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In the grand finale of our Inner Circle Retreat Sneak Peek, Jesse Cole hosts a Q&A all about standing out, creating attention, and cultivating an amazing customer experience.  Jesse is the founder of Fans First Entertainment, owner of the Savannah Bananas and author of Find Your Yellow Tux. He has welcomed more than 1 million fans to his ballpark and been featured on MSNBC, CNN and ESPN. 🌟 Listen to the 3-part podcast series with Jesse, if you’ve missed it!

In the second part of our Inner Circle Retreat Sneak Peek, Jesse Cole shares how to develop a “fans first” mentality that will earn you both attention and word of mouth referrals. 🙌 Plus, discover how to never lose a customer again with his step-by-step plan to impress customers after the sale.

This week we’re kicking off a brand new podcast series! For the next 3 weeks, you’ll be getting an Inner Circle Retreat Sneak Peek with Jesse Cole. ☀️ Our first episode is all about creating the ultimate customer experience. Using the Raving Fans and Customer for Life techniques, Jesse walks our listeners through the strategy that transforms ordinary customers into loyal ones.

In the final episode of our Innovate & Thrive series, Kelli Leighton shares the moments when her creativity thrives, and it’s not what you might expect.  As a mom of 4, Kelli shares that she somehow finds her creativity and innovation amongst the chaos (which may or may not include hiding in the closet from her 3 year old twins 😅). Instead of fighting the chaos, Kelli encourages us to embrace it and use it as our secret weapon.

Innovation is what distinguishes between a leader and a follower 💡 In the Episode 5 of 6: Innovate To Thrive Podcast, Kelli Leighton tells us about the most successful new role she’s created on her team that helped change their mindset on approaching challenges, finding solutions, and never using the words "but that's how we've always done it".

Is your brand a true representation of where your business is heading, or is it a reflection of just how it's always been done?  In this podcast episode, our host of the Innovate To Thrive series, Kelli Leighton shares the 3 keys on how to navigate through the innovation process 🚀 and the dangers of listening to alumni and besties during a rebrand.

Whether we like it or not, being open to change is crucial for running a successful business and in this week’s episode of the Transform My Dance Studio podcast, guest host Kelli Leighton is sharing some of her most vulnerable moments in order to inspire you in finding and protecting your vision. “Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity and not as a threat.”In episode #3 of this limited series “Innovate & Thrive” with Kelli Leighton, you’re invited to join us as we take a deep dive into: What it really took for studio owners to constantly pivot and innovate every single day through the pandemic, and the lessons we can take into the future. How to keep the innovative mindset that we have each been forced to create, and how to flex and reshape it into a muscle that is an asset to our business. What could happen if we allow ourselves to continue breaking out of our established patterns in order to look at things in a new way. Kelli also shares the unlimited thinking strategies she has used in a way that ensures she is always managing change on her own terms. “Innovation is change that unlocks new value.”

Is your business truly a reflection of your vision?  Or is it a collection of other people's opinions and definitions of success? 🤔 In part 2 of her podcast series, Innovate to Thrive, Kelli Leighton is sharing 3 big, scary questions she asked herself, her staff, and her most loyal clients that lead to a decision to rebuild her entire business.

  This week we are so delighted to be introducing a brand new 6-week series here on the podcast, with guest host Kelli Leighton for the inspiring ‘Innovate & Thrive' series, powered by the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast. Kelli is not only a member and guest coach inside the Dance Studio Owners Inner Circle, she is also the Owner and Artistic Director of Leighton Dance Project in California. Just like so many dance studio owners, Kelli is a “creative” at heart, but what makes Kelli stand out as a leader in our industry is her ability to harness her creativity into innovation and action! Over the next 6 weeks Kelli will help you discover the difference between being creative and innovative, and share her tools and tips for turning your dreaming into doing. Kelli will show you how you too can lead a creative, forward-thinking business through innovation and acting upon your creativity. You’ll finally discover how to use your creative brain as your secret weapon! When Kelli’s business was struggling most, she realized that if she could learn to bring her innovative self to the table in every aspect of her business, she could actually enjoy both the creative and the business aspects of owning a dance studio. Because it wasn't enough to be just creative. Anyone can come up with creative ideas, but so few are able to put them into action, and in this groundbreaking episode, Kelli shares the 3 keys that have helped her develop and execute the innovative ideas that have translated into a thriving, million-dollar dance business.  

