What is it like to be a traveling coach/judge/examiner?

[mop6686]

I am an experienced dance instructor and I am in the process of deciding what career path to focus on.

My current boss wants me and my dance partner to help him open a 2nd franchise location in our area. He would own 50% and my dance partner and I would own 25% each. This will require a significant financial investment in an area where I'm not even sure that I want to put down roots. And the return will be slow, which will make leaving the area in the future difficult. However, without his help it sounds nigh impossible to start a studio on my own in another state due to start up costs and the like. I am 32 and also want to have children in the next few years.

Another option for me is the traveling coach/judge route, but I don't know much about the lifestyle and ins and outs.

Has anyonehere chosen between owning a studio or being a coach? Do you do both? How did you get to where you are? What is a day in your life like?

Thanks!

 

[jump'n'jive]

Studio owner here and I also do some traveling coaching.

You would be very surprised how little money it takes to open a studio. And if you find a desperate enough landlord you can probably get it built out on their dime. Its called tenant improvement funds. With a 25% stake you are going to hate life. Only go ownership route if you are 50/50 or 100.

Traveling coaching is fun but I couldn't do it all the time. I have a wife and kids and a studio. My good friend is on the road 5/6 days a week and he enjoys it.

If you go that route how are you going to get studios to book you?

 

[mop6686]

Studio owner here and I also do some traveling coaching.

You would be very surprised how little money it takes to open a studio. And if you find a desperate enough landlord you can probably get it built out on their dime. Its called tenant improvement funds. With a 25% stake you are going to hate life. Only go ownership route if you are 50/50 or 100.

How much did it cost to open your studio? Do you own a franchise or independent studio? My boss has a penchant for paying to build out industrial spaces, so the landlords won't fund it. That's what he wants to do with the 2nd studio.

Traveling coaching is fun but I couldn't do it all the time. I have a wife and kids and a studio. My good friend is on the road 5/6 days a week and he enjoys it.

Is it possible to make enough money and maintain a career as a coach part time?

If you go that route how are you going to get studios to book you?

Not really sure. I'm in the exploratory process right now. How do you get studios to book yourself? I don't want to ask my franchisee, because he will know that I am exploring other options.

Thanks for all the info!

 

[tangotime]

ent studio?

My boss has a penchant for paying to build out industrial spaces, so the landlords won't fund it. That's what he wants to do with the 2nd studio.



Is it possible to make enough money and maintain a career as a coach part time?



Not really sure. I'm in the exploratory process right now. How do you get studios to book yourself?

I was a " travelling " coach for over 30 years. And, I also have owned studios. Unless you build a good dance profile , then getting work for coaching ( (unless you are world re-knowned ) will not provide a living. If you decide to give it a try, then phone calls is the answer to getting work .

Doing your own build is the best way to go IF there is enough business to sustain a long term occupation .

 

[jump'n'jive]

I built out a industrial/flex space building. I occupy 1/3 of the building. Just under 6000 sqft. My studio ran $100k+ build out. Since people known me in break life on here and some here come go my studio I do not want to say all the details.

I coach at multiple studios from word of mouth , Facebook has led two a few studios and talking with people at comps.


If you are part of the franchise world and want to coach you need to make a big name for yourself in your style and make top 3 and then you'll never have to worry about traveling. You'll getto be on the franchise dance board and other franchise schools will always being you in