From School Halls to 480 Students: Maree's Dance Studio Glow-Up

Ever looked around your studio and thought, “There has to be a better way?”

Maree from Dancing With Maree knows that feeling all too well. Her story isn’t about overnight success. It’s about years of hustle, a few breakdowns (hello, crying in the car), and a huge glow-up in confidence and business smarts.

The ‘Before’ Picture
Maree began her journey like many studio owners: talented, passionate, and totally unprepared for the business side of things. She taught from multiple school halls, juggled young kids, and ran herself ragged without ever paying herself a wage. Her “business” was more of a time-consuming hobby that drained her energy and bank account.

“I relied on my husband’s wage to cover the mortgage,” she admits. “I didn’t even realise I was allowed to pay myself.”

It wasn’t until a literal disaster—being told 15 minutes before class that her hall floor was being renovated—that she hit breaking point. 50 students were due to arrive, and she had nowhere for them to dance. She cried. She panicked. Then she made a choice: “I can’t live like this anymore.”

The Turning Point
That moment cracked something open. Maree started looking—really looking—for a new way. She found Amanda and Bec through a Facebook ad and dove into training and support. She signed a lease on a studio space (terrifying!) and began rebuilding from the ground up.

That decision changed everything.

The Power of Systems (and Self-Belief)
Maree didn’t just build a better studio. She built a better life.

• She embraced the 75 Hard challenge, committing to daily movement, social media consistency, and moments of me-time. Her mental clarity and studio visibility skyrocketed.
• She created a system called Hour of Power—60 minutes a day of undistracted, revenue-generating work. No admin. No costumes. Just focus.
• She reimagined staff training to be less about rules and more about relationships—with affirmations, chocolates, and even awards like “Human Confetti” and “Voice of an Angel, Volume of a Megaphone.”
• She empowered her team to create their own critical paths for concert day—giving them ownership, clarity, and the confidence to run the show.

Studio Life Now

Maree now runs a thriving studio with:

• 480 students
• 1500+ class placements
• A high-retention team culture
• Weekends (mostly) off
• And a renewed love for dance and business

What You Can Steal From Maree

• Have the scary conversation. If your current setup isn’t working, change it.
• Empower your staff. When people feel trusted, they show up differently.
• Invest in your growth. Coaching, support, and community matter.
• Systems = freedom. Whether it’s critical paths or content planning, structure makes space.

Maree's journey reminds us all: it’s never too late to get serious about your business. If you’re stuck in survival mode, it’s not a sign to quit—it’s a sign to grow.

You’re allowed to want more.

You’re allowed to change your mind.

And you’re absolutely allowed to build a studio that supports your life - not the other way around.

👉 Want support like Maree has? Come join us in the Tribe. First two weeks are free. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.