"Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes" - Oscar Wilde

I just finished reading a great book by Jen Groover, "What if & Why Not: How to Transform Your Fears into Action and Start the Business of Your Dreams". Jen's the creator of the Butler bag and is considered a branding and innovation expert.

What does this have anything to do with starting, owning or growing a dance studio?

You see this week I got an email from a dance studio owner who I've gotten to know over the course of a year and it saddened me to hear that this person was in fact, closing their dance studio business.

There are a many reasons why a business can fail. Sometimes it's not the right time for a business, the demographic isn't a fit, an economic downturn impacts a community extra hard, crushing competition, lack of innovation or keeping up with the trends, the list goes on and on.

In this case, this owner's business did NOT fail because of lack of passion, skill, industry knowledge, or even determination.

So really, what is failure?

Is it giving up?

Or not achieving the results we wanted?

Ending a project before it materializes?

Losing money on something we put our heart, soul and time into?

In a perfect world, no one would ever give up on their dreams. Ever.

However, that's not how life works and we have responsibilities and circumstances that come at us on a daily basis.

I've poured plenty of money and time into projects and events that could be considered failures.

I'm guessing maybe many of you have too. There have been experiences I'd like to have a 'do-over' on. From people I should have hired but didn't, those that needed to be let go sooner but stayed on too long.

I'm truly thankful for each and every one of those moments... and the ones yet to come because the experience it gives is priceless.

This weeks tip: We all make mistakes. Failures happen in business. They don't have to stop you. Chalk it up to experience and do something bigger, better, and different next time. No one else can be YOU. Your vision and mission are what will keep you focused and growing.

The bright side, I heard back from this studio owner. They let me know that this circumstance or what some would call 'failure' is not stopping them from sharing their joy of dance with others. They are picking themselves up and have already found other locations in a more populated area to teach at and will keep the magic of dance alive for other people.

Go for it! Whatever the project, business, or endeavor you're planning or currently working on - it has the potential to be a big success. Everything in between is experience.

Dance Studio Owners and Recital Anxiety - How to Transform Your Stress into Success

Even after over 35 years as a dance studio owner, the anxiety over recital time does not fade. Just ask Kathy Blake, co-founder of DanceStudioOwner.com. She manages seven performances over a three-day period with over 1000 dancers. She and her staff have implemented systems to manage big productions successfully, yet when the time of recital weekend approaches around she can't shake the worry, nervousness and even nightmares.

View or print the full interview transcript here: http://www.dancestudioowner.com/public/181.cfm

How to Add Specialty Programs At Your Dance Studio And Keep Students Coming In All Year Long

What is the best way to find and hire guest teachers for specialty programs at your dance studio? Find out how to negotiate satellite programs to bring in more revenue during off hours. Learn what the popular and in-demand programs are so that you can keep students coming in all year long. Plus hear how to leverage low cost marketing buzz to generate interest and fill classes.

http://www.dancestudioowner.com/members/554.cfm