone is stepping up their marketing game and enquiries are flooding in (congratulations, by the way!), it really is irrelevant if you don...
85. 5 Secrets To Increasing Studio Enrolments
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The cost of living crisis is having an impact and most studio owners are feeling it - especially with their student enrolment numbers as we return to ...
84. 7 Steps To Becoming The CEO Of Your Studio
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I've been having many conversations lately with studio owners who are curious to know how to find that sweet spot to lead their team confidently a...
83. How I Build My Studio To Blend Lifestyle and Business
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Every choice, every decision – they’re like pieces of a puzzle, meticulously put together to work seamlessly for my dance families, my team, and m...
82. Your New Year Studio Health Check
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
January is such a great time to refresh for a new year. I'm sure you see people setting New Year resolutions, goals, personal fitness, and health ...
81. 4 Mindset Hacks for a Successful 2024
27 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Your mindset impacts every aspect of your dance studio journey. From the beliefs you hold about your capabilities to the actions you take and, ultima...
80. Sharing My Best And Worst of 2023 In Business
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I'm a sucker for hearing how everyone's year unfolded. There's something real and raw about embracing both the wins and the not-so-great ...
78. I Sold My Studio + What's Coming In 2024
17 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
...And, my big news is…drumroll please… that after 30yrs I’ve sold my studio! And today is going to be a real and raw conversation about one of...
79. My 6-Step Planning Process for 2024
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As we approach the end of the year, it's the perfect moment to reflect on the past and set our sights on the future. Whether you call them goals,...
77. How & Why You Should Create Your Operations Manual
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why in the world do I need an operations manual for my dance studio? Essentially, it's the roadmap or blueprint to running an efficient studio. Th...
76. My 2024 Predictions For The Dance Industry
22 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Big shifts are on the horizon – from teacher retention to costume costs, economic impacts on families, and the ever-looming threat of burnout before...
75. Marketing Spending & Seasonal Strategies
15 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As many of you are starting to look for ways to work smarter and not harder, you want to be efficient with your time to work on both the creative and ...
74. The 3 Strategies Million Dollar Studio Owners Do Differently
08 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I talk about the three key strategies that distinguish million-dollar dance studio owners from the rest. I share the principles and ...
73. Where I Spend My Time As CEO Of A Dance Studio
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I reveal the key areas I spend my time as CEO of a dance studio. I discuss prioritising the big picture, investing in key areas, tra...