138 | Divorce, Motherhood, and Refusing to Play Small with Laura Giacomelli

138 | Divorce, Motherhood, and Refusing to Play Small with Laura Giacomelli

In this episode of Dance Studio Owner Life Coaching, Ginger talks with Laura Giacomelli, owner and founder of Libra Dance Studio in Warminster, Pennsylvania. Laura shares openly about divorce, single motherhood, business ownership, financial independence, and what changed when she stopped playing small. Her story is honest, practical, and deeply relevant for dance studio owners who are building businesses while also navigating real life. Laura talks about filing for divorce in January 2024, the importance of protecting her business with a prenup, and how that decision helped her keep ownership of the studio she had built. She also reflects on how she changed after divorce, describing how her ambition and creativity expanded once she had the freedom to make decisions fully on her own. The conversation also explores what it means to run your studio like a real business. Laura explains why studio owners need to know their numbers, set financial goals, make profitable scheduling decisions, and think long term about owner pay, retirement, and personal financial stability. Laura also shares about being a single mom to her son Cole, advocating for him as a child with special needs, and creating a business structure that allows her to be present for her family. With strong systems, delegation, and the right team in place, Laura has built a studio that supports her life and gives her room to grow. About Laura Giacomelli Laura Giacomelli is a Philadelphia native, entrepreneur, and dance industry professional with more than 15 years of experience as a studio owner and 23 years as an educator. She is a sought-after business presenter, social media content creator, and mentor who is passionate about helping dance studio owners build successful, sustainable businesses. As a single mother to her son, Cole, who is autistic, Laura is also a dedicated advocate for neurodiversity and inclusion. Her personal and professional experiences have shaped her commitment to creating supportive environments where all children can thrive. Laura has intentionally built a business and lifestyle that prioritizes both professional success and family, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve meaningful work-life balance while growing a thriving studio and remaining fully present as a parent. Through her speaking, mentoring, and educational content, she inspires others to pursue success on their own terms while leading with purpose, passion, and authenticity. You can find Laura online at: Studio Website: libradancestudio.com Instagram: @misslauragiacomelli If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to get on The Leadership Roundtable newsletter. Enjoy twice monthly tools, inspiration and life coaching delivered to your inbox. Subscribe today. [https://thestudioownerlifecoach.com/newsletter]

137 | Studio Ownership, Family, and Finding Yourself Again with Judy Sullivan

In this episode of Dance Studio Owner Life Coaching, Ginger talks with Judy Sullivan, owner of Silver City Dance Center in Taunton, Massachusetts, as part of the series The Life We Build. Judy is celebrating 25 years as a dance studio owner, and her story is full of lessons on longevity, family, boundaries, delegation, and staying connected to the person you are outside of your business. Judy shares how she went from performing in New York City to opening her own studio, even though owning a dance studio was not originally part of her plan. She reflects on the early years of figuring out pricing, enrollment, staffing, and growth without a business background, and how she learned to build a studio that aligned with her values. Ginger and Judy also talk honestly about raising children while running a studio, the challenges of having your own children dance at your school, the importance of setting boundaries with families and staff, and why studio owners need lives beyond the studio walls. One of the most powerful parts of Judy's story is how returning to performing helped her hire more teachers, delegate classes, and rediscover a piece of herself that had been set aside for years. Her story is a reminder that your studio can be a meaningful part of your life while still leaving room for your family, your creativity, and your own personal growth. About Judy Sullivan A native of Berkley, MA, she has danced since the age of 3, studying with Carole Miller in Taunton. She started teaching her own dance classes at the age of 15 and found her true calling in life. Judy graduated with a BA in Theatre and Dance from Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. After college, she moved to NYC where she performed on the steps of Federal Hall in a Musical by Jonathan Larson called JP Morgan Saves the Nation, and also toured around the Southern US/East Coast with A Christmas Carol. She opened up SCDC in 2001 to inspire the next generation of dancers. Since 2020, she has participated in 'online school' and has taken many interactive seminars to continue her education: business, finance, preschool dance, child behavior and development and Tap History, among others. She has completed her Certificate in Dance Entrepreneurship and her Level One Mental Health Wellness Certificate. She is currently certified by test to teach through Acrobatic Arts for Acro, the Dance Teachers Club of Boston and the American Society, Dance Masters of America in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz and continues to participate in continuing education seminars through their organizations. She has recently appeared as both a guest and as a co-host on Rhee Gold's "Living the Dream" Podcast. This summer she is on Faculty at the Dance Life Teacher Conference in Florida. In 2024, she choreographed "Rent" for Falmouth Theater Guild. She is extremely proud to be celebrating 25 years as a business owner in Downtown Taunton. If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to get on The Leadership Roundtable newsletter. Enjoy twice monthly tools, inspiration and life coaching delivered to your inbox. Subscribe today. [https://thestudioownerlifecoach.com/newsletter]

