How to Start a Dance-Based Business

Originally published in 2020

If you had $100 and you had to start a business with your primary skill, dance, could you do it?

I was once asked a similar question in a business group. At the time, I was stumped. The leader encouraged us to check back through the comments to see how others responded and even utilize the ideas.

It was inspiring to see the creativity among the group. $100-starting-businesses included flipping garage sale and eBay finds, teaching a skill, and making a product to sell.

Pro tip: The business ideas that had the most potential to succeed were service based with digital delivery.

I don’t recall the timing- whether or not my husband and I had already started planning his medical interpreting service- but I can tell you that we had a similar budget when we started his business.

It looked like this:

Cover page from Squarespace. At the time, those were $7/month.

Squarespace domain $20

Google email $5/month

Business cards $9.99

Scheduling system $34.99 (HIPAA regulated)

Invoicing System $25

= 101.98

His skills were already established so no additional training was required. We were fortunate to have a friend connect us with a fantastic starting contract. It grew into full-time self-employment from there.

This is the abridged version of the story, of course. However, I want you to know that while it took time to get started, within two years he was earning enough for me to leave my job and explore other opportunities. We are now in year 5!

“Nice story. But, how can this work for dance?”

I’m so glad you asked! The great thing is that I’ve already tried it.

In the summer of 2016, I began teaching “Open Classes with Danielle Guillermo.”

This was my $100-start challenge break down:

Website hosting fees $10/month (I already owned the site for 3 years)

Studio Space $25 per class including music rights

Insurance $149 or $12/month

Music streaming service $8/month

=$55

I let people know through Facebook and my website mailing list. Ads came later on.

I began very simply with one hour and half ballet class per week. I eventually added other techniques to my one day and finally changed locations to be able to offer classes multiple days per week. I continued to supplement my adjunct instructor pay with this method until 2019.

“So are you saying that I should teach classes?”

Maybe? Maybe not?

Teaching dance isn’t for everyone! I already had a small following when I began to teach independently.

My point today is to inspire you to start small. We so often see people doing big things and we want to jump to where they are.

However, you can find your success by starting a bit smaller!

Maybe you don’t have a lot of money to invest right now or you are unsure if your idea will work. That’s OK! Try to start with the $100 challenge and grow from there.

You have already invested in your most expensive asset- your skill. Now, it is time to build a platform to share it and earn income.

Your platform could involve:

Teaching group classes or private lessons

• live and in-person

• live and online

• pre-recorded

Sharing your method on a certain aspect of dance (auditioning, resumes, hair, make-up, staging, pirouettes!) through a

• download

• workshop

• mini-course

• major course

If you have a more than $100…invest in a website. From that platform, your presence could inform people that you’re available to be booked for…say choreography or performing gigs. From there, you begin to grow your freelance choreographer or performer career.

You could also add on a membership area to sell your subscription-based workshops or classes!

“OK. I’m listening…”

Are you starting to generate some ideas?

Do you have a completely off-the-wall idea that you think might work?
Give it a try!

Did this post inspire non-dance based money earning ideas?
Guess what. That’s OK too!

No one said that you had to make all of your income through dance.

The dance community is inspiring and encouraging! You can feel free to drop some ideas or ask questions in the comments. If you are looking for help, I’ll respond with my two-cents on your dance business ideas.

Are you beyond this point and ready to build your dance brand online? Contact me for a free consultation.