In Episode 86, we welcome back Melissa McGee from Lineage Dance in Columbus, Ohio. Melissa has had incredible growth since opening her studio just a few years ago, and she’s here to continue our 5 Fun Things series and share what she’s doing at her studio right now that you might want to try, too!

1. Back-to-Dance Merchandise Boxes
Melissa noticed there weren’t many local dancewear shopping options, so she created an easy, branded “dancewear in a box” package. Parents can order or attend try-on nights, and each box includes everything dancers need—shoes, tights, leotards, and more—ready for pickup at the studio’s open house. It’s a huge time-saver for parents and ensures dancers are performance-ready from day one.

2. Choreo Camp with Clues
For their competition hip hop production, Melissa added extra excitement by mailing physical clues to dancers before camp. Each clue hinted at the theme, building anticipation and making the choreo week feel like a big reveal and team-bonding event.

3. Friday Night Lights Parents’ Night Out
Capitalizing on football season, the studio offers themed “Friday Night Lights” events so parents can enjoy the game while younger dancers have fun at the studio. These are offered a few times each fall, sell out quickly, and are a great way to provide a community service while bringing in extra revenue.

4. Studio Orientation Videos with Kids as Hosts
Melissa’s team created short, engaging social media videos featuring an adorable young dancer guiding viewers through the new studio space. This fun, shareable format communicates important information in a way parents and kids love—while also showing off the studio’s personality.

5. Academic Partnership Incentive (In the Works!)
Inspired by programs like Pizza Hut’s “Book It,” Melissa is working with a local business, Storyline, to create a reward system for academic achievements. The idea is to encourage dancers to excel both in the studio and at school, with incentives like dancewear or special perks for reaching reading or grade goals.

We love how Melissa combines smart business ideas, strong branding, and creative twists to make her studio experience stand out. Whether it’s streamlining the parent experience, building anticipation for big events, or finding new ways to connect with the community, these 5 Fun Things are full of inspiration you can adapt for your own studio!

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