Studio Kid Confessions: What It’s Really Like to Be the Owner’s Daughter

As studio owners and mums, we often ask ourselves the same questions: Am I spending enough time with my kids? Am I being present enough? Am I balancing this right?

And if you’re like us, you probably wonder what it’s really like for your child to grow up inside the world of your business. The long nights, the show weeks, the planning marathons, the costume meltdowns.

In our latest episode of the Dance Principles United Podcast, we sat down with someone who can answer that firsthand: Bec’s 15-year-old daughter, BeBe Liu-Brennan.

BeBe’s been a studio kid since day one. She’s performed on stage since she was 18 months old, spends five days a week dancing, and often teaches on the weekends. And yes, she’s the daughter of the studio owner. That means she’s grown up living and breathing studio life… and has experienced all the wonderful, complex, emotional layers that come with it.

So what’s it actually like being the daughter of a dance studio owner?

Here’s what BeBe had to say, and we promise, if you're a studio owner and a parent, you’ll feel seen, heard, and probably a little teary too.

Studio Life as Family Life

BeBe laughs when she says she’s "always there" at the studio, but it’s true. The studio is her second home.

And while she’s quick to admit that sometimes it’s a lot, she also shared how special it is to understand what really happens behind the scenes.

“I know how much work goes into everything,” she says. “Like, I know Mum has to make a critical path for every single person in a preschool concert. It’s not just showing up and dancing. There’s so much planning and organising no one sees.”

Studio kids like BeBe witness the magic and the madness. The late nights. The urgent costume fixes. The flurry of show week. But they also get the privilege of learning firsthand what hard work, community, and leadership look like.

The Mum Guilt Is Real

We’ve talked to so many studio owner mums who carry a heavy sense of guilt. Guilt for missing school pickups. Guilt for being distracted during dinner. Guilt for pouring so much energy into the studio that sometimes there’s not much left at home.

So Amanda asked BeBe the big question: Do you feel like you see Mum enough?

Her answer was honest: “Some weeks, not really. Like during concert or DTE week, it’s crazy. But Mum makes up for it. We always find time, even if it’s a weekend away or a night in watching movies. We get our special moments.”

It’s a powerful reminder that quality time looks different for everyone, and sometimes it’s not about the amount of time, but the intention behind it.

The Unspoken Pressure of Being "The Owner's Kid"

One of the most poignant parts of our chat was when BB opened up about the pressure she sometimes feels as the studio owner’s daughter.

“When I get something - like a front-row part - I wonder if it’s because I earned it, or because of who my mum is,” she said. “And sometimes I feel like I have to work twice as hard to prove that I deserve it.”

She’s also felt the whispers - from students and, more often, from parents - questioning whether she’s earned what she’s achieved. That kind of scrutiny isn’t easy for a 15-year-old. But what struck us most was BeBe’s maturity in how she handles it.

She said, “It’s made me a better performer. I work hard. I block out the noise. At the end of the day, it’s not really about them, it’s about me.”

What an incredible lesson, not just for studio kids, but for all of us.

Boundaries, Conversations & Trust

Another big takeaway from our chat? The importance of communication.

BeBe and Bec have created clear boundaries around what BeBe does (and doesn’t) share about student chatter, parent comments, or behind-the-scenes drama.

BB explained: “I only tell Mum what I think she needs to know. Like, if no one likes a costume, that’s something I’d mention. But if it’s something small or gossipy, I keep it to myself so Mum doesn’t have to carry that too.”

We loved this. It’s such a mature way to protect both sides of the relationship, the student experience and the business owner’s peace of mind.

And for those of you raising kids inside your studio world, it might be a beautiful nudge to have that same conversation with your child. What should be shared? What can be kept sacred between friends? Setting those expectations can build so much trust.

The Confidence That Grows from Watching

Throughout the episode, one theme kept coming up: confidence.

BeBe shared how much she’s learned just by watching her mum, in her craft, in her leadership, in her resilience.

“I’ve seen Mum get nervous. I’ve seen her cry. I’ve seen her stressed. But then she switches into that confident version of herself when she needs to. I’ve learned how to do that too.”

That’s something we don’t always realise as parents: how much our kids are learning just by watching us. When we push through fear, show up, get things done, and lead with integrity… they absorb it. They might not say it, but they’re watching. And BeBe is proof of that.

What Studio Kids Learn That Others Don’t

BeBe had a powerful insight near the end of our chat, something that really stuck with us.

She said, “Most of the big things I’ve learned from Mum, she didn’t even teach me directly. I learned them by watching her run a business, take care of people, and show up when things got hard.”

And honestly? That’s what it’s all about.

As studio owner parents, we’re not always able to be at every school event or have every afternoon free. But we are giving our kids an education in courage, creativity, entrepreneurship, leadership, and resilience. We’re showing them what it looks like to believe in something and build it.

And whether they follow in our footsteps or blaze their own trail, that foundation is priceless.

So to all the studio owner parents out there:

You’re doing better than you think.
Your kids are learning more than you realise.
And the impact you’re making goes far beyond your studio walls.

If you need a little inspiration, perspective, or just want to hear from someone who's grown up in the thick of it, grab a cuppa and listen to this beautiful, honest episode with BeBe Liu-Brennan. It’ll make you laugh, cry, and feel a whole lot less alone.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

And if you’re not already part of our Dance Principles United Tribe, come join us! Because navigating studio ownership (and parenting) is so much easier when you’re surrounded by people who get it.