So my first piece of literature is more of a very detailed 'to do list' by Lois Tucker which was issued in Let's Dance in 2005. He talks about the basic things to keep in mind when starting a dance class :-
http://www.louitucker.com/dance/StartDanceClass.htm
He first talks about why would anybody want to start a dance class with all the responsibility, work involved and diplomatic land mines. Well firstly, who would assume that there wouldn't be any hard work involved? Surely it's that type of hard work where you're wanting to build something potentially brilliant for yourself and others off your own back, therefore, isn't that enjoyable? The responsibility of being your own boss rather than following the rules and policies of a school or college. I think that is a primary reason for doing it in the first place. In a school you can't teach in the way that you feel is best, and it's certainly not freestyle.
'...if the area already has a class or classes, take the teacher(s) to lunch.' This takes me back to 'cooperation' in the first module. I strongly believe in keeping cool with your possible neighbouring dance class/school. Asking for advice is a good one too of which Tucker mentions, it keeps the ball in their court for a while and cooperating to the fullest would hopefully lead to a non-bitter relationship.
This kind of meeting I assume would be as formal as possible as it would be based on business so being able to organise days and times for classes as to not clash with one another.
For me, I really wouldn't want to ruin somebody else's business, so this is so important to me to keep in with my neighbours and to avoid chaos as much as possible.
'.. don’t forget to check out any community centers that are focused on the ethnicity or religion of the local inhabitants, such as a Jewish Community Center or Slavic Community Center.'
After checking out the religious centres, I wouldn't avoid them completely. I think it's always best to keep an open mind and to still give them a try. What would you have to lose? Being too careful can end up getting you nowhere on finding success.
And on a similar note, Tucker talks about checking out about gyms' or exercise facilities about whether or not they already have a full slate of classes or aren't looking for the type of class you want to do. I still think it shouldn't hold you back in inquiring about starting a class there. Why be too careful? I think I would prepare a pitch for myself, to try and get the managing team on my side. Explain in as much detail as I can what benefits my class would bring to the gym and what I would do in the class from start to finish.
What I feel is very useful from this article is wedding and event planers; 'If they have been in business for very long, they know the location and availability of all the available church and private halls. What fantastic information to have. This knowledge could serve me greatly in the future. If I'm ever in a situation where I am to organize a party, in the area I live, I can take to opportunity to kill two birds with one stone and get a hopeful venue for a dance class, or even school.
The next part of Tucker's article, he talks about the things to consider. There is a lot that I wouldnt have thought about until possibly after setting up a class. This part could possibly have saved some possible issues in the future, but there really is a lot to consider.
Parking. This I'm certain wouldn't cross my mind in the future. This is vital for the parents to be able to drop off their children safely by taking them inside the building itself. There's also the older students with a car who would need to park for the session. This would narrow down my venue choice to possibly 15-20% (my own estimate) of the venues that I'd look at.
Neighbours. For me this would hopefully not be too much of a problem as I hope to not run classes past 9pm. If I do have the odd complaint here and there, I would simply cooperate and ask their time limits and lessen the volume of the music between that time and the end.
Saying this though, I would still try to find somewhere not too close to homes, which again would narrow down my venue choice.
Kitchen access. Again, another thing that might've crossed my mind. I think it's mainly this or at least a water fountain that needs to be accessable. I would encourage the people who stay for a few classes to bring their own food. I don't believe that tea or coffee is a necessity but would be convenient for some. Again though, they can bring their own in a flask.
Dance floor is of course a major part of the success. I can't be injuring people with a concrete or marble floor. I would need to test out a hall that I'm interested in to make sure that it's safe. Health and safety is critical which includes of course the heat of the room and whether or not their is air conditioning for the summer, particularly (like Tucker mentions), if the room does get really hot in the summer.
On the whole, most of Lois Tuckers' article is extremely beneficial for my future in setting up a class, and for my inquiry; it sets off a lot of questions in one read.
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My next piece of literature is from a free book called; Business start-up - Where to begin and how to grow. It doesn't seem to have an author but is presented by U.S. Small Business Administration; http://www.sba.gov/. Of course starting a dance school is just that; starting a business.
The parts that seemed to stand out for me for my particular inquiry were:
- Why small businesses fail
- Getting started
- Finding the money you need
So, in 'Why small businesses fail', the writer gives this list of reasons:
1:Lack of experience
2:Insufficient capital (money)
3:Poor location
4:Poor inventory management
5:Over-investment in fixed assets
6:Poor credit arrangements
7:Personal use of business funds
8:Unexpected growth
9:Competition
10:Low sales
Naturally of course I wouldn't consider myself going in to teaching and building up my own dance school if I didn't think I was experienced enough. I've gained such a variety of different amateur and professional experience that has given me the confidence to know that I am a good all rounder and a good influence. I now just need to build my teaching experience. I've had some experience in a range of different ways such as Teaching assistant (currently), Performing arts teacher, (also currently) and an assistant teacher at a Music centre in drama and music. I know that it seems a lot, but all were/are in the space of such a small time. I know that my experience in teaching needs to grow before I think about being my own 'head mistress' of a dance school.
