Thread: Opening a Bellydance Business

I am currently in the process of opening up a studio and was wondering if anyone had any advice on what I should have before I open my doors. I.E. Insurance, Licenses, etc.. Thanks for your help in the future it will be greatly appreciated.

Mostly things like licenses depend on your state & local regulations.

I had to have a fictitious name certificate from the county, fire inspection by the city, occupancy permit & business license from the city, state sales tax ID, etc.

Insurance, of course, to cover your liability & equipment.

Get hold of a copy of "The Chronicles" Oct/Nov/Dec 2007. The Chronicles Magazine Apr/May/Jun 2007 Issue (link says wrong months, but it is Oct/Nov/Dec)

A friend of mine, Basima, wrote "So You Want to Own a Dance Studio". She's in Calif., so laws are different, but there is so much good info in the article.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

Get hold of a copy of "The Chronicles" Oct/Nov/Dec 2007. The Chronicles Magazine Apr/May/Jun 2007 Issue (link says wrong months, but it is Oct/Nov/Dec)

A friend of mine, Basima, wrote "So You Want to Own a Dance Studio". She's in Calif., so laws are different, but there is so much good info in the article.

I really enjoyed that article, and found it very informative.

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Make sure your insurance actually covers the studio itself, not just professional liability. Like, if someone falls down on their way through the door, if your stereo gets stolen, etc. And if anyone else teaches for you, or subs, they have to be covered as well OR have their own policy.

Wow this is very informative thanks everyone

You should also have a business plan. Your local city or state business development office can help you with this. Many communities provide low or no-cost services to small business owners.
Business w/out a business plan are more likely to fail than those that open their doors with a clearly stated goals and objectives.

These business development resources will also help you determine what you need to do to be in complaince with the law.

Good luck!

this is very helpful. I wasn't planning to open my studio until 09 but i've been presented with an opportunity to do it sooner and this helps me frame my thinking about that.

Also visit this forum: http://www.danceart.com/shoutout/mem...in.asp?login=1
Enter as a 'guest' without having to log in, and read through the 'ask a studio owner' board. It's a forum for ballet dancers, but has very useful info about running a studio. It's best to scroll through the numerous pages of info already there before asking any questions, as all your questions have probably been asked before.

Create an LLC (Limited Liability Company). It's not very expensive and more importantly, it separates you from your business. So if your business gets sued, lets say from someone dislocating their knee during class, your business is liable, not you. Your assets, such as your home or personal accounts can't be touched.
You of course need all the regulars: Business license, insurance, and fire code inspection (that one can be enjoyable depending which hunky firefighter they send).
Opening up a studio takes a large monetary investment. You need to consider how much money is going to fly out the moment you open your doors and when you plan on recouping that investment. An idea to consider is not only renting out the space when not being used, but going to your local recreation centers and finding local dance instructors (tap, ballet, jazz, African, etc...)that have a loyal following of students and offer them a job. You can keep them as contract employees (workshop) to teach classes several times a week, and offer them a percentage of their classes. I worked out the numbers and it can be profitable for both the business and the instructor very quickly. But advertising is the key!

i'm actually gonna open my studio this year. i'm taking the plunge. better now than never. thanks guys i'm gonna get right on it.

Originally Posted by rakgirl

i'm actually gonna open my studio this year. i'm taking the plunge. better now than never. thanks guys i'm gonna get right on it.

Go for it !!!
Just one advice, start small and keep on growing.
In time you will get the experience and the knowledge and you will minimize wrong acts, and damages.

I opened my studio this year and its a BIG school for me, from anypart.

Wishing you good luck

Maria Aya

thanks. i am starting small. i'm just renting space and then i'll grow from there. i'll only be offering a few classes to start with.

Get a GOOD accountant/tax advisor. Know your market and know how to market to your customers. You will spend the bulk of your time and money on promotion and advertising, to grow your business. Make sure you are paying your taxes and getting all your writeoffs that you're entitled to.

I really admire dancers who want to start their own studio - but one has to know their own limits. I've seen too many great dancers go bankrupt or lose their dream because they are great dancers but poor businesspeople. Don't confuse the two. We complain about dancers who "go pro" after a few classes, don't make the same mistake in the business world. People take years of classes to become professional businesspeople, don't underestimate how difficult it can be.

Originally Posted by elljay

Get a GOOD accountant/tax advisor. Know your market and know how to market to your customers. You will spend the bulk of your time and money on promotion and advertising, to grow your business. Make sure you are paying your taxes and getting all your writeoffs that you're entitled to.

I really admire dancers who want to start their own studio - but one has to know their own limits. I've seen too many great dancers go bankrupt or lose their dream because they are great dancers but poor businesspeople. Don't confuse the two. We complain about dancers who "go pro" after a few classes, don't make the same mistake in the business world. People take years of classes to become professional businesspeople, don't underestimate how difficult it can be.

absolutely. i agree. I think i wouldn't be able to do this right now if I hadn't been the managing director of a non-profit dance production company for the past 6 months. they were having lots of problems and it was a trial by fire. although i have an MBA, I wasn't ready yet. This experience taught me that i could do this. i figure why let somebody else's business stress me out when i could be stressed about my own.