A ballroom dance business provides ballroom dance lessons in a well-appointed studio. It can train teams that participate in national or regional competitions and also provide dance lessons for those who simply want to learn how to dance. A ballroom dance lessons business may be associated with a recreational center or a club, and may offer classes for both interested dancers as well as teachers.
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Start a ballroom dance lessons business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Ballroom Dance Lessons Business
- Form your Ballroom Dance Lessons Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Ballroom Dance Lessons Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Ballroom Dance Lessons Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Ballroom Dance Lessons Business
- Get Ballroom Dance Lessons Business Insurance
- Define your Ballroom Dance Lessons Business Brand
- Create your Ballroom Dance Lessons Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your ballroom dance lessons business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Ballroom Dance Lessons Business Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a ballroom dance lessons business?
The three biggest costs involved in starting a ballroom dance lessons business are the cost of the studio or building, the cost of insurance, and the salaries of your employees. Buying an appropriate building can be extremely expensive, so the beginner should consider renting and/or renovating a commercial space. You will need to have a high level of liability insurance that covers instructors, students, and guests, plus any attendees at events that are held in the space.
Start-up requirements for a dance studio are estimated to be $50,000 – $75,000. This includes facility costs (dance space, bathrooms, convenient parking, etc.), equipment (large wall mirrors, good sound system, etc.) staff salaries, advertising (signage, website costs, videos, promotional items, and content marketing).
What are the ongoing expenses for a ballroom dance lessons business?
Ongoing expenses for a ballroom dance lessons business include rent or mortgage payments, salaries for yourself and your employees, liability insurance, electricity, computers / wifi, and cleaning expenses. There will also be the cost of advertising in all formats.
According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a dance instructor is around $32,000. That means for each teacher on your staff you should expect to pay around $2,500 monthly, depending on your location.
Who is the target market?
Clients from all walks of life are welcome, especially those people who love social dancing, exercise, and the opportunity to meet new people. Separate classes are encouraged for beginning casual dancers and for professional dancers who are interested in training for local, regional or national competitions. The competitive classes should be held often since rigorous training is necessary to compete at higher levels.
Ideal students are those who enjoy dancing, and who have some discretionary income that can be spent on regular lessons. Otherwise, students can come from all walks of life, young and old.
How does a ballroom dance lessons business make money?
A ballroom dance business generates revenue in several ways:
- Primary source of income will be from fees for classes
- Studio space can be leased out to independent instructors
- Recitals and other special performances can generate ticket sales
- Social dancing, competitive dancing, and wedding choreography classes can bring in extra revenue
- Supplemental revenue could come from the sale of dance shoes, clothing, or costumes
How much can you charge customers?
There are many levels of payment, depending on what program the client selects. A beginner package, which might include 4 private lessons and 2 or 3 social lessons, can cost anywhere from $250 to $400. Monthly competitive packages might include a combination of unlimited practice, supervised practice, several drills and rounds from $140 a month up to $500 a month.
How much profit can a ballroom dance lessons business make?
According to a recent online study, ballroom dance classes have benefited from dance-inspired TV shows, and are more popular than ever before. Let’s say you have a total of 200 students paying $150 per month, or $30,000. Deducting regular expenses, it is possible to generate 10-20% profit.
How can you make your business more profitable?
You can make your business more profitable by adding classes and setting up a few side businesses, like selling ballroom-appropriate shoes, clothes, and dance costumes. Another way to increase profits would be to expand your studio to the nearest metropolitan area. With more locations, you’ll be able to reach a much wider population and attract many more students.
If you can establish a reputable and successful brand for your business,, and especially if you can connect your business with a famous dance professional, there is a potential for franchising your dance studio. Fred Astaire Dance Studios estimates that each franchise will cost between $87,500 to $190,000. As the business owner, you would receive a significant portion of the initial franchising fee, plus a percentage of all of the franchised business’ annual earnings (usually 8-10%).
