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Ballroom Dancing/Opening a Ballroom Dance Studio

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Expert: - 1/23/2009


Question
Im looking into opening a Ballroom Dance studio. I would appreciate any info on
the investment, the outlook for Ballroom Dancing, and what would be the
minimum investment would be to start a studio.

Answer
 Questioner:   KIM:
Category:  Ballroom Dancing

 
Subject:  Owning/Running a Ballroom Dance Studio
Question:  David,

You are considering buying or opening a ballroom dance studio. Do you have an extensive business background and the necessary funding, Are you able to teach or will you hire talent, or both?

I will assume The studio will be located in a major metropolitan area.

Based on my  experience, what should a studio do/offer to be successful and what critical errors should be avoided?
Some ideas:

1. contact the sba -small business admin to advise you.They can give you the latest $ info on start ups.
2.do a business plan. estimate from 500$ to 50,000$ depending on your overhead. is your studio in your basement, garage, attic, living room or a friends house- that saves money. If you buy an old warehouse and remobel that will be very expensive..
3. consult with bankers in your area for financial advice and local start up costs.
4.go on line for free legal incorporation advice.
5. go to the library and read 6-8 books on the subject.  
6.revise plan. sample legal and business forms, etc. get estimates.
7. start scouting locations -main roads, demographics.
8. start learning about websites, e mail, marketing,  how much will this cost?  
9.take a class  from local high schools or jc or cc or univ in this.
10. who is your target market? young? middle age? couples?  rich? poor?
11.What kinds of dancing?  folk? hip hop? latin? country? zydeco?
12. Who is the competition? revise plan.
13.contact local teachers or take their classes.
14.observe others businesses and get info about $ and marketing. Who is in the yellow pages Tel book- how much does it cost?
15. what are the websites e mail addressees of marriage marketing firms?
16.Will you have contacts in the birthday/ Bride/wedding market?
17. Will churches, social groups or individuals give you leads.
18. Have you joined the chamber of commerce, business groups, Kiwanis, rotary, elks, moose, singles clubs, What is your network> 19. Who are your mentors?
20.what will you charge?
21. revise plan.
22. do it right the first time. -expect losses for the first year or two.
23. build word of mouth power.  plan flyers, cards, signs, mail outs, window ads,
24. What will be your PC and software? advertise for the best teachers you can get. reward them well.
25. when you have more info contact me again.
I started in local parks and rec departments and my basement, then hired halls, then built my own home with dance floor. You might go in with a partner or 2 to get the needed capital.
Your friend and helper
UNCLE DAVE
davidlynch99@hotmail.com  

Ballroom Dancing

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David Lynch

Expertise

I can answer questions on American Ballroom dancing, including EAST COAST, West Coast Swing, American Tango, Waltz, Foxtrot:( 5 STYLES), Cha Cha, Rumba, salsa, merengue, Charleston, lindy charleston, 2 Step C/W, Blues swing, , single, double, triple and combo swing, be bop, rock, and Mambo. Swing- especialy 50'S rock and swing, is my specialty. I cover MOST basic beginner type questions on steps, style,LEADING, etc. I slso take some FAQs on the borders of martial arts and dance. I do not try to answer questions about international, competition, gold level or folk styles or advanced dancing or argentine tango,punks, hip hop, break dancing,or any dancing beyond 24 months of dance training, Thank you.

Experience

I have been teaching ballroom dance since 1958, over 50 years. I atarted at Arthur Murrays dance studios. I teach at Intel to the employees at lunch hour. I teach at the Shelton Elks and Briggs YMCA

Organizations
YMCA, Dance club of Olympia, love to dance club, Te -Ken- Jutsu Kai, literally hand-fist, arts club. Bahai Faith, NORTH west Fruit and berry growers assoc.

Education/Credentials
I got a 2 year degree at Los angeles city college, and 2 years study at LA state university. majoring in Psychology, and sociology.

Past/Present Clients
Thousands of students in Minnesota, Los Angeles, and now Washington State, usually give me standing applause after my classes in basic ballroom dance. I have helped teens and adults all over the world.I teach and dance host on cruise ships like NORWEGIAN STAR TO ACAPULCO, , CARNIVAL SPIRIT AND CELEBRITY INFINITY TO ALASKA. Students come to me from Canada, Mexico, and all over the USA. They go on waiting lists. I teach atYMCA, dance clubs, private homes, country clubs, retirement centers, hospitals, re unions, Government offices, corporations, factories, churches, to workers and staff during lunch breaks. I do dance host, dj and parties. To find out more, ask me about my classes. TRY MY NEW 2010 WEBSITE AT www.olympiadancelessons.com, Or google me. at dance olympia or swing olympia.

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