Brick & Mortar Visibility

We're all exhausted.  It's the last day The Dance Teacher Life Conference. Over 800 people have been learning, growing, challenging, and expanding their knowledge as dance educators and business owners.    

As I walk into the room where Rhee Gold give us a little chat before heading off to our last few sessions of the weekend, I find a spot in the middle of the row with no one to my right or left so I can spread out a bit and take notes. 

Then Rhee comes walking onto stage and starts speaking …

"Your Net Worth is in Your Network."

Have you heard that before? 

I heard it about six months ago via a podcast.  (Maybe I learned of it earlier, but clearly the student wasn't ready to hear or learn.) 

What I do remember learning year ago was, "ask your network."  

Huh? 

Who's my network?  I don't have a network. I don't know anyone.  

Have you ever said or thought that?

With social media, we can gather "friends" quicker then an Instagram story.

Although some social media feeds can…

Good Morning. 

Well, it is when I write this.  

It's actually 5:29am. 

If you would of told me twenty years ago that I would be up creating a blog post at the 5 am hour, I would of looked at you like you were crazy.  Actually, even five years ago I would of questioned you. 

But it's funny how we change and grow. 

Years ago I didn't think I'd ever like coffee, or want kids or tolerate beer.  Now I can't live without my morning coffee, have five kids and am a beer snob. 

And yet here we are.…

Who doesn't love FREE? 

I always do a double take when I see free.  What's free?  How long is it free? How many free things can I get?

(Maybe that's a triple take?)  

I often hold free events at my studio.  It's a great way to bring people in the doors right?  

Yes. 

and No. 

I'm guilty of this, so no judgement if you've ever done this.  

Are you collecting contact their info.?

You know, so you can follow up with them?  

I would assume you are.  I mean, that's so basic knowledge righ…

 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…