Thread: Tried, Tired and Tested Business Model

I know for many practitioners out there the business model is you start classes, you do belly dance events for students to perform in, you sell coin belts, you take students out to Egypt, you do weekend workshops, you start performing and giving national or regional workshops etc.

Usually all the above on your own. Do people work in groups, collectives, mixed themed events etc?

Do many of you make different business models to inspire and generate work, business in the MED dance scene?

What is your experience as a part timers, full timer and or something else?

Siouxsie

I guess this is a difficult topic to talk about or maybe it has been adressed here many times over?

It is a very large and complex topic, and the bits and pieces of it are constantly being addressed in separate threads, and the solutions to the bits and pieces are different for each person's personal goal. I would hate to have to come up with a summary, myself; I can hardly get a firm handle around our own small business.

There is lots of ways. It's funny, I've done it the reverse order. I started performing, then started teaching classes only after I was repeatedly asked to. However, I haven't taught in 2 years, but am still performing at venues and parties on a weekly basis. I really want a belly dance supply store. But, I don't see that happening any time soon.
Teaching should only happen when a trusted teacher says you are ready or when several people ask you. And it should only be if it is in your heart and ability to dedicate to students who look up to you as a role model. I wish I knew where my first teacher was, she dropped from the scene completely. She is the reason I was able to develop my own unique style.
Another very important element, that I have only recently gotten the hang of, being an introvert, is networking. Other belly dancers are your best business friends. There are ways to turn cattiness into friendly competition.
Hope this helps. :-)

I would like to contribute, but I'm not exactly sure what you're asking. Perhaps it might be easier to ask, what are you trying to find out from your post (what's the purpose)?

My business model, and journey there, was as follows. As you can see, I have for the most part done all the business stuff myself, but took quite a few steps to get there. I also work alongside other dancers in delivering my services. I give work to them, and in return they give work to me. We are competitors, but also colleagues.

- Started teaching a few classes for an established bellydance studio

- Started working in the studio's bellydance shop, then became shop manager, and added another night's teaching.

- As I gained confidence in my teaching, I sought out teaching opportunities elsewhere. Firstly, as a contractor to gyms and university short course centres.

- Once I had confidence in the business side of things, I hired my own venue (by the hour) and set up classes one night a week. I did all the admin/marketing and took all the profits.

- At the same time, gained performance experience being sent out on gigs through the studio/dancing at haflas.

- The original studio I worked for closed down, so I decided to start up my own full-time bellydance teaching business. I did a lot of number crunching and decided two things:

1) I would hire space by the hour, as I didn't want the massive business required to pay for a full time lease
2) I would only work for myself, doing all admin and marketing, and keeping all profits for myself. This was after many crap experiences with gyms, and because I thought it was the only way I could actually make a living.

- Once classes were humming along nicely, I started promoting myself more as a performer. Later on, I added hens party, kids party and corporate & school workshops. I also learnt Bollywood dancers and offer performances/workshops.

- Began selling hip scarves and occasional CD/DVDs to students at class (buying wholesale).

- Over time, I contracted other teachers to work for me, and started handing out performance/workshop work to others. After a while, I decided to charge a commission for sending other dancers out to party workshops, as I was handing over an awful lot of business. I brand these workshops under my business name and do all the marketing/admin myself.

Originally Posted by supercooper

I know for many practitioners out there the business model is you start classes, you do belly dance events for students to perform in, you sell coin belts, you take students out to Egypt, you do weekend workshops, you start performing and giving national or regional workshops etc.
Siouxsie

Bolded above is mine; not sure if you put these in order that you mean? Start classes, then start performing after? Why would someone teach dance who has not performed?
Not being snarky, wondering..c::

Originally Posted by LiesaB.

Bolded above is mine; not sure if you put these in order that you mean? Start classes, then start performing after? Why would someone teach dance who has not performed?
Not being snarky, wondering..c::

If you live in an area where there are no existing teachers or performing opportunities, sometimes this happens. It isn't right, but it happens.

I offered a type of BD professional trajectory that I have seen around the UK and been part of, I was wondering if it worked out for others in a similar way.

You are right why would someone teach before performing. I think it does happen that way and in other ways as highlighted above.

I have come across dancers who work cooperatively in a building that they use, they spread the cost and therefore the biggest proportion of their expenses, the venue hire, is less.

I have come across a working group with a not-for-profit status, and they work together on building a specific dance lexicon and promote their concepts of the dance as a unit, not as one person.

It seems that the core of many other belly dance business reside in the personality and charisma of the sole trader.

Siouxsie

There are about 8 teachers I can think of off the top of my head who teach but do not perform in my region alone.

There are also many performers who do not teach. I was one of those people who got asked to teach because I was known as a performer.

At that time, I was not as good at teaching as some of my non-performing counterparts.

There are simply not enough gigs to go around, setting people up to produce a performing sausage factory is not always the best route.

There are other aspects of this dance which can be enjoyed and appreciated.