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From Studio Dreams To Dance Legacy
Manage episode 518717220 series 3684392
A lot of people say “follow your passion” — few show the messy, determined work that makes it sustainable. We sit with AnnMarie Bean, owner of AnnMarie’s Dance Academy in Farmington, to talk about how a kid who grew up dancing for fun built a studio that blends serious training with a bright sense of family. From the first business license to punching through walls for more space, AnnMarie shares the moments that shaped her: believing she could run a better program, earning parents’ trust, and creating a place where newcomers feel welcomed and competitors feel challenged.
We dig into the real engine of a studio: the admin grind nobody sees. Think customized costumes, edited music, guest teacher travel, and a calendar built around conventions and competitions. One simple change — automatic payments — freed hours and eliminated awkward money talks. AnnMarie also gets candid about boundaries with parents, setting consistent standards across classes, and training staff who uphold the same expectations so students hold their line anywhere they go.
What makes this studio different is access and outcomes. Industry pros from LA, New York, and Vegas teach on site, giving dancers a taste of bookable skills and professional etiquette, while alumni return with experience from TV, touring shows, and major events. The focus on being coachable, taking critique, and showing up with effort builds adults who thrive beyond the stage. We also talk about the pressure of new competition deposit timelines, the reality of motherhood and evening classes, and a future vision: a multiroom studio with a dance store and coffee space that turns training into a community hub.
If you care about small business, arts education, or the craft of turning passion into a livelihood, you’ll find both heart and playbook here. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves dance, and leave a review telling us the one small change you think makes the biggest difference.
Be sure to follow or subscribe! And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected]
This show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).
Chapters
1. From Studio Dreams To Dance Legacy (00:00:00)
2. Anne-Marie’s Path Into Dance (00:02:33)
3. Choosing Farmington And Starting Up (00:04:59)
4. Opening The Studio And Finding Space (00:07:36)
5. Teacher Shortages And Bringing Pros In (00:12:01)
6. Competition Vs Recreational Balance (00:15:52)
7. Growing Teams And Word Of Mouth (00:18:52)
8. Consistency, Respect, And Industry Access (00:22:03)
9. Pride, Alumni Success, And Life Skills (00:26:58)
10. Community Feel And Joyful Grind (00:30:26)
11. The Hidden Admin Load (00:34:14)
12. Control, Delegation, And New Help (00:38:46)
13. A Small But Mighty Payment System (00:42:36)
14. Boundaries With Parents And Policy (00:45:01)
15. Motherhood, Scheduling, And Balance (00:48:26)
16. Standards Across Classes (00:56:29)
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