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 Aaahhhh, summer. 

This week is the 4th of July in the States... which means it's kinda like Christmas! 

People in my area head to the cabin, the lake, or the pool to relax and bask in the hot, muggy summer weather here in the Twin Cities area with friends and family. 

We love it. 

And I'm no exception...I'm headed out tomorrow for a little hiatus of my own to rejuvenate and reflect.  And on my way back home to southeastern WI, I'll be listening to some books and podcasts to learn, grow and …

Are you a Giver?

If you're reading this, I'm thinking you are.  You're an artist, a teacher, business owner and maybe even a parent.  You've got a lot of giving going on. 

As someone who is a giver, it's sometimes easy to over do it.

Maybe it's my Lutheran/Catholic upbringing, but if someone did something for me, I simply couldn't just say thank you.  I would have to return the favor, make them dinner or knit them a scarf.  Seriously, it used to be that bad.

Can anyone relate?

These days I'…

Do you ever feel like you're about to journey on a path that has such huge excitement and opportunity?  Yet has your stomach in knots because it's also equal parts fear and complete uncertainty. 

And the thing is, you know you need to go forward.  But you hesitate. Waiting for a season when there is a bit more time or money.  Or do a bit more research?  Or make sure you understand all the technology or play out any possible scenario that could happen? 

You know that day doesn't exist, right?

"When are you going to get a real job?"

"You don't really work...you just dance."

"You don't really have a business, you have a job."

"Your business isn't really a business.  It's not complex. You teach dance."

"What you need to do is find yourself a big company to work for and park your ass there for twenty years." 

ouch.

Anyone the recipient of those words? or a variation of them? 

How'd it make you feel?  Did you react?  Did it fire you up? Did you step into your light and stand up a l…

It's March 1st, 2018 I'm about to head out the door. I layer on the clothes because it's still freakin' winter in WI, and grab my thermos of coffee. 

Do you have a morning routine? 

Most people do... and in this aspect of life, I'm most people. 

I love my morning walks. 

As I grab my ear buds, I quickly scroll through the latest podcast episodes that are highlighted.  And I see a new one recommended for me. 

It's a sassy African American woman standing up next to a brick wall with the ti…

It's Been a Year! 

A Whole Flippin' year of writing a blog every week. 

A whole year of waking up at 5am on Wednesday morning to create content that usually consisted of my personal experiences in the world of "Dance Studio Ownership." 

You guys, I would never call myself a writer.  I never journaled or kept a diary - I could barely put together a to do list that was cohesive... and that's just a list. 

What in the world was I thinking that I could create a blog? 

Well, sometimes I don't th…

I'm not sure about you, but as I'm scrolling though my feed, I'm seeing a theme in my network and in the dance educator groups I belong to. 

Summer is Coming. 

Actually, the better term is looming... there is a sense of tension and worry, with fist clenched and breaths being held. 

Anyone else feeling it? 

It's no surprise that studios can experience a summer slump.  People are taking vacations and traveling so their schedules aren't as consistent and sometimes, let's be real, people just wa…

Last year about this time, my dear college roommate texted me and asked,

"Hey, you want to go see Hamilton? ... On Broadway?"  

Um, Yea. 

"I got us tickets!" she texted. 

Check my calendar.  Holy cats!  It works... I don't have my kiddos that weekend!  YES I CAN SO GO!

Fast forward six months.  

Life happens.

I switch my weekend schedule with my ex without thinking about this epic weekend that was already in the works. 

Fast forward 2 more months. 

I ask my ex if he would like to take t…

There is a bit of a theme happening these past few weeks.

Maybe it's because I'm really feeling it. My studio is growing, and I'm hiring and outsourcing more then I ever have.  And I'm realizing I just can't do it all, nor do I want to do all the things anymore.

As a studio owner or dance teacher you're probably in the thick of it right now.  The end of the dance season is rolling in, and it's all hands on deck with recital, summer planning, fall registration, guest teachers, new spaces, hirin…

In last weeks blog, "What are you worth?," I talked about delegating some things on your to do list so that you could free up more time to work in the areas of your business that are your zone of genius.

So after the blog went live, I literally put my words to work and hired my first virtual assistant.  

I've never done it before.  

Why?

Along with the usual objections, (take a look at last weeks blog.)  I had a few more to add to the list.

#1 The Big One. 

Insecurity. Pride. Shame. (is it…