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your ballroom dance lessons business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your ballroom dance lessons business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
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Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our How to Start a Business guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best Business Formation Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a boutique tour business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Liability Waiver
It is advisable to provide clients with informed consent agreements to decrease legal liability and encourage transparency. Here is an example of a liability waiver, sometimes called an “informed consent agreement.”
Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional release of liability form for your ballroom dance lessons business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.
Certificate of Occupancy
A ballroom dance lessons business is generally run out of a studio. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
- If you plan to lease a studio location:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a ballroom dance lessons business.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
- If you plan to purchase or build a studio location:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your ballroom dance lessons business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Ballroom Dance Lessons Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Ballroom Dance Lessons Business.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a ballroom dance lessons business
Like the very successful Arthur Murray Dance Studios, offering a free first lesson without any obligation is a great promotional technique. Advertising is crucial – from posters, leaflets, and local papers to web pages, blog posts, Google+, etc. Hosting a local dance competition can also be a great way to generate more interest in your business.
How to keep customers coming back
Think outside the box when trying to attract customers. Present a program on your local cable TV station. Offer a Groupon for reduced rate lessons. Approach local schools and ask if you can put on a performance or demonstration in their auditorium. You can also offer students free lesson on their birthdays, and discounts for regular attendance.
Another great way to attract customers is to invite popular dancers to come and lead special workshops or give performances at your studio.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
This business is good for a person who has experience and knowledge of ballroom dancing, both competitive and social, and has access to a commercial space, preferably with hardwood floors. A person without the necessary experience to teach but who has a strong interest in dance could hire a few well-trained professionals to give the classes.
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What happens during a typical day at a ballroom dance lessons business?
If a ballroom dance business owner teaches classes, that will take up a good part of their day. Other parts of the day are concerned with the coordination of schedules and lesson times of the instructors. They must make sure that there’s no double-booking or any other problem that would interfere with class timings. The ballroom area must be kept clean and the hardwood floors should shine. A business owner can do this either by cleaning the space personally, or hiring reliable help.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful ballroom dance lessons business?
The owner of a ballroom dance lessons business needs to have a good basic understanding of all types of ballroom dancing, from the simple social activity to the more competitive classes. It is not required that an instructor have certification, but it is preferable, and certification can be obtained from several organizations, including the National Dance Teacher’s Association. It also helps to be fairly athletic, as teaching dance for many hours multiple days per week can be quite physically straining.
As owner, you also be knowledgeable about possible levels of competitive exhibition style dancing – local, regional, State, and National.
What is the growth potential for a ballroom dance lessons business?
Growth potential is related to many factors, including successful advertising, the popularity of TV dance programs in your area, increased per capita disposable income, population spread, and urban density. If all these factors are in place, you can follow the example of the famous Arthur Murray Studios, which expanded greatly by franchising their business.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a ballroom dance lessons business?
If the perfect space isn’t attainable at first, consider renting space from the American Legion, or the local Moose or Elks club, or even a school that you can use in the evenings. Teach the classes yourself at first if you are qualified. Ask local schools if there are dance students that are looking for an internship or teaching experience. Once you’ve trained a few students, consider asking the best students to join your team as assistant instructors.
How and when to build a team
Remember, ballroom dancing is itself a team sport. It will be extremely hard to teach all the classes yourself, so be prepared to hire well-qualified instructors early on in the process. If you lease studio space to other teachers, make sure that your renters have are able to give their input, and that they have the opportunity to meet you and other instructors and renters. A weekly or monthly meeting with snacks or drinks can be a welcome opportunity to exchange stories and information. Later on they may become helpful business partners.
Useful Links
Industry Opportunities
- Ballroom Dance Teacher’s College
- National Dance Council of America (you can get a Certified Dance Teacher License here)
- USA Dance Inc
- National Dance Teachers Association of America
- Arthur Murray Dance Center