In this episode of Rhee Gold's Dance Life Podcast, Stacey Morgan and Rhee Gold take a step back from the day-to-day chaos of studio life to talk about something many studio owners neglect: big, meaningful goal setting.

Inspired by a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Mel Robbins , Stacey shares the power of identifying your “wild card” goal — the one you’ve been putting off, downplaying, or convincing yourself is for someone else.

Together, they explore what it really means to be brave and courageous in business — not just in starting a studio, but in evolving it, challenging the norm, and dreaming beyond your current reality.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why studio owners often stop setting new goals once they’re “busy”
• The difference between running your business and intentionally growing it
• How to identify the big goal you’ve been avoiding (and why it matters)
• The importance of scheduling time to think, dream, and plan
• Why courage and creativity are essential in choreography, teaching, and leadership
• How the pandemic shifted mindsets and opened up new possibilities
• Balancing systems and structure with innovation and evolution
• Why “what’s next?” should always be part of your mindset
• The power of saying your goals out loud and making them real

Rhee reveals his journey of writing a long-awaited book for dance parents.

This episode is a reminder that while running a studio can feel repetitive and overwhelming, there is always space to dream bigger, think differently, and evolve.

Because the truth is:
You’re already living the dream you once had — now it’s time to decide what comes next.

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In this episode of Rhee Gold's Dance Life Podcast, Stacey Morgan and Rhee Gold challenge one of the most common mindsets in dance studio ownership: “It’s too late in the season to bring in new students.”

As recital season approaches and studios are deep in choreography, costumes, and competitions, many studio owners close their doors to new enrolments. But Stacey and Rhee argue that this approach is leaving significant revenue and opportunity on the table.

Instead, they explore how studio owners can think differently about their business model — creating flexible entry points, short-term programs, and alternative customer journeys that not only generate income now but also build a stronger foundation for the next season.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why turning away new students mid-season is a missed opportunity
• How short-term programs (4, 6, or 8 weeks) can become powerful revenue streams
• Creating a great customer experience for new students without forcing them into recital
• How to use mid-season enrolments as a lead generation strategy for the following year
• The importance of planning and marketing these programs well in advance
• Why experimenting with different formats, styles, and age groups is key to growth
• The concept of “up-serve vs upsell” and how to better serve your current families
• Using themed programs (like K-pop or musical theatre) to drive engagement
• Listening to your community and letting the market tell you what it wants
• Understanding modern customer behaviour and how it differs from traditional studio models
• Why flexibility, accessibility, and online registration are essential in 2026

Stacey shares a real-life example of launching a short-term “Hot Mama Hip Hop” class that filled quickly — proving that sometimes the best ideas come directly from your community.

Rhee reinforces the importance of evolving your business model, reminding studio owners that the industry is changing rapidly — and those who stay open to new ideas will thrive.

This episode is a powerful reminder that growth doesn’t only happen at the start of the season. With the right mindset and strategy, opportunities are everywhere — even in your busiest months.

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In Part Two of their conversation on competition culture, Stacey Morgan and Rhee Gold continue exploring how studio owners and teachers can create healthier, more inspiring competition experiences for their dancers.

Building on the themes of mentor, leader, and teacher, this episode focuses on the role teachers play during competition weekends — from the way they speak to their dancers, to the choreography choices they make, to how they react to results.

Rhee and Stacey discuss the importance of professionalism, emotional leadership, and thoughtful choreography that showcases dancers’ strengths rather than exposing their weaknesses. They also address common competition pitfalls, including over-rehearsing in hallways, negative commentary about judges or events, and social media reactions that can damage studio culture.

This conversation is a reminder that competition weekends are about far more than trophies or scores. They are opportunities for dancers to grow, build confidence, and experience the joy of performing — and teachers play a critical role in shaping that experience.

In this episode, Stacey and Rhee discuss:

• Why competition weekend should never become a high-stress rehearsal environment

• The importance of teachers modeling professionalism and emotional control

• How choreography should highlight what dancers do well rather than what they cannot yet execute

• The role of language in the classroom and how it impacts dancers’ confidence

• Why teachers must be mindful of how they react to judges, results, and competition logistics

• The dangers of venting frustrations on social media after a competition weekend

• Understanding the subjective nature of dance judging and competition scoring

• Why exposing dancers to strong competition ultimately helps them grow

• How competition weekends should reinforce community, mentorship, and joy

Rhee closes the episode with a powerful reminder: many teachers once dreamed of sitting in the audience watching their students perform at competitions. The key is remembering that dream and approaching every competition weekend with gratitude, professionalism, and perspective.

Because in the long run, dancers rarely remember the trophies — but they will always remember the mentors who believed in them.

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