The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast

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114

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast the show that aims to give you dance school owners and entrepreneurs, that extra spark of inspiration to turn your passion into profit. In each episode dance business expert Deborah Laws will bring you inspiring interviews, top tips and strategies to help your dance school go from strength to strength.

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60 recent

June 12, 202651 min

How to Build a Powerful Brand & Believe Bigger in Business | JoJo Smith from Creative SaS

In this episode of the Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, Deborah Laws is joined by branding expert and Creative Sass founder JoJo Smith to discuss the mindset, confidence, and self-awareness needed to build a successful business and a lasting brand.JoJo explains why most business owners focus on the wrong aspects of branding, how limiting beliefs hold entrepreneurs back, and why building a business starts with understanding yourself first.Whether you're a dance school owner, performing arts entrepreneur, or small business owner, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons on leadership, confidence, vision, and growth.Subscribe for more dance business, leadership, and entrepreneurship content.Find out more about Jo Jo's work at https://www.creativsas.co.ukBook an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-planTo find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

May 29, 2026Episode 11119 min

Why Being Too Nice Is Hurting Your Dance School Growth | Boundaries, Leadership & Late Payments

In this episode of the Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, we’re talking about one of the biggest hidden issues holding dance schools and performing arts businesses back: being too nice.If you’re a people pleaser, avoid confrontation, struggle with late payments, over-give to parents and students, or constantly feel emotionally drained from trying to keep everyone happy, this episode is for you.Deborah explores the difference between being kind and being unclear, and why strong leadership, clear boundaries, and professional standards are essential if you want your dance school to grow and thrive.You’ll hear practical examples of how being overly flexible can lead to lost revenue, weak boundaries, parent pushback, team issues, burnout, and resentment, plus simple ways to start tightening up your systems without becoming harsh or unkind.Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-planTo find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

May 15, 2026Episode 11053 min

ADHD, Entrepreneurship and Building a Business That Works for You with Dawn Baxter

In this episode of The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, Deborah Laws is joined by Dawni Baxter, founder of Beyond The Dawn Digital, for an honest conversation about business growth, social media marketing, burnout and building a business that actually works for your life.Dawni shares how she went from theatre kid and jewellery retail manager to running multiple businesses across digital marketing, coaching and wellbeing. Together, she and Deborah talk about the realities of entrepreneurship, growing a team, learning to delegate, adapting as your business grows and why trying to control everything often leads straight to burnout.There’s also a really interesting discussion around ADHD and entrepreneurship, creating genuine relationships with clients, avoiding comparison with competitors and how to use social media in a way that still feels human.For dance studio owners and creative business owners, this episode is full of relatable moments and practical advice around branding, visibility, leadership and growing your business without losing the personal touch that made people connect with you in the first place.Plus, Dawni shares simple but effective social media tips that can help you grow your audience, improve engagement and build a stronger brand online.Find out more about Dawni's amazing work at https://beyondthedawndigital.comBook an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-planTo find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

May 1, 2026Episode 10921 min

The hidden danger of "we've always done it this way"

“We’ve always done it that way” might feel safe. But in business, it can quietly hold you back.In this episode, Deborah challenges dance studio owners to take an honest look at the systems, habits, and decisions they’ve been relying on for years. Just because something works does not mean it is still working well.From outdated class offerings to clunky payment systems, from old-school marketing to evolving expectations around team leadership, Deborah walks you through the key areas where staying the same could be costing you growth, time, and energy.This is not about chasing every new trend. It is about staying relevant, staying aware, and making sure your studio continues to meet the needs of today’s families, not yesterday’s.Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-planTo find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

April 17, 2026Episode 10842 min

Showtime Future Stars co-founder Debbie Elwell on becoming a serial entrepreneur

What happens when you stop thinking of your dance school as just a dance school?In this episode of The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, I’m joined by Debbie Elwell, dance studio owner, entrepreneur, and the driving force behind Showtime Future Stars.Debbie’s journey is anything but typical. From launching a children’s party company that delivered over 10,000 events, to building a thriving dance school, to now producing large-scale performance opportunities in venues like the West End and Blackpool Tower Ballroom, she’s constantly evolving, growing, and asking “what’s next?”Find out more about Showtime Future Stars at https://showtimefuturestars.comBook an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-planTo find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

April 3, 2026Episode 10732 min

Owning vs Renting a Dance Studio: What No One Tells You

Owning your own dance studio is often seen as the ultimate goal.Your own space. Your own timetable. Your own rules.But is it always the right move?In this episode, we’re diving into the pros and cons of owning or leasing your own premises versus hiring venues. It’s a topic that comes up time and time again for dance school owners, especially here in the UK where dedicated studio spaces can be harder to access.Deborah shares her personal experience of running five branches across multiple locations, managing up to 18 hired venues each month, and eventually moving into her own long term studio space. She also speaks openly about the challenges that came with that decision and why, at one point, stepping away from her own premises was the right choice.Inside this episode, we cover:What to consider before taking on your own premisesThe hidden costs that many studio owners overlookThe real benefits of having your own spaceThe challenges of hiring venues and managing multiple locationsHow to know if your business is financially readyWhether you’re currently hiring spaces, actively searching for your own studio, or simply weighing up your options, this episode will give you a realistic and honest perspective to help guide your decision.As always, the key is doing your research, understanding your numbers, and making the choice that supports both your business and your life.Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-planTo find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

