How studios grow without opening a second location

When studio owners think about growth, they often assume the next step is a bigger building or second location.

Did you know there’s another way to grow your studio first?

(Also, if you’re just starting out and can’t afford your own studio space yet, the following are great ideas for you too!)

Smart studios expand into places where families with young children already gather:

• Preschools

• Schools

• Libraries

• Community centers

• Church halls

This might look like subleasing space, or entering into a partnership. Either way, expanding into locations like these in your community can introduce your program to entirely new families while requiring far less overhead than opening a new studio space.

You might also look at other studio spaces on the other side of town that are similar but not the same as a traditional dance studio.

• Yoga studios

• Pilates studios

• Gyms (many have a fitness studio)

• Ballroom dance studios

Many of these spaces cater to adults. They often have early afternoons open, and can sometimes have mornings and Saturdays open. I started my very first dance studio by subleasing space at a ballroom dance studio. They only had classes and events in the evening. So the hours right after school on weekdays and on Saturday mornings were open for me to use.

The challenge, of course, is that teaching in multiple locations requires consistency. Teachers need clear lesson structure, and classes need to feel consistently professional no matter where they’re held.

That’s one of the reasons many studio owners use the Little Dancer Program. It gives them a framework that can travel with them or their teachers, whether they’re teaching in their home studio or in a partner location across town.

I’ve got an exciting studio owner story to share with you soon, if you’re looking for ideas for increasing your studio enrollment and retention.

Have a lovely week!

Ashley and the Little Dancer Team