In this week’s grand finale of our 3-part Inner Circle Retreat special, our extraordinary guest speaker Laurieann Gibson is answering our Inner Circle member’s most pressing questions in a never-before shared Q&A panel!Laurieann shares her insights into: How to ensure that new hires and guest teachers in your studio are aligned with your vision and follow your studio rules (especially those who might be higher-status or higher-maintenance than others! Recognizing when it is time to collaborate and diversify when you experience stagnation in your studio’s growth Helping your competitive dancers to navigate negative feedback and adopting a warrior mindset as a group Laurieann also shares her tips for understanding and facing adversity in a productive way, and digging deep into what your challenges really mean.

You're invited into the Dance Studio Owners Inner Circle Retreat with this podcast exclusive - a sneak peak into Laurieann Gibson's powerful session: Dance Your Dance - Part Two. Your dream, your dance, is unique to you. No matter your calling, Laurieann wants you to seize your passion and use it to propel you to your best life. Drawing on her fascinating artistic experiences and the faith that sustained her through her biggest challenges, Laurieann will discuss ways to encourage the dreamer in you and your teachers and students. ABOUT LAURIEANN: One of the most important pop culture influencers in the entertainment today, director/choreographer/artist Laurieann Gibson is a force to be reckoned with. Counting numerous international superstars such as Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Diddy, Akon, K-pop's Big Bang, and Nicki Minaj among her clients, Gibson brings a unique brand, blending traditional artist development with movement and dance training to their collaborations. Combined with a distinctive creative eye and an artist in her own right, she is one of the most sought-after creative directors and choreographers in the music and film industries today.  She was the creative visionary, director, and choreographer behind Gaga’s “The Fame Monster World Tour 2010”, receiving a 2011 Creative Emmy nomination for directing the HBO special taped at Madison Square Garden. She was a choreographer for MTV’s hit television show “Making the Band”, and since then, she has appeared as a judge on several reality shows. She is also the published author of Dance Your Dance: 8 Steps to Unleash Your Passion and Live Your Dream.

You're invited into the Dance Studio Owners Inner Circle Retreat with this podcast exclusive - a sneak peak into Laurieann Gibson's powerful session: Dance Your Dance - Part One. Your dream, your dance, is unique to you. No matter your calling, Laurieann wants you to seize your passion and use it to propel you to your best life. Drawing on her fascinating artistic experiences and the faith that sustained her through her biggest challenges, Laurieann will discuss ways to encourage the dreamer in you and your teachers and students.

Studio Growth Week is here, and what better way to kick things off than with our EPIC final episode of the Connection To Creation series with your guest host, Cara Poppitt! In the C2C grand finale, Cara is here to shed some light on building your thriving business so that you can enjoy a fulfilling life personally, professionally, creatively AND financially. She also shares her actionable tips that will empower you to make a significant impact in your community along the way. This week you’ll discover: How to shift your mindset from ‘director’ to ‘leader’ and why it matters The tools you need to become a problem-solver and the changes you can expect to see when you being responding instead of reacting  Tips for managing the unexpected in your business and life, and seeing opportunities in every conflict The power of accountability and celebration when bonding your team    And so much more! DON’T FORGET - Studio Growth Week is happening this week, and it’s not too late to register! Click here to save your free space in this value-packed training ⇒ dsoa.com/growthweek Don't forget - Studio Growth Week starts TODAY! In case you missed the 411, this is a full week of FREE and unique studio sessions designed to make your life easier and allow you to run a smoother studio. We’re covering strategies to help you: Increase your new student numbers over the next 90 days Automate key systems & save time with fully integrated studio software from Jackrabbit Dance Foster authenticity & connection among your team to keep top talent happy & motivated Re-enroll & retain more students with our proven processes Peek behind the curtain to see real data and industry benchmarks from 4,000+ studios It’s not too late to register >> https://dsoa.com/growthweek

One of the topics that a lot of Dance Studio Owners from all over the world are struggling with in 2022 is the leadership role they play in their studio. Leading your team takes a lot of time to refine, and if this is an area you feel insecure about in your business then there are 2 pieces of great news in today’s podcast episode:1/ You’re not alone, and 2/ It’s not too late!Great leadership takes experience, and the only way you’re going to get there is by DOING, and in this week’s episode of Connection To Creation Cara will walk you through the action steps you can take to drastically improve your leadership confidence, including: The importance of showing up - not just for your team, but also for yourself. How tapping into your confidence will result in more intention decision-making and calmer conversations The key factors in reducing pressure, stress and anxiety when leading from your higher level Why you need to flex your confidence muscle every single day in order for it to grow The empowering questions you should be asking yourself as part of your daily routine Cara also gives you the roadmap to confidence by sharing the steps you can start taking right now to lead with confidence and connection. “As studio owners we are teaching young girls how to show up in life. And if you can start really being dedicated to showing up for yourself, making yourself a priority, and showing women that it's okay to do that. We all rise up a little bit higher together.”