March 20, 2026Episode 10653 min

Building a business is about taking risks with Sarah Clements from Unlimited Dance Company

In this latest episode of The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast Deborah sits down for a chat with studio owner Sarah Clements, who shares her entrepreneurial journey and how she built Unlimited Dance Company into the successful business it is today.As always this is essential listening for any dance school owner or principal.In the vast majority of cases parents of prospective students have already researched your dance school before reaching out. When they finally reach out they are looking to confirm whether their perception of your school is the reality. How you respond will let them know!Catch the latest episode of The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast out now wherever you get podcasts. Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-planTo find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

March 6, 2026Episode 10518 min

Your social media is NOT going to bring you more students

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ ⁠https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-planIn this latest episode of The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast Deborah tackles the subject of social media and what it is REALLY for when it comes to your dance school's marketing strategy. If your marketing consists of social media posts and not a huge amount more than this episode is for you!As always this is essential listening for any dance school owner or principal.To find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to ⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com⁠To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠ Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to ⁠http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahL⁠This episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at ⁠https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/⁠This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

February 20, 2026Episode 10451 min

What does 'Inclusivity' really mean for your Dance School?

Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ https://go.dancebusinesslab.com/dance-school-success-planIn this episode, Deborah sits down with the passionate Amy Pryor, principal of Amy Greaves School of Dance. With nearly 20 years of experience as a studio owner, Amy joins the show to discuss a topic that has become a major talking point in the industry: true inclusivity.They dive deep into moving beyond "inclusivity" as a marketing buzzword and instead making it a core, lived value within your studio. Amy shares her personal and professional insights on how to adapt your environment for children with special educational needs (SEN), ADHD, and autism, ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and valued as an individual.Whether you want to improve your student retention, strengthen your communication with parents, or better support your teaching team in managing diverse needs, Amy’s practical tips and empathetic approach will give you the tools to create a truly safe and welcoming space for every dancer.Ready to be inspired? Tune in and discover how YOU can grow your dance business and legacy.Find out more about Amy Greaves School of Dance at http://www.amygreavesschoolofdance.comTo find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to https://dancebusinesslab.comTo find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below.Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahLThis episode is sponsored by Dance Studio Marketing.You can find out more about Dance Studio Marketing and how you can work with Sally to supercharge your dance business at https://dancebusinesssolutions.com/social-media-for-dance-businesses/This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio

February 6, 2026Episode 10319 min

Are These Classes Draining Your Dance School Profits?

In this episode of the The Ultimate Dance Business Podcast, Deborah tackles one of the hardest decisions dance school owners face: keeping low-attendance classes on the timetable.We all know the feeling. A handful of students love the class. It might be the highlight of their week. Cancelling feels personal. But when emotion leads the decision-making, your business often pays the price.Deborah breaks down the real cost of running underperforming classes, why “it all balances out” rarely works, and how profitable classes end up subsidising loss-making ones. She walks through practical numbers, common scenarios, and a real-life example where cutting multiple red-flag classes resulted in more profit, retained students, and even a full night off.This episode is about stepping out of guilt-driven decisions and into clear, grounded leadership. Your students are customers, not family, and your business needs to work for you too.If you are working long hours, covering all your costs, but still taking home very little, this episode may explain why.Thank you for listening. This show is brought to you by Dance Business Lab. Book an evolution call with Deborah⁠⁠ https://calendly.com/dancebusinesslab/30-minuteevolutioncall?month=2024-04 Dance Business Labs founder Deborah Laws is a multi-passionate dancepreneur, dance business expert and number one best selling author of The Ultimate Dance Business Planner. Deborah’s sole purpose is to help facilitate the personal journey and growth of dance business owners like you. Through Dance Business Lab membership and coaching programmes Deborah aims to empower you to learn more, implement new exciting strategies, create goals which Deborah will keep you accountable to and teach you leadership skills that will sky rocket your team and families to truly become your dream school. To find out more about Dance Business Lab and work with Deborah head to https://dancebusinesslab.com To find out more about working with Deborah through her exclusive Dance Business Lab membership programs follow the links below. Sparks membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/sparks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ignite membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/ignite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Illuminate membership - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancebusinesslab.com/memberships/illuminate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you love the show and you would like to support then why not buy Deborah a coffee simply head to http://buymeacoffee.com/DeborahLThis podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio