In this candid episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton tackles a hard truth: the gym down the street isn’t your enemy. Most programs are serving 1–2.5% of local youth, which means the real opportunity isn’t poaching athletes—it’s growing awareness of all-star cheer, tumbling, and youth programs so more families enter the sport in the first place. You’ll hear why your true competition is often soccer, volleyball, and other full-time sports, not fellow cheer owners, and how collaborative marketing can lift every program in your area. What you’ll learn: Why the market is far from saturated—and how to reach first-time families How two gyms marketing simultaneously can increase total demand Practical ways to coordinate offers, timing, and messaging with nearby gyms How to reduce “poaching panic” and refocus on long-term athlete pipelines (hello, ages 7–8) A mindset shift that creates calmer seasons, better culture, and more revenue for everyone If you’re a cheer gym owner, coach, or program director, this episode is your blueprint for going from rivalry to real growth—together.

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton breaks down everything gym owners and coaches need to know about the Limited Division at USASF Worlds—where it came from, who it’s meant for, and why it’s become one of the sport’s most misunderstood divisions. Dan dives into the history of Extra Small and Limited, the original protections that worked, and the loopholes that have caused frustration for smaller programs. He also shares his personal experience moving teams in and out of the division, and what changes could make it fair for everyone. You’ll learn: The true purpose of the Limited Division and how it started Why the “D2 + one Worlds team” rule still matters Where the system broke—and how to fix it Why removing the division entirely would hurt small gyms If you’re a cheer gym owner, coach, or Worlds-level athlete, this episode gives you a real, unfiltered look at what’s working, what’s broken, and what Limited needs to survive.

Competition season is here—don’t just survive it, thrive. In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton shares 10 battle-tested tips to make comp days smoother, calmer, and more successful for cheer gym owners and coaches. You’ll learn how to delegate non-coaching tasks, systemize your pre-comp and day-of communications, book cleanup/choreo help early, fuel yourself with a real comp-day meal plan, script routines to read the score sheet like a pro, and assign social media coverage so every team gets seen. What you’ll take away: A step-by-step delegation plan so you can focus on athletes when it matters most. Plug-and-play systems for itineraries, parent messages, and day-of updates. When to schedule choreo cleanups and guest coaches so you’re not scrambling later. A realistic comp-day nutrition plan that keeps your energy steady all weekend. How to script skills to protect difficulty and make smarter AccuScore conversations. Content assignments for staff that fill your feed with quality photos and video. Perfect for cheer gym owners, head coaches, and program directors who want fewer fires, better performances, and a calmer staff experience—week after week.