Dance Studio Scaled is a weekly podcast for dance studio owners and business entrepreneurs ready to simplify, streamline, and succeed. Hosted by Dance Business Coach Jen Dalton, with well over 30 years of industry experience, this podcast delivers expert strategies to boost enrolment numbers, increase income, and improve retention. Each episode combines actionable marketing tips, mindset insights, and honest conversations to help you build a thriving, profitable dance studio business while achieving work-life balance.
The 5-Step Plan to Close Out 2026 and Start 2027 Clear
Q4 is here, and how you close 2026 will directly shape how you start 2027. This episode gives you a practical, five-step framework to finish the year with intention -- not a pep talk, not a vision exercise, but an actual plan you can work through between now and when you close your doors in December.
If you want to arrive in January clear-headed and ready to lead, this one is worth your time.
23 Sept 2026
From 250 to 1200 Students: The 5-Step Scaling Framework I Actually Used
This episode is the real story of how I scaled my dance studio — not the highlight reel version, but the honest one. The slow years, the things I got wrong, and what I'd do differently now.
Before I get into scaling, I walk through the five foundations every studio owner needs in place first. If these aren't solid, scaling will just make your problems bigger. I believe the sweet spot to start thinking about growth beyond your current size is around 200 to 250 students — and this episode explains why.
From there I take you through my actual timeline, from starting out in 2002 to hitting 1200 students in 2015, and the five steps that drove that scaling phase.
None of the steps are out of reach. But doing it without support is harder than it needs to be — and that's something I'm honest about in this episode.
Find me on Instagram at jendalton or visit jendalton.com.au to find out more about the Dance Studio Scaled Mastermind.
16 Sept 2026
4 Seasons, 4 Budgets: The Simple Marketing Framework Every Studio Owner Needs
Most studio owners don't spend randomly on purpose — they spend reactively. Something feels quiet, or a big enrolment push hits, and money goes out without a clear plan behind it.
In this episode, I'm sharing the seasonal marketing framework I use to take the guesswork out of it. Your dance year already has natural seasons. Your budget should follow them.
Here's the breakdown:
Season 1, Retain and Thrive (September through December): Focus on re-enrolment and keeping your current families. Budget around 10 to 15 percent of revenue.
Season 2, New Enrolment (January to February): Your biggest marketing season. New families are actively looking — show up strong. Budget around 20 percent.
Season 3, Strengthen and Sustain (March to June): Consolidate. Loyalty programmes, referrals, personalised communication. Less spending, more depth. Budget 5 to 10 percent.
Season 4, Innovate and Elevate (July to August): An underused season. I use this time to think bigger — new offerings, events, collaborations — and build momentum heading into the back half of the year. Budget around 15 percent.
If you want to map this out for your own studio, come and talk to me about the Dance Studio Scaled Mastermind.
Find me on Instagram at _jendalton_ or visit jendalton.com.au
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.5 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
4.5 / 5
32 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 59 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
88
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
75
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Guest appearances
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