Business Is Business

Or is it?

Dear Goldrush,

I just celebrated my 30th year of owning my school. Some of my students have moved on to professional careers in performing and teaching, and I am so proud of them! Recently one of my teachers informed me that she would be opening her own school next season. At first I was very excited for her—she had started dancing with me when she was 3; she’s now 33, and one of the only people who has remained with my school since the day its doors opened.

As I started to offer her advice, she stopped me, explaining that her new school would be located in a new shopping center directly across from my school. I almost fell off my chair! This is a former student whom I raised; I gave her free lessons, took her to workshops and conventions, and helped her financially to go to Teachers Training School. We are so close that she’s the godmother of my granddaughter. I am devastated.

In all my years of teaching, I have never been so down! I’m afraid she’s going to put me out of business because she’s been teaching more than 25 classes a week for me. All of my students love her and I think many will follow her. Her last words to me were, “Sorry, but business is business.” Should I close my school? How can I compete with a school that’s directed by a teacher whom I helped create? She knows everything about my business and had access to my mailing lists and the phone numbers of my students, whom she’s been calling to announce her new venture. I don’t know what to do. Can you offer me any advice? —Confused Dance Teacher, Oregon

You are not giving yourself enough credit. You write that she knows everything about your business—but she doesn’t know as much as you do! Starting a studio and running it successfully are not the same as being a good instructor. You are right that some of your students will leave to try out the new place, but many will stay if you have built a good reputation for your dance business. I faced a similar situation, and though some students did leave, the majority stayed. We hired a new teacher who was awesome—he added new energy and a new teaching style to the program. Our studio and the students benefited from the opportunity to hire a fresh, talented instructor. And remember, you know all about her business before she has even opened her doors, because you taught her what she knows. I would say you have an advantage over her, too. —Indiana

Hold your head high. What goes around comes around, and she’s going to get bit in the butt some day; that’s what happens to unethical people.

I would send out a postcard announcing the hiring of a new teacher, even if you haven’t hired one yet. And keep your studio in your clients’ faces. Thank them for a great show or year. I send all my students a personal thank-you note. In the age of computers that is a personal, caring touch. —Massachusetts

I would wish her well, but when she needs advice, don’t give it to her—just let her know that business is business. Some students may transfer, but parents are not stupid. All new studio owners make mistakes, and the parents are going to expect her to run her studio like yours. When she doesn’t, they will be back. —Anonymous

This happened to me two years ago, on the 28th anniversary of my school. Two difficult parents decided that I was doing too well and used my right-hand teacher to set up a school and take as many students as they could from me. I was devastated and demoralized—and I had had a contract to prevent this from happening! I took her to court and settled at mediation. I was not out to break her, just make her realize that every action has a consequence. Her school is not doing very well; these teachers don’t know how much work school owners do. Now she has to do everything, and the parents who helped set her up are the moaners. Eventually they will be moaning at her!

I am happy to say that although financially my school is still not where it was, it is a much happier place. All those who stayed chose me and worked with me to succeed. I have much more confidence now. If I could survive this, then I can survive anything! It is rough and scary now, but take it moment by moment. Stay above any name calling, and be strong. —Ontario

A former student of mine did this to me, and she lasted only three years. She did not know how much I had protected her from the parents, and she was not very organized. After her first year, several dancers returned to me full of gripes, which gave me advertising ideas. I fought back with ads that said “limited class sizes” and “age-appropriate choreography,” but other than that I never attacked her, and I still gave her hugs when we saw each other in front of her or my students. Prepare for a tough year, but keep a smile on your face and hang in there! —Anonymous

If you did not have her sign a contract, then I would say hold your head high. Keep your business open and don’t let your customers know that what she’s done bothers you. Continue with business as usual, and they will see that you are a much bigger and better person than she is! —Anonymous

You might have students who follow this person at first, but you may be surprised at their loyalty. Her way of doing things seems pretty poor, and it will eventually show in the way she runs her business. It’s hard to give so much to a student and have it end like that, but don’t let it change the giving person that you are. Don’t even think about closing your school—you have been doing something right to have been in business for so long! Continue to be the mature one in the situation, and the reward will come back to you. Having competition can push you harder to be the best. —Texas

Make sure those who do leave know that the door is always open for them to return. It usually takes two or three years for them to go full circle. But you’ve been there for 30 years, so you must be doing something right. Besides, students are replaceable. Good luck, and stay open! —Ontario

Opening a school across the street from a studio that has been in business for 30 years puts her at an instant disadvantage. It looks like she has not properly done her homework, nor does she have much business savvy, since she plans to rely solely on her reputation as a teacher and pull as many of her students from your school as she can. You should not feel too threatened (disappointed in her character, yes) since you still have a strong reputation in the community. Market that aspect. Business is business; if she plans to rely on her teaching abilities, without having a strong business plan for her new studio, it’s unlikely that she will be in a position to put you out of business. Excellent teachers are not always the best at managing a business. You have much strength that she doesn’t have at this point. Use it to your advantage. —California

Business is business, but opening across the street and soliciting your students is just plain poor ethics. Stand up, dust yourself off, and decide if you want to be a victim or victorious. Move forward from this and don’t look back. —Arizona

Yes, she might get some of your students, but everything has a way of coming full circle. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising and what will go around is that she is disrespectful and unethical. Be careful not to say anything against her; when people ask you about the situation, stay strong and say you wish not to discuss it. People will respect you more and her less. Remember, why should people go to the student when they can take from the master? —Texas

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