"We Were Ready to Quit..." - How This Regional Studio Turned It Around

Running a Studio Where the Closest Shop Is 2 Hours Away

What do you do when your suitcase goes missing, there's a cyclone brewing, and the closest clothes shop is literally two hours away? If you're visiting Beck and Kat at Pulse Performing Arts, you just laugh, borrow some clothes, and get on with the job.

This story might sound like a comedy of errors, but it sets the scene perfectly for what it really looks like to run a studio in rural Australia—and the kind of grit, creativity, and resilience it takes to thrive.

The Reality of Regional Studio Life

Running a studio in a big city comes with its challenges, sure. But running one in the middle of nowhere? That’s a whole different game. Limited staffing options. A transient population. Fewer students to draw from. No shopping centres, no entertainment hubs, and often, no dancewear stores within cooee.

For Beck and Kat, this was their everyday reality in Moranbah—a Queensland mining town that’s home to a tight-knit community and not much else. When they opened their brand-new studio space, it wasn’t with the glossy polish of a capital city launch. It was built with grit. Literally. They painted walls, laid flooring, and cleaned until 2am the night before Open Week.

And it paid off. That Open Week saw them triple their class numbers and win a competition for the highest percentage of new placements across Australia.

From Teachers to CEOs

Their real turning point, though, came when they made a mindset shift. They stopped seeing themselves just as teachers trying to keep things afloat and started operating like business owners with a mission.

They learned to:

Track their numbers daily

Delegate tasks and train staff using licensed programs

Understand marketing beyond word-of-mouth

Own their leadership role and build team culture intentionally

Kat, a music teacher and tech whiz, admitted she'd always lived life behind the scenes. Stepping into leadership felt uncomfortable—but now she’s embracing it with purpose.

Isolation vs. Connection

One of the biggest emotional challenges for regional studio owners is isolation. Not just physical (though that too!)—but feeling like no one else gets it. The late nights. The lack of local resources. The fear that the city-based advice won’t apply to your small town.

That’s where community becomes non-negotiable. For Beck and Kat, joining a larger support network changed everything. They found other studio owners who understood, encouraged, and shared real, practical tools.

As they said, "We didn’t stop having challenges—but now we don’t face them alone."

Performing Without the Big Stage

You’d think being so remote would mean fewer performance opportunities. But these two have flipped the script. They’ve partnered with local councils, mining expos, and community events to get their kids onstage regularly. Whether it’s carols, local festivals, or opening ceremonies for new mines, they’ve made performing a consistent and visible part of their studio culture.

It’s not about the size of the stage—it’s about the pride it builds.

The Power of "Why Not Us?"

What really stood out was their decision to stop assuming success was only for studios in bigger places. They started asking, “Why not us?”

Why can’t we have thriving programs? Why can’t we build a team? Why can’t we be known beyond our postcode?

Turns out, they could. They just needed the right support and a belief that their goals weren’t too big for their town.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a studio owner—especially in a rural or regional area—let this be your reminder: your location doesn’t limit your impact. Yes, it’s harder in many ways. But it’s also richer in community, resilience, and reward.

You can run a profitable, joyful, sustainable studio in a small town. You can lead with confidence, build a brilliant team, and create opportunities your students will never forget.

And if you’re feeling like you’ve hit a wall? Maybe it’s not about pushing harder—but reaching out.

💕 Want support like Beck and Kat? Come say hi inside the Tribe—first 2 weeks are on us.
https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/