136 | Going on Sabbatical in 26-27 Season + The Life We Build Series Coming Soon

In this episode of Dance Studio Owner Life Coaching, Ginger shares the personal story behind her decision to take a teaching sabbatical for the 2026–2027 dance season after more than 25 years of teaching. She talks honestly about what led to this decision, why it feels both exciting and unfamiliar, and how slowly handing off choreography and classroom responsibilities has opened up space for a new season of leadership. Ginger reflects on the joy of watching her staff step forward, seeing dancers perform in the community, and realizing that stepping back from teaching does not mean stepping away from the studio. Instead, this sabbatical is about rest, renewal, curiosity, and allowing herself to discover what comes next. This episode also introduces the upcoming podcast series, The Life We Build, a collection of honest conversations with dance studio owners about identity, relationships, motherhood, divorce, transition, second careers, and life beyond the business. The series is designed to highlight the real stories of women in the dance studio industry and create space for deeper conversations that are often left unspoken. Join The Leadership Roundtable Newsletter and get two emails of inspiration and life coaching per month: https://thestudioownerlifecoach.com/newsletter

135 | Your Body Is Trying to Get Your Attention: A conversation about burnout with Jaclyn Smith

In this episode of Dance Studio Owner Life Coaching, Ginger talks with Jaclyn Smith, a former dance studio owner and current mental health therapist in New Jersey, about the real cost of studio ownership when self-care keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the list. Jaclyn shares her journey from growing up in a dance studio, opening her own school, expanding into a 13,000-square-foot facility with six classrooms, and eventually closing her studio after an unexpected real estate shift forced her to reevaluate her life, her health, and her identity. This conversation goes far beyond surface-level self-care. Jaclyn explains why bubble baths and weekends away may offer short-term relief, but deeper self-care requires honest identity work, body awareness, and a willingness to stop ignoring the warning signs. Together, Ginger and Jaclyn discuss how dance studio owners, especially women in this industry, often normalize pushing through pain, delaying medical appointments, skipping rest, and treating every studio problem as their personal responsibility. Jaclyn brings both her lived experience and her mental health perspective to the conversation, helping studio owners understand why the body's signals matter and what can happen when we continue to ignore them. Jaclyn Augustyn Smith Jaclyn is a graduate clinical mental health counseling student at Rider University, where she is completing her MA with a specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy (R-DMT). She holds a BFA in Dance Education from The Ohio State University and brings an extensive range of certifications to her work, including Board Certified Coach (BCC), Certified Sports Counseling, Pilates and Group Fitness Instruction, Injury Prevention, Certified Health Coach and Nutrition from The Ohio State University, and Certified Peri/Post-Natal Fitness and Nutrition. Jaclyn currently serves as Studio Services Manager at Dance Device Lab, President of Chi Sigma Iota — the Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International chapter at Rider University — and Student Representative on the Rider University Counseling Advisory Board. Her clinical training has been shaped by 200 hours of supervised experience across two inpatient settings — Princeton House Behavioral Health in Princeton, NJ and Pinelands Recovery Center in Medford, NJ — where her focus has centered on integrating movement-based interventions with evidence-based counseling to support emotional and behavioral change. Jaclyn's work lives at the intersection of somatic practice, mental health, and nervous system regulation, with particular attention to trauma-informed care, emotional attunement, co-regulation, burnout recovery, and mental health within performance and movement communities. She is available for one-on-one and small group coaching. Movewellmindbody.com [https://Movewellmindbody.com] Instagram: @unpackedwithjac If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to get on The Leadership Roundtable newsletter. Enjoy twice monthly tools, inspiration and life coaching delivered to your inbox. Subscribe today. [https://thestudioownerlifecoach.com/newsletter]

134 | Stop Resenting the Work You Asked For

Do you ever catch yourself complaining about the work you do, the customers you serve, or the responsibilities that come with owning a business? In this episode, Ginger talks about the mindset shift that happens when business owners move from frustration and complaint into appreciation and ownership. Whether you are running a dance studio, launching a new program, managing customer questions, or trying to grow your income, your attitude toward the work matters. Ginger shares how complaints about customers, money, and workload can quietly affect the way you show up in your business. She also challenges studio owners to recognize the privilege and responsibility of building something that creates income, serves families, and provides jobs for others. This episode is a reminder that more money will not automatically create more gratitude. Appreciation has to begin with what you already have, the customers you already serve, and the income your business is already producing. Subscribe to the Leadership Roundtable Newsletter to get inspiration and insight for dance studio owners: https://thestudioownerlifecoach.com/newsletter