From Dancer to CEO: Claire O'Shea's journey to build a thriving dance business

04/18/24 • 51 min

Join Claire O'Shea on her journey from young dancer to Dance Energy Studios founder, podcast producer, and business mentor. At just 19 she started her first dance studio and in this interview she shares insights on scaling her studio, building the right team, and navigating leadership in the arts. Learn about her transition from dance teacher (the person with the technical skill) to the CEO, leading a number of businesses, being the strategic manager, mastering delegation and balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship.
We loved learning about how Claire's leadership style shapes her studio's culture, even when she's not in the spotlight. Tune in to hear her story.
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Guest Bio - Claire O'Shea
Claire O'Shea is a dynamic entrepreneur and educator in the dance industry, serving as the Founder, Director, and Class Teacher of Dance Energy Studios. With a Bachelor of Education, Claire has developed innovative programs like Petite Performers Preschool Dance, designed for children aged 0-5. She spearheads digital initiatives such as 'Dance on Demand' and mentors aspiring dance educators through the 'Power Up Teacher Training Program.' As host of the "Assemble Dance Studio Coaching Podcast," Claire shares valuable insights with dance studio owners worldwide, while her speaking engagements and coaching sessions inspire growth and success in the industry.

Instagram: @assembledancestudiocoaching @danceenergystudios
https://assembledancestudiocoaching.com/
www.danceenergystudios.net.au
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/assemble-dance-studio-coaching/id1276431018

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Instagram: @assembledancestudiocoaching @danceenergystudios
https://assembledancestudiocoaching.com/
www.danceenergystudios.net.au
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/assemble-dance-studio-coaching/id1276431018

Previous Episode

Navigating Leadership Waters

If you've got a problem at work, is it:
a) you
b) other people
c) the environment
d) all of the above.

Have you ever changed jobs, only to find the issue still exists in your new job? This is a definite sign that you thought it was (C - the environment) but it was actually (A - you).

So how do you figure out the cause of the issue before making big changes? In this episode I use a metaphor from Positive Psychology called the Sailboat (I also referenced this tool in podcast episode #60 with Liz Bradford).

I talk through the sailboat, a story about my own 'sailboat', what happened when I moved to Paris, and how you can answer the multi-choice question above by listening to the episode.

Here are three key takeaways:

Know Your Sailboat: Just as a captain must understand every aspect of their vessel, effective leadership begins with self-awareness. Identifying your strengths (sails) and weaknesses (leaks), clarifying your values (steering wheel), and setting clear goals (destination) are crucial steps toward navigating your leadership journey successfully.
Navigate the Waters: Understanding the dynamics of the environment you operate in (life's domains) is essential. Whether it's adapting to change (weather events) or managing relationships (other boats), recognizing the external factors at play allows for more informed decision-making and effective leadership.
Chart Your Course: Leadership is not a solo journey; it's about leading teams toward a common goal. By fostering open dialogue and aligning individual and team objectives, you can create a shared vision and set actionable steps (SMART goals) to propel your organisation forward.

If you find yourself seeking a tailored approach to leadership development or team building, reach out to discuss our workshop options. Whether it's a one-off session or a comprehensive leadership program, I'd love to help you unlock your team's full potential and achieve your desired outcomes.

Remember, small changes can lead to significant growth over time. What 1% will you apply from this week's podcast?

Next Episode

Leading an international team with Emilia Simonin

In 2010 podcast host Kate Peardon met fellow Australian Emilia Simonin in an MBA classroom in Paris. Throughout the years they've shared their journey across a number of countries and through corporate leadership, and today Emilia is the Global Market and Business Intelligence Director at L'Oreal, in Paris.
Today's episode interviews Emilia on her three key leadership lessons on her experience leading cross-cultural teams, and how each has shaped her journey from an Australian working in marketing in Sydney, to international director in Paris. Her lessons include:

It's all about people, no matter who or where you're leading
Communication styles in different cultures
How authenticity has helped Emilia overcome cultural barriers

Level Up Leadership - From Dancer to CEO: Claire O'Shea's journey to build a thriving dance business

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:00.059

The majority of people who start their own business do it because they're really good at what they do . So they start a business . They start working with clients . They get more clients than they can personally deliver the work for , so they start hiring a team and all of a sudden , they're a leader of a business and it's not what they've been trained to do ,

Speaker 1<