Even though it does not sound like a legitimate offer, most people will still say,
“Sure! Why not?”
I know I would! Especially if I was able to duplicate the action without having to share it. Although, I would have a few questions.
- Is this legal?
- How long will it take?
- If I accidently make $2 million, can I still just give you $500K?
- Am I on Candid Camera?
Legitimate, questions, each and every one of them.
I started in the ballroom dance biz by answering an ad in the paper that read, “Dance instructors wanted! WILL TRAIN!” That was in 1977 and now, almost 50 years later, I am still giving dance a chance.
The ballroom dance industry creates instructors out of ordinary people who simply love to dance and listen to music. Most of these trainees are not pre-trained dancers with a degree.
The ballroom dance industry creates competition dancers out of non-dancers – people who think they have two left feet and can’t hear the beat.
So, why can’t the dance industry create amazing ballroom dance studio owners in the same way?
I began Amazing Dance Solutions because I saw a void in the ballroom dance industry that needed to be filled. The need for a central support and resource hub for independent studio owners, instructors, and a financial safety net for students.
When you take all the franchise studios combined, they are but a fraction of the ballroom studios in the US. The main reason is the initial startup costs when opening a franchise business. Most people would rather chance it and not pay royalty fees.
Since the many of the resources provided by a franchise i.e., dance step lists and manuals are available online, it makes more financial sense to open an independent school. The names Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire aren’t as recognized as they used to be, and they carry less appeal now.
This brings us back to the main question of the story:
“If I help you earn a lot of money once, will you share half of the profit with me? Since you can repeat this and make the same or even more money each time.”
The real question is, “How much can we make?” The answer is a minimum of $50,000. The how is a combination of selling dance lessons and creating reasons for more people to be involved in one way or another.
Most studios have events that they refer to as “Showcases”. Students learn routines to perform at this event that happens 2 – 3 times a year. It is usually a fun and casual event, not like a big competition with judges and other competitors.
The showcase platform I designed is a week long event made up of selling rountines, coaching, special workshops by top pros, and creating a paying audience to the showcase.
We advertise for non-dancers to buy into group performances. The pay for these team or group routines includes costumes and shoes. Dinner, dancing, and a show is the way to adverise the showcase.
The ADS Showcase format is a proven winner and will make you tons of money three times a year as you prepare your students and staff for competitions.
After almost 20 years, I decided to take a swing at the ownership role of a ballroom studio. You quickly learn running a studio and trying to show a consistent profit is like learning to juggle, blindfolded.
When your product is a non-essential item, the market can play havoc with your prospective sales. Learning how to combat an unstable market in the dance industry was to oversell. I was not shown any other options in the management meetings I attended.
Most of the studios that do survive hard times, do so by loading their books up with an abundance of lessons that is an extremely bad business habit.
Over the years in the industry, I’ve watched changes in sales tactics, technology, and marketing. From new business models that include gamification strategys to offering more free classes that help beef up the student body.
The more we offer affordable and fun reasons for people to dance, the easier it will be for studios to adapt during tough economic times, helping businesses maintain steady profits.
You’ll be glad you did.
Amazing Dance Solutions 
Thank you, for commenting! I am always eager to hear what you have to say.