In this week's value-packed episode, guest host Cara Poppitt is sharing her hottest tips and tools to help you empower your team through connection. As studio owners, to empower our team it's important to come from an authentic place in order to achieve the results that we desire while minimizing some of the common frustrations that we come up against when it comes to our TEAMS. In this episode, Cara dives into: Why it's important to care for your team members in order for them to reach their potential The risks that you come up against when beng reactive, and operating out of fear in your business What it means to really 'see' someone and the impact of small, simple acts in your business and life The connection between delegation and empowerment in your team The key questions you should be asking your team regularly (not just at their hiring interview!) Cara also shares how to set clear and reasonable expectations with your team that will empower them to live up to their potential and stick with you through the ups and downs of studio life.PS - Did you hear that The doors are officially open to apply to join the Dance Studio Owners Inner Circle - but they are only open for a very limited time. So if you are ready to take your studio to the next level and join our team of coaches and guest experts in the world’s leading program for Dance Studio Owners, make sure to apply for the Dance Studio Owners Inner Circle today, at dsoa.com/apply.

Imagine what your studio - and your life - would look like if you focused on your wins. If you focused on what's possible.Imagine what your life would look like if you didn’t define yourself solely on your business success. Now ask yourself this: “If I were connected to myself; connected to my vision; connected to my studio; connected to my tribe, how would that feel?”   As studio owners, it’s not uncommon to feel stuck, or to battle with simply having too much on our plate at any given time. But as leaders, we're also always evolving. So how can we truly make the most out of our growing curiosity and ambition, if we’re also frequently finding ourselves in a state of overwhelm? That’s exactly where Transform My Dance Studio guest host, Cara Poppitt comes in this week as she shares her simple but effective strategies that will help you to approach growing your business and upleveling your life the right way for you.   In this week’s episode of our Dance Studio Connection To Creation podcast series, Cara shares: Why it’s important to look beyond the end result of your goals The most important questions you can ask yourself and your team when it comes to goal-setting The art of active listening and the unbelievable results you will see by making one simple change in your communication Cara also dives into the methods she has used to tap into her ‘higher self’ to make positive, lasting changes to grow her business in a way that has served her goals. “Inspiration alone is not enough. We also need the application.” - Cara Poppitt. Over the next 6 weeks, we are delighted to be introducing guest host Cara Poppit for our unmissable ‘Connection To Creation' series.  Cara is not only one of the DSOA's industry leading coaches inside the dance studio owners Inner Circle, she is also the Founder and Artistic Director of Soul Connexion in Calgary, and the founder and CEO of the Studio Fine Arts Club.  In this podcast series, Cara will be sharing the tools and strategies that have helped to launch her business ventures into empires, and the connections that have changed her life.

Over the next 6 weeks, we are delighted to be introducing guest host Cara Poppit for our unmissable ‘Connection To Creation' series.  Cara is not only one of the DSOA's industry leading coaches inside the dance studio owners Inner Circle, she is also the Founder and Artistic Director of Soul Connexion in Calgary, and the founder and CEO of the Studio Fine Arts Club.  In this podcast series, Cara will be sharing the tools and strategies that have helped to launch her business ventures into empires, and the connections that have changed her life.

Over the next 6 weeks, we are delighted to be introducing guest host Cara Poppit for our unmissable ‘Connection To Creation' series.  Cara is not only one of the DSOA's industry leading coaches inside the dance studio owners Inner Circle, she is also the Founder and Artistic Director of Soul Connexion in Calgary, and the founder and CEO of the Studio Fine Arts Club.  In this podcast series, Cara will be sharing the tools and strategies that have helped to launch her business ventures into empires, and the connections that have changed her life.

This week is part 2 of our super exciting sneak peek inside the Inner Circle, and we can’t wait to share this with you.  We’re back with Elise Mitchell, who is sharing more of her leadership expertise with us. This episode is all about how to get your team on-board with your bigger-picture goals by honing in on your leadership skills, gaining confidence from others and embracing uncertainty.

This week is part 1 of a super exciting sneak peek inside the Dance Studio Owners Inner Circle.  Part 1 all about “Leading Through the Turn” with the spectacular Elise Mitchell. Elise shares her leadership strategies to get the most out of your leadership journey, plus how to enjoy the ride, find greater work/life balance and much more.