In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton shares how Oregon Dream Teams booked 17 birthday parties in only 14 days, generating more than $6,000 in new revenue. He breaks down the strategies that worked, including the email and text marketing campaigns, Facebook ads, follow-up systems, and adjustments that turned interest into bookings. If you run a cheer gym, tumbling program, or youth sports facility, this episode gives you the step-by-step approach to filling your calendar with profitable birthday parties. Learn how to create promotions that convert, leverage your lead lists effectively, and build systems that consistently bring in new revenue streams for your gym.

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton sits down with Carli Jordan, owner of North Dakota Cheer Tech, to unpack her inspiring journey from coach to gym owner. Carli shares how she purchased her gym right out of college, navigated the challenges of running a cheer business in a small market, and grew her program to eight competitive teams and 200 athletes. You’ll hear how she structured her gym purchase, balanced a full-time career with gym ownership, expanded programs to meet family needs, and used modern marketing strategies to grow cheerleading in North Dakota. This conversation is packed with actionable insights for cheer coaches and gym owners on financing, systems, staff training, retention, and building culture. Whether you dream of owning a gym someday or want to improve the one you already run, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes.

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton tackles one of the biggest myths in the cheer industry: the belief that successful systems only work for large, well-established programs like Oregon Dream Teams. Dan shares how ODT started with just 43 all star athletes and no tumbling program, and how the growth to hundreds of athletes came from consistent systems, smart changes, and a willingness to challenge limiting beliefs. You’ll hear why excuses like “our families won’t accept that” or “that only works at big gyms” are holding you back, and how you can implement the same strategies in gyms of any size. From restructuring private lessons to setting athlete expectations and building a recognizable brand, Dan explains how proven systems can be adapted to any program. If you want to stop relying on excuses and start creating real growth in your cheer gym, this episode will show you exactly how to make it happen. Dan shares why speed-to-contact dramatically increases conversion rates, how to build a reliable follow-up system, and what mistakes gym owners make when managing their lead lists. You will learn how to identify qualified leads, nurture interest, and close more sales without wasting time on the wrong people. This episode is designed for cheer gym owners and coaches who want to grow enrollment, increase revenue, and create systems that ensure no opportunity is lost.

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton sits down with Nick Verburg, co-founder of Vision Cheer Company in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Vice President of Cheer Canada. Nick shares how Vision Cheer grew from a small garage space during the pandemic into a thriving nonprofit gym with more than 300 athletes and a flagship Worlds-level program. You’ll hear about the challenges of growing cheer in Canada, the benefits of running a nonprofit structure, and the strategies that helped Vision Cheer achieve nearly 99% athlete retention. Nick also explains how focusing on athlete experience, community involvement, and sport-first values can create sustainable growth and build a positive gym culture. This episode is packed with insights for cheer gym owners, coaches, and entrepreneurs who want to grow their programs, retain athletes, and learn from Canada’s rapid cheerleading success.

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton unpacks the three biggest lessons he learned during his gym’s annual staff training and retreat. From discovering that even experienced coaches don’t know the score sheet as well as they think, to uncovering how structured conversations unlock hidden problems, to realizing the untapped potential of younger staff members — these lessons can transform how you hire, train, and empower your team. If you want to build stronger staff, improve communication, and create a culture of growth in your cheer program, this episode will show you exactly where to start. Ideal for all star gym owners, coaches, and program directors who want to develop leaders, strengthen retention, and grow a successful cheer business.

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton sits down with Alicia Shaffer, the owner of GPX Cheer in Gillette, Wyoming. Alicia shares her inspiring story of launching a gym in a small community and growing it into a program that gives athletes big opportunities on major stages. Listeners will learn how to build a cheer gym in a small market, use sideline and half-year programs as powerful growth funnels, and market effectively when awareness of all star cheer is low. Alicia also talks about balancing gym ownership with being a coach, a mom of three, and a full-time professional outside the gym. Her story proves that small gyms can achieve big success when they focus on community, consistency, and creative business strategies.

What do you do when an athlete quits right before choreography? In this raw and timely episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton shares his real-life experience of losing a team member just hours before starting choreo. Dan opens up about: ✅ How to stay calm when athletes leave unexpectedly ✅ Strategies for keeping your team focused and motivated ✅ Recruitment tips to quickly fill key roles ✅ Why mindset and problem-solving matter more than panic ✅ Lessons every all star cheer coach and gym owner can apply If you’ve ever faced an athlete quitting mid-season, this episode will give you the perspective and tools to lead through adversity and keep your program on track. Perfect for cheer gym owners, all star coaches, and anyone managing competitive cheerleading teams.

Mental blocks, performance anxiety, and “hit zero” culture are some of the biggest challenges facing cheer coaches and gym owners today. In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton sits down with sports performance expert Jeff Benson, author of Unblocked: The Walls Come Tumbling Down. Together they dive into how to build a healthier gym culture, coach with psychological safety, and help athletes push through fear without sacrificing confidence. Whether you’re battling team-wide mental blocks, navigating parent expectations, or just trying to strengthen your program’s culture, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies you can apply right away. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why traditional “tough coaching” doesn’t work with today’s athletes How gym culture impacts performance and athlete retention The truth about “hit zero” and how it affects athlete mindset Practical tools for coaches to reduce fear and build resilience