Keeping Up With the Joneses – Who Are the Joneses, and Why If Your Name Is Steve

I recently read a very heartfelt email from a studio owner who has been part of the dance community for many years. In my mind, she’s what we would call a true lifer. Someone who has put in the time, the long hours, the weekends, the emotional investment, the ups and downs that come with dedicating your life to this art form and to teaching the next generation.

And yet, despite all that experience, there was still a concern in her message that I think many studio owners quietly carry with them.

Her question was simple, but heavy:

What do small studio owners have to do to keep up with the seemingly impossible demands of the competitive dance world?

The culture that has grown around competition—where, in many cases, success seems to be defined almost entirely by the award.

And underneath that question was the one that really sits in the pit of your stomach as a business owner:

“If I don’t do what they do… will I still be able to keep my doors open?”

That’s a tough place to be.

Because when you look around, it can sometimes feel like everyone else is on a different train—moving faster, producing more routines, attending more competitions, chasing more trophies. It can feel like if you’re not doing the same, somehow, you’re falling behind.

I like to call that train “The Crazy Train.”

But here’s the thing.

I know studios—large operations with hundreds of students and multiple locations—that have managed to grow while never losing their integrity. They’ve built thriving businesses while still holding onto that small-town feeling of community, respect, and purpose.

I recently interviewed two people in our community who run a very large and successful organization. When I asked them how they manage to stay grounded while running such a big operation, they shared a phrase they use all the time.

They said they always follow their “North Star.”

Their North Star is their values.
Their mission.
Their reason for doing what they do.

And they told me something that really stuck with me:

They protect that North Star no matter what.

Even when a parent asks for something different.
Even when a student wants something trendier.
Even when the industry seems to be pulling in another direction.

Because once you lose sight of that North Star, you start steering your ship based on someone else’s compass.

And that’s where I think the real issue lies for many studio owners.

Not in the competitions.
Not in the awards.
Not even in the industry trends.

It comes down to something much deeper.

Confidence.

Confidence in yourself.

Confidence in your training.

Confidence in your values and your philosophy as an educator.

Because when that confidence is strong, something interesting happens.

You stop chasing the industry…

…and the right people start finding you.

Parents who care about development.
Students who want to grow.
Families who value discipline, mentorship, and community.

They come not because of the banners on your wall.

They come because the work you do on the dance floor translates far beyond the dance floor.

You’re not just building dancers.

You’re building humans.

Humans with confidence.
Humans with work ethic.
Humans with resilience, creativity, and respect.

And that… that is the kind of studio where I would want to bring my own kids.

Now I want to share what I believe is the most important part of this entire conversation.

As educators, performers, mentors—ambassadors for this art form—we must never lose the mindset of “Always a Student.”

The moment we believe we’ve learned enough… we stop growing.

Continuing to invest in your own development as a teacher is not optional. It’s essential.

Workshops.
Training programs.
Mentorship.
Professional development.

Not just for your students—but for you.

Because when you invest in yourself, something powerful happens.

Your confidence grows.
Your clarity grows.
Your conviction grows.

And suddenly you realize that your vision for your studio isn’t something you need to defend or compare.

It’s something you can stand behind proudly.

And that kind of pride doesn’t come from the number of students in your lobby.

It comes from the quality of the students you are shaping.

It doesn’t come from the number of trophies on your shelf.

It comes from the confidence, discipline, and character you instill in the young people standing at your barre.

One more thought that often gets overlooked.

Build your life—and your business—in a way where your expenses don’t force you to chase things that don’t align with your values.

When your studio must constantly grow just to survive financially, it becomes much harder to stay true to your philosophy.

But when your business is built thoughtfully and sustainably, you give yourself the freedom to say:

“This is who we are.”
“This is how we train.”
“This is what we believe in.”

And the right community will gather around that.

So, to Mr. and Mrs. Jones…

It’s nice to meet you.

But my name is Steve.

And I’m stickin with that.