I know that my experience building a business is nil. But we all have to start somewhere right?
Insufficient money would bring me to the other section of the book anyway on 'Finding the money you need.'
In this section the writer talks about different options of which you can take, two of them being a loan from the bank or borrowing from somebody. Both of these options scare me and I expect most others would be too. Both resolve in owing money back to somebody or some other business (the bank) for definite with interest on top where the bank is concerned. The other options given in the writing were; your own savings or family. For me these options sound much more ideal. I would not be in a situation where I have to owe anything back, obviously not to myself, but perhaps to my family. If it were a lot that I would be using to invest, I would try to owe back as much as I can to my family. I've been very good at saving over the past few years, so this seems like a reasonable plan. Sadly, I have to accept that I may very well need to use the options if my most favoured options fail.
In this section it also gives some basic advice on how to be successful in getting a loan such as having a good credit score (of course) and knowing exactly how much you will need. The bank would need a lot of convincing so I would need to know exactly how I would get that money back to them, including the interest. This could do with some research, but that would be something to think about during the time.
Over-investment in fixed assets is a good one for me to focus on when it comes to starting a class. It's of course, something I must avoid at all costs, literally speaking. I would need to go for a lot of basic equipment to begin and/or even rent out ballet bars and a decent speaker system. This would make things a bit complicated to start with, with all the different things to remember about and keep control over, but it would be quite vital in the beginning.
Competition. This relates to the topic earlier from Lois Tucker's article. To try an avoid much competition I would need to place a school/class in an area that there isn't a similar class nearby, also, if there isn't any other choice, I need to have a meeting with the neighbouring dance class' teacher.
Now Unexpected growth doesn't seem like such a bad thing for my type of business. Surely the bigger the number the more success. BUT, what about floor space? What about parking? This could make a very big problem if I haven't hired out a hall big enough that's in the perfect location for me and the students. Something to really consider when I take action.
'Getting started.' 'To increase your chance for success, take the time up front to explore and evaluate your business and personal goals. Then use this information to build a comprehensive and well
thought out business plan that will help you reach these goals.'
So, my organizing skills need to be very particular including all of what I do and what I am aiming for, which when I think about it is to have an excellent, funfilled, successful, quite laid back with high standards dance academy. I want to produce some fantastic shows that I'd like to be the core of hearsay to gain more students. I want to make an academy that is very unique.
Again, thinking about business planning, I would need to think about what dance styles I would need to start with. Two questions have come to mind:
- What style of dance would be the most effective way to gain students?
- At what point would I need to hire a ballet teacher? When I can afford to? Or when competition emerges?
The other thing from the list that actually jumps out at me and actually scares me a little is; 'What insurance coverage will I need?' This is the part of owning my own dance school that I really don't think I will particularly enjoy, naturally. It's a good question though.
- Would I actually need insurance cover for a dance school?
1. What do I like to do with my time?
2. What technical skills have I learned or developed?
3. What do others say I am good at?
4. How much time do I have to run a successful business?
5. Do I have any hobbies or interests that are marketable?
This digital book will be good for me to recap on later on in my career as it's full of useful information that could help me in other areas that might creep up on me.
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My final piece of literature is by a Belly dancer teacher named; Keti Sharif. http://www.gildedserpent.com/art37/KetiStudio.html
Her article theme is of course based on starting a dance studio for belly dancing, but it also gives similar motives and advice as Lois Tucker's article such as; studio location and the things to avoid, ventilation and flooring etc.
But, being belly dance themed, she also gives some clues about decor as well as safe flooring and good space.
- Is studio decor important?
- If I were to decorate a studio (that I owned), what theme could I use for decor?
This is fantastic advice yet I think I may very well have considered using either of these options depending on whether I rent or buy in the future anyway, but the chances of me buying straight away is quite minimal and therefore I would need to focus on asking the landlord's permission, if I'm the only one renting anyway.
Keti Sharif's article gives a lot of other advice such as; Studio scheduling, programming, implementing programs; setting you apart from the rest and marketing and advertising.
This piece of literature is very suggestive and even gives ideas on boosting business revenue and profile with things like; workshops, charity events and selling products (maybe have a small tuck shop.)
Each piece of literature is beneficial for my future career as they each come from a different viewpoint/perspective which I believe is incredibly important for me to inquire into.
(Here are some of my notes, which was advised in the Reader to do)
'Keeeeeeeep blogging'
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