The Turning Points In Our Dance Studios

Every studio owner has those defining moments.

The times where everything shifts - for better or for worse -and you realise, “This is going to change everything.”

In this week’s in-person (!) episode of the Dance Principles United Podcast, we went deep into the pivotal turning points that shaped our studios into what they are today. No fluff. Just the real, raw stories.

We put the call out to our Tribe:
“What would you ask us if we could give completely unfiltered advice?”
And one of the most popular responses was:
“What were the biggest turning points in your studio journey?”

So we shared them.

The moments we usually only talk about behind closed doors. From financial rock bottom to incredible wins, from unexpected detours to very conscious, strategic decisions, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, risk, and reinvention.

Here’s a closer look at some of those moments, and why they might matter to you, too.

1. When the Advice Finally Sank In

For Bec, the first major turning point was during one-on-one mentoring sessions — $500 an hour ones she could barely afford at the time. She’d show up, cry for the full hour, then go back to business-as-usual.

Until one day, her mentor hit her with a line she’ll never forget:

“You can keep paying me to sit here and cry… or you can actually do the things I’m telling you to do.”

Oof. That one stung. But it sparked something.

From there, Bec made the call to completely refocus her marketing and operations. Instead of trying to compete for the most advanced senior dancers, she doubled down on preschool, and grew from 12 tiny dancers to over 300.

The lesson?
Change only comes when we’re willing to do something different. Even if that means letting go of what used to work.

2. From Proving People Wrong to Owning Her Power

Amanda’s first studio breakthrough was less about systems, more about sheer stubbornness.

She opened her studio at 15 years old, while still in Year 11, and had a lot of people tell her she wouldn’t last. That she couldn’t run a business and finish school. That she’d never make a real income from dance.

So she decided to prove them all wrong.

She didn’t just run a studio, she built a thriving, profitable business that outpaced traditional career paths. And yes, she even dropped out of uni along the way, choosing her passion over the “safe” option.

This kind of mindset “I’ll show you” might not be sustainable forever. But as a starting point? It lit a fire that never went out.

The takeaway?
If you’re driven by doubt or judgement right now, use it. Let it fuel your next big move — then replace it with long-term vision and clarity.

3. The Home Ownership Wake-Up Call

One of Bec’s most emotional turning points came during COVID, living solo with two young kids and feeling like her dreams were permanently on hold.

She decided to flip the script.

She set a new goal: to buy a home on her own.

That decision forced her to get financially smarter, trimming back unnecessary spending in the studio, saying no to the bells and whistles, and seeking out new revenue streams.

She stopped making emotional decisions and started making strategic ones.

And she did it.

She bought a house. On her own. As a single studio owner.

The shift?
Wanting something bigger than the studio gave her new purpose — and made the day-to-day decisions clearer.

4. The “All In” Moment That Nearly Broke Us

Amanda’s second turning point was in 2015, when she and Nath bought their second studio location - a massive commercial property in Shellharbour - while simultaneously building their dream house and welcoming baby number two.

At the same time, Nath quit his job, turning the studio into the family’s sole source of income.

Stressful? Yes.
Strategic? Eventually.
Worth it? Absolutely.

Amanda says it was the moment she knew:

“This is no longer a hobby. This is a real business. And it has to work.”

The investment was massive. Hundreds of thousands in renovations, staff costs, and risk. But that pressure created progress. She hustled harder and scaled faster because there was simply no other option.

Sometimes, calculated risk is the only way forward.

5. When Competition Took Over

Bec’s most recent turning point? Going all in on comps.

For years, her studio had always done well, but wasn’t super comp-focused. Then, as her daughter got involved and the studio evolved, the shift happened.

Now?

She’s got 70 kids doing private lessons and full comp schedules. They’ve even split into elite and non-elite troupes.

But it came with growing pains. More staff. More investment. More intensity.

“Is it the right move? I’m still not sure,” she shared.

But it’s real, and it’s happening.

Lesson:
Sometimes, a turning point doesn’t come with clarity — yet. You might not know if it’s the right path until you’re halfway down it. But every move brings growth, if you're paying attention.

6. That $200 Phone Call

One of Amanda’s most vulnerable moments came not long after all that expansion. She was maxed out. She couldn’t afford groceries or nappies. And she had to call her parents and ask for $200.

“It was the most mortifying moment of my life,” she said.
“But it was also the line in the sand.”

She swore to herself she’d never make that call again. That she’d find ways to create more income, restructure, hustle harder. And she did.

She’s never needed help again, not because of shame, but because that moment made her completely committed to building something that worked long term.

Final Thoughts

Turning points aren’t always pretty. Sometimes they show up as breakdowns, identity crises, or ugly-cry mentoring sessions.

But they’re also where the real growth happens.

So if you’re in the thick of it right now — overwhelmed, questioning it all, or wondering if you’ve still got more in you — we see you.

And we want you to know:

Your next turning point might be just around the corner.