I want to start my own dance studio but what do I need to do that?

Question

I would like to start a small dance studio in a small town for small people. I would only teach ballet and I think only two classes for the 3-5 age group and the 6-8 age group. So what do I need to start a dance school? Do I need some special diploma or a college degree? I am so sorry; these questions must sound rather uninformed but I am starting from the very beginning and I don't know much about it. Thank you so much for your help!

~Nen

Answer 1

This is an excellent question. I'm thinking of doing the same thing sometime in the future once I'm out of high school and college. I'll check back to see if you have any answers.

But what I would assume is that you'd need some sort of degree for it. Or at least a license of some sort. Look around your town and see if there is some sort of room you could rent that would be suitable for a dance studio.

Answer 2

You don't have to major in dance to own your own studio - however, it definitely helps. If you're planning on running, owning, managing, advertising, etc all by yourself, I would load up on the Business classes:

- Marketing (for your advertising and networking)

- business management

- business law (need to know about LLCs & liability)

- accounting would be helpful (taxes, bills, bookkeeping)

It may be in your best interest to create a business plan. I am currently working on mine for my dance studio in my area. Because without a business plan, and assistance from a lawyer, you'll find it hard to get a decent loan to pay for your mirrors, hardwood/marley floors, barres, etc.

Thats the last thing I wanted to do, b/c I just wanted to teach dance, no deal with all the business aspects...however, you cannot have a successful business without some preparation....

- read some business plan books, and start one of your own

- speak with a lawyer (liability purposes, are you going to have employees working there etc)

- speak with a loan officer if you are needing to make huge decor/construction changes

- lease a building to start with, before purchasing. rent is easier than mortgage and property taxes.

- check out other studios in the area to get an idea of classes & pricing

- continue with dance education yourself

- NETWORK!! meet people who can "do things"

- and make sure you have a client base of students, a loan officer is going to need to know that he'll get his money back for the risk, and students help!

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

This is a very good question, you need a degree or diploma or both, either in teaching or business, I'm guessing, or both.

I hope one day to open a dance studio also.

But you do need either a teaching, business, or dance, degree to open a studio, or all three.

Other then that, sounds like you've got a really great start!

Good luck with your business!