Transform My Dance Studio – The Podcast For Dance Studio Owners
Dance Studio Owners Association
Behind every great studio is a story of transformation.
The Transform My Dance Studio Podcast is your weekly lifeline for leadership, clarity, and community. This podcast is for studio owners at any stage of their journey who are ready to build profitable businesses that support their lives.
Hosted by Olivia Mode-Cater, a lifelong dance educator and entrepreneur, each episode sparks inspiration and strategies to transform your studio and your life. You'll hear real-life stories from studio owners, mentors, and coaches who've been in the trenches, candid solo episodes that explore the personal and professional growth of studio leadership, and thoughtful deep dives with industry experts offering practical insight for studio owners.
This show is designed to help studio owners move beyond survival mode and into a more intentional way of leading that supports financial growth without sacrificing joy, energy, or fulfillment. If you're building a studio you care deeply about, but know there's a better way to do it, Transform My Dance Studio is here to support you every step of the way.
Olivia Mode-Cater is a CEO, entrepreneur and leader of the Dance Studio Owners Association, the world's largest community of studio owners, and helped scale 2 other major dance businesses into leaders in the industry. Known for her expertise in dance education, business growth, and marketing, she has trained and inspired thousands of studio owners.
The Transform My Dance Studio Podcast is your weekly lifeline for leadership, clarity, and community. This podcast is for studio owners at any stage of their journey who are ready to build profitable businesses that support their lives.
Hosted by Olivia Mode-Cater, a lifelong dance educator and entrepreneur, each episode sparks inspiration and strategies to transform your studio and your life. You'll hear real-life stories from studio owners, mentors, and coaches who've been in the trenches, candid solo episodes that explore the personal and professional growth of studio leadership, and thoughtful deep dives with industry experts offering practical insight for studio owners.
This show is designed to help studio owners move beyond survival mode and into a more intentional way of leading that supports financial growth without sacrificing joy, energy, or fulfillment. If you're building a studio you care deeply about, but know there's a better way to do it, Transform My Dance Studio is here to support you every step of the way.
Olivia Mode-Cater is a CEO, entrepreneur and leader of the Dance Studio Owners Association, the world's largest community of studio owners, and helped scale 2 other major dance businesses into leaders in the industry. Known for her expertise in dance education, business growth, and marketing, she has trained and inspired thousands of studio owners.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 5, 2025 • 18min
The Studio Admin Fix: 5 Tools That Save You Hours Every Week
Are you buried under endless admin tasks — chasing down attendance, payments, and scheduling issues — instead of focusing on what really matters in your studio? In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Inner Circle Growth Coach Annie Leese shares: - 5 simple tech tools to streamline your class management, registration, and communication - How to save hours of time each week (without hiring more staff) - Practical ways to set up automations for class reminders, payments, and team communication The truth about tech overwhelm — and why you only need one or two smart tools to see massive results Ready to feel like a CEO again instead of your studio's admin assistant? This episode will show you exactly where to start. Plus: Get access to real studio templates, tool kits, and daily tips inside our free Dance Studio Owners Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/theDSOA
Apr 28, 2025 • 33min
How to Make Reels at Recital that Get People to Enroll
If you've ever walked away from recital week with nothing but exhaustion and a camera roll full of blurry stage lights… this episode is for you. Social media expert Jeanne-Marie Branche joins us to share the exact system she created for studio owners who want to turn recital into their biggest marketing moment of the year. No stress. No crew. No Canva meltdowns. We dive into: What types of recital content actually convert How to capture emotion, transformation, and trust on camera The secret to building a year's worth of content in just one week And why "done is better than perfect" when it comes to social media Whether you're a studio content pro or feel like you're always playing catch-up online, this episode will show you how to work smarter, not harder — and grow enrollment while you're at it. 🎧 Don't forget to join our free Facebook group for studio owners: facebook.com/groups/theDSOA
Apr 21, 2025 • 8min
Effortless Growth: Set It and Forget It
If parents in your area are searching for dance classes online, is your studio one of the first they find? In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio podcast, Inner Circle mentor Heather Jackson explains how studio owners can use SEO (search engine optimization) to increase their website's visibility and attract more students—without needing a tech background. Learn simple, actionable strategies to boost your search rankings and let your website do the work for you!
Apr 14, 2025 • 16min
Effortless Growth: Referral Programs That Work
Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most effective ways to grow your dance studio—but only if you have a system in place to encourage and reward referrals. In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio podcast, Inner Circle mentor Heather Jackson shares how to set up a referral program that practically runs itself. Discover simple, proven ways to motivate your current dance families to spread the word, leading to increased enrollment without additional marketing stress.
Apr 7, 2025 • 16min
Effortless Growth: The Power of Evergreen Content
Marketing your dance studio doesn't have to mean constantly creating new content. In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio podcast, Inner Circle mentor Heather Jackson, owner of Kaleidoscope Dance, joins us to break down the power of evergreen content—marketing materials that continue to attract and engage potential students long after they're published. Learn how to leverage this strategy to boost your studio's visibility, build trust with your audience, and bring in new enrollments with minimal ongoing effort.
Mar 31, 2025 • 18min
Delegate to Elevate: One-And-Done Resource Creation
What if you could create something once and have your team use it over and over again? In this episode, Shawna Kwan explores how to build resources—like systems—that save you time in the long run. Learn the best formats, tools, and strategies for making sure your resources stay updated without you having to redo them constantly. Work smarter, not harder!
Mar 24, 2025 • 22min
Delegate to Elevate: Studio Management By Proxy
You don't have to run your studio alone. In this episode, Shawna Kwan shares key roles you can delegate to trusted team members, from front-desk staff and admin assistants to customer service and operations managers. Learn how to find the right people, what responsibilities to give them, and how to create a system that keeps your studio running smoothly—even when you're not there.
Mar 17, 2025 • 18min
Delegate to Elevate: Outsourcing Your Marketing
Marketing is essential—but it doesn't have to take up all your time. In this episode, Shawna Kwan walks you through how to outsource social media, advertising, and content creation without losing your brand's voice. Learn what tasks to delegate first, how to vet the right marketing professional, and the key systems that make outsourcing seamless. If you've been hesitant to let go of marketing, this episode will give you the confidence to take the leap!
Mar 10, 2025 • 48min
600th Episode: SOLD-OUT Summer Camps
The Transform My Dance Studio Podcast is celebrating its milestone 600th episode! This special edition takes a moment to thank its dedicated listeners who continue to find inspiration, knowledge, and practical strategies through the podcast. In this episode, Program Manager Lisa from the DSOA Inner Circle is joined by Inner Circle Growth Coaches Jodi Shilling and Sharon Uyar. Together, they share insights and proven strategies to help dance studio owners ensure their summer camps are fully booked. Tune in for expert advice and actionable tips to make the most of summer programs!
Mar 3, 2025 • 15min
Delegate to Elevate: Hiring a VA
Feeling overwhelmed by admin work? A Virtual Assistant (VA) could be the game-changer your dance studio or business needs. In this episode, host Shawna Kwan, Inner Circle Community Leader and powerhouse studio owner of Elan Dance Arts, breaks down what a VA can do for you—from managing emails and scheduling to customer service and social media. She'll also dive into how to find the right VA, what to delegate first, and how to set up a successful working relationship. If you're ready to free up your time and focus on what you do best, this episode is for you!
