Robin and Casey catch up this week and chat about what's happening at their studios, from conventions to student motivation deadlocks and power struggles to plain old exhaustion (this DSO life isn't always sunshine and lollipops). Plus, Robin's granddaughter turns one and Casey's getting a new roommate!

DSO Connect - By & For Dance Studio Owners

86. Real talk with real studio owners

This week Robin and Casey sit down with Mandy Myrick, one of Robin's team members at her studio, to talk all about the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. This program, part of the National Dance Education Organization, helps recognize committed dancers for their academic, artistic, and community accomplishments. Mandy runs the NHSDA chapter at Robin's studio and tells us how she organizes the program, and how the program helps keep older students engaged at the studio.

85. All about the National Honor Society for Dance Arts with Mandy Myrick

Inevitably, as dance educators we will face the issue of injured students in our studios. This week Robin and Casey chat about how to keep those dancers engaged, from class observation to social media takeovers, and of course the importance of injury prevention.

84. Keeping injured dancers engaged

Whether it's your studio's competition team, the high school musical, college dance team, or professional companies, our dancers will likely face some sort of audition scenario in their dance journey. It's our responsibility as studio owners and educators to prepare them for that experience. This week DSO Connect team member Holly Brucker joins Robin and Casey to talk about all the things we can do in our studios to help our dancers (and their parents!) feel confident and prepared when they step into their next audition.

83. Preparing our dancers for auditions with Holly Brucker

Lawyer Cory Sterling chats with Robin and Casey this week about how he and his law firm, Conscious Counsel make law FUN for heart-leading businesses, including dance studios! From waivers to employee contracts and everything in between, Cory has the expertise and the positive attitude to help guide his clients to peace of mind in all their business relationships.   Cory has an exclusive offer just for DSO Connect listeners! Get his brand new online course, Don't Get Sued: Legal Essentials for Wellness Professionals, a $297 value, for FREE with promo code DSO. This course covers all the core issues Cory sees his clients have the most questions about, including: Business structure Operating online (privacy, T&C, disclaimers) Waivers of Liability Trademarks + IP Membership/service agreements Employee & Independent Contractor agreements  Click here and use promo code to get this $297 course for FREE!

82. Making law fun with Cory Sterling

Whether your first week of classes is right around the corner, or you've already begun your season, it's always a good time to WOW your customers and make parents and students feel welcomed and included. This week Robin and Casey share some ideas to set the stage for a great new season of dance!

81. Ways to wow at your opening week

As summer comes to a close and we're gearing up for fall classes to start, it's super important to be focusing on a few things: marketing (both internal and external), debriefing your summer programs and events, and most importantly, rest and self-care!

80. Summer Wrap Up

Birthday parties are a GREAT way to reach new customers and increase revenue at your studio! Casey shares some of her strategies for making birthday parties at her studio incredible events for the birthday child and their guests, as well as all their parents. For more in-depth details on how to make birthday parties successful at your studio, join the DSO Connect Member Vault, where we'll be sharing even more info on birthday parties in the next few months.

79. Birthday Parties

As the summer comes to a close, and the beginning of a new season is right around the corner, it's the perfect time to spruce up your studio! Whether it's painting, fixing things, or updating your photo wall, we've got some ideas to help you freshen up your space on a budget!   Become a patron on Petreon and get exclusive access to a bonus podcast episode each month! Find out more here.

78. Studio Spruce-Up Ideas

Are you still waiting for your students from the 2019-2020 season who dropped off after COVID to re-enroll? This week Robin and Casey share three simple ideas to re-engage with these families and get them back in the door! PLUS, learn all about the new structure of the DSO Connect Member Vault! With two new tiers of membership, you can cover the cost of your ticket to next year's Retreat! Learn more and sign up here. DSO Connect is now on Patreon! For just $5 or $10 a month, you can make a huge impact on our show! Learn more and sign up as a patron here.

77. Three new ideas to re-engage unenrolled families.

WHAT A WEEKEND! The DSO Connect 2021 Retreat was a HUGE success. It was three days full of studio owners learning, growing, and making connections. This week on the podcast, all six of the DSO Connect team do a Retreat recap, sharing our personal highlights and favorite moments. Are you a member of the DSO Connect Community? Get all the latest updates on next year's retreat by joining our FREE Facebook group! Click here and make sure you answer all the questions to join. We can't wait to meet you!

76. Retreat Recap

In honor of the entire DSO Connect team being reunited for the first time in over two years, we're going back to the very beginning! In this intro episode, you'll meet all six members of the DSO Connect team, Casey, Robin, Tami, Holly, Heather, and Amanda, learn all about the start of DSO Connect, how to get involved, and more!   Join the DSO Connect Community on Facebook! Click here, and make sure you answer all of the questions to join.

75. REPLAY: Meet DSO Connect

With a new season looming on the horizon, this week Robin and Casey talk about all things team communication: how to communicate with your staff to keep everyone on page all year, from fall kickoff meetings to apps like Band and Trello.   It's not too late to sign up for the Virtual DSO Connect Retreat! Deadline to register is THIS WEDNESDAY 7/14! Click here for more info and to sign up. You won't regret it!

74. Effective team communication

After a few DSO Connect members have asked about their relationship, this week Casey and Robin take a trip down memory lane and talk all about how their relationship has evolved from teacher/student, to studio owner/student, to employer/employee, to mentor/mentee, and now colleagues and close friends! Plus more info on the 2021 DSO Connect Retreat, and Robin's new RV! For more info on the 2021 DSO Connect Retreat (July 23rd-25th), available both in-person and virtual, check out our website here. Not available that weekend? You'll have full access to the recordings of the entire weekend for a full 14 days afterwards! You don't want to miss this content!

73. Robin and Casey's evolving relationship

It's the dreaded scenario that happens to the best of us: one of your faculty has left your studio to open up their own studio down the street and is soliciting your students. Or maybe an existing studio is relocating or opening a new location near you. What do you do? It's not the end of the world, but you do need to combat this situation strategically. This week Casey and Robin talk about all the things you need to keep in mind when this happens to you.

72. What to do when a new studio comes to town

DSO Connect is a group of 6 dance studio owners committed to helping other studio owners run successful businesses and live balanced lives.

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DSO Connect - By & For Dance Studio Owners

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