Jen Dalton - Dance Business Coach

28/11/2025

Growing a dance studio isn’t about doing more, adding more classes, or working longer hours. Real studio growth comes from clarity, structure, and the right support — and most studio owners simply haven’t been taught how to build a business, only how to run a studio.

I learned this the long way.
Before becoming a coach, I spent 30 years building my studio from the ground up — expanding locations, hiring teams, juggling admin late at night, and carrying all the pressure on my own. My studio eventually grew to over 1,000 students and successfully sold multiple locations, but behind the scenes I was exhausted, constantly problem-solving, and unsure how to scale without burning out.

The turning point came when I realised studio growth isn’t created through hustle — it’s created through strong foundations. Clear systems. A consistent student experience. Strong retention. Confident leadership. And the mindset shift from “studio operator” to “studio CEO.”

When these pieces come together, your studio becomes easier to run, easier to grow, and easier to sustain long term.

If you’re in that messy middle — capable but stretched, excited but unsure, growing but without a map — you’re not alone. And you’re not meant to figure it all out by yourself.

You can read the full story here:
https://www.jendalton.com.au/blog/b/how-to-grow-your-dance-studio-business

24/11/2025

10 Game-Changing Dance Studio Management Tips Every Studio Owner Needs Today

This week, I pulled together something that will genuinely shift how you run your studio on a day-to-day basis.

It’s for the studio owner who wants to feel more in control.
More organised.
More confident.
More strategic.

And less like they’re putting out fires or “just trying to get through the week.”

Inside the full article, I unpack ten game-changing management tips that I’ve seen completely reshape a studio’s momentum — not gradually, but almost immediately. These are the strategies I work on with high-performing studio owners inside the mastermind, and they’re the very same tools I used to grow, scale, and eventually sell my studio for multiple six figures.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll find:

The management habits that instantly reduce overwhelm

The simple studio adjustments that strengthen retention

What to fix first when everything feels busy

How to shift from constant reaction mode to confident leadership

The operational structure behind a studio that runs smoothly

The checks and systems every studio needs before the next term

The communication tweaks that make parents more responsive

The leadership moves that change the way your team works

The weekly rhythm that keeps your studio organised and focused

And the mindset shift that separates thriving owners from stressed ones

If you’re ready for practical guidance that makes your studio feel lighter, clearer, and easier to run — this is the place to start.

Read the full breakdown here:
https://dancestudioempire.au/10-game-changing-dance-studio-management-tips-every-studio-owner-needs-today/

Let me know which tip hits home for you — and which one you’re going to apply first.

10 Game-Changing Dance Studio Management Tips Every Studio Owner Needs Today by Jen Dalton | Dance Studio Business Coaching and Mentorship As studios across Australia and New Zealand navigate shifting enrolment patterns, rising operational demands and tighter margins, strong management has never bee...

22/11/2025

How to Completely Shut Off From the Studio Over Christmas (Without Anything Falling Apart)

Every studio owner deserves a real break — the kind where you actually switch off, breathe out, and stop thinking about emails, timetables, admin, enrolments, or “just one more thing.”

But here’s the truth I see every year…
Most studio owners don’t switch off — not because they don’t want to, but because they feel like they can’t.

See the podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6KJfwJtxtZunCn0zjBs4Np?si=FDm5A_cGQbeSA8XhWvXtKg

This week on the podcast, I’m breaking down exactly what needs to happen before Christmas so you can step away without the guilt, stress, or “what if?” sitting in the back of your mind.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

The non-negotiable tasks to complete before closing your studio doors

How to prepare your 2026 updates so parents aren’t chasing you in January

What to schedule now so your enrolments don’t stall over the break

The systems that protect your time and mental space

Why the ability to switch off is actually a leadership skill

If you want two full weeks to rest, recharge, and enjoy your Christmas without anything falling apart — this episode is your roadmap.

You can listen to it now wherever you get your podcasts.

Take the break you’ve earned.
Your studio will be stronger because of it.

See the podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6KJfwJtxtZunCn0zjBs4Np?si=FDm5A_cGQbeSA8XhWvXtKg

Dance Studio Scaled: Innovative Marketing|Retention|Biz Growth Strategies for Dance Studio Owners · Episode

21/11/2025

Big news for studio owners…

Over the past month, I’ve had so many conversations with studio owners who want clearer direction, stronger systems, better retention, and more confidence stepping into the CEO role.

So we’ve refreshed and relaunched our YouTube channel — and it’s now the home for everything you need to simplify, streamline and scale your studio.

We’ve officially uploaded our full podcast feed, with new episodes released every week, plus extra training, leadership insights, and behind-the-scenes support created specifically for dance studio owners who want more clarity and less chaos.

If you’re ready for practical guidance, real conversations, and strategies you can use straight away, come join us.

Subscribe here:
https://www.youtube.com/

This is where the next stage of growth begins.

20/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19y11FmBRz/

20/11/2025

How to Build a Sustainable Dance Studio Business (That Supports You for the Long Term)

Most studio owners start with passion.

- A love of dance.
- A desire to create community.
- A dream of building something meaningful.

But passion alone won’t sustain a dance studio for 5, 10, or 20+ years.

To create a sustainable dance studio business, you need systems, structure, support, and a clear strategy that can scale with you — not exhaust you.

Across my 30+ years teaching, mentoring and running studios (including scaling one to 1,000+ students and later selling for multiple six figures), I’ve seen exactly what makes a studio thrive sustainably… and what makes it crumble.

A sustainable studio is not built on chaos.
It’s built on intentional design.
Let’s break down what that looks like — and how you can build it.

See more here:

How to Build a Sustainable Dance Studio Business (That Supports You for the Long Term) by Jen Dalton | Uncategorized Most studio owners start with passion.A love of dance.A desire to create community.A dream of building something meaningful. But passion alone won’t sustain a dance studio for 5, 10...

13/11/2025

“This year feels so much harder… and I’m not sure why.”

I’ve heard that sentence at least three times this week from studio owners who are smart, seasoned, and usually steady.

Another said:
“I’m experiencing such highs and lows.”
And….
“It’s been a year of extremes — really good or really s**t. No in-between.”

If that’s been your experience too…you’re not broken. You’re not behind.

You’re just carrying more than ever, in a world that hasn’t slowed down.

End-of-year isn’t just busy.
It’s emotional.

Because you’re tired… but proud.
Grateful… but over it.
Energised one day… flatlined the next.

And maybe the biggest challenge of all?

Trying to lead with consistency — while you’re quietly holding all these extremes.

Here’s what I want you to know:
Leadership isn’t about being unfazed.
It’s about staying anchored while the waves come.

This season asks a lot of you…

So anchor into trust. Into your team & systems.

…and Into what actually matters. 💕

03/11/2025

08/10/2025

The 2025 Business of Dance Conference in Perth, Australia is a high-impact, intimate experience designed specifically for dance studio owners.

08/10/2025

29/09/2025

Marketing is shifting fast. While most are still obsessing over Reels, the real movers are mastering AI, search, and strategic content positioning.

🎙️ I sat down with industry powerhouse Sally Prendergast to expose the HIDDEN shift in dance marketing — the one that’ll separate the thriving studios from the fading ones.

👀 If you plan to stand out in 2026, this is your early advantage.

🎧 Listen on Apple or Spotify - Dance Studio Scaled Podcast

🚨 And don’t forget: this convo is a sneak peek into the gold we’re dropping at the Business of Dance Conference in just 2 weeks. …are you ready?