Do you think that 20 minutes is too far to travel for a dance class? I found a nice little studio (about 600 sq feet of dance space), and for many of my families it would be about a 20 minute drive. Any thoughts?

What is their current drive? What is the area like as far as potential new clients? What far are people used to driving for things like the school, grocery store, ect.? Is there another school that would be closer and potentially pick up your students?

I can think of some communities where 20 minutes would not work. In others, it would be no big deal. I think that your older students may stay with you, but you will be more likely to lose some of the younger ones, so I would be prepared to pick up new ones. You would really want to sell this new location to your current clientele.

I would recommend posing this question to the SO's board.

Is there a reason you are moving your studio, or are you starting your own next year?

I think it will honestly depend on your students' parents. Would they leave the current studio (if you are opening your own) to drive further to this new studio, or will they try to find another studio that will be just as close as the former one? Also, how many of the students have siblings that are also doing some sort of after school activity? Many parents drop off a child at karate, soccer, baseball, etc. and then rush to the dance studio to drop off child #2. So you may want to consider the fact that many parents, while they would LOVE to stay with you, cannot actually do that due to having other children that need to be places.

I know at the studio I teach at, most of the parents stay at the studio while their child is there for only 45 mins or an hour long class. Then again, we also have parents who just stay for a few hours. I think if anything, you may want to consider making your waiting area VERY comfortable and welcoming for the parents so they have the option to hang out and wait for their child to finish dance. Something else you may want to think about is what is around the new studio? Is there a grocery/convenience store near by so maybe parents can also get some errands done? Is there a place to eat very close by so they can grab a bite to eat if they are waiting for their child to finish dance?

When I competed, I drove an hr. and a half to my studio. I don't feel like 20 min. is a lot to ask. That isn't bad at all. Some of my kids I teach drive 20 min.+ and no one has ever complained.

Why don't you take a survey and ask your parent base? 5 to 7 miles is the most the average parent will drive. Depends on where you live. Some areas are very used to commuting. Some stay very close to home. Your demographic will make a huge difference.

I certainly don't think 20's minutes is far at all. I can't imagine leaving over that but I know you WILL lose students to a closer studio. It happens. The thing is, you would probably have lost those students anyway down the line. You will pick up new ones in the new location too. Both studios I am at have moved locations, both are large studios. The spaces are better, larger. One is much more visible, so you have to do your pro/con list and just see what is best for YOU.

A lot of my students travel between 15 and 20 minutes to my studio, and although at times it can be a pain, in the end it didn't prevent anyone from registering with me.

I don't think it's too far at all, and I've travelled much farther than that for a dance class. However, you wouldn't want to lose business because of it, so I would definitely take a poll and see what the parents think.

~*~Punkgirl~*~

Long live punk rocK

All of the above posts are true in every way. You will loose some students because their parents won't drive. You will also possible gain some students by opening in a new area and picking up the people closer to there. When I was dancing, my studio was always at least 20 minutes away, and I'm in a huge city with dance studio's everywhere. The studio that I last attended was about 35, but I stayed there because that's where I felt was best for me. I also taught there, but thats a bit different since it's a job not an activity.

Alot of it is based on where you are located, how many other studio's are around, and what you have to offer. If you have a good relationship with your students, offer good rates, give the best education you are able to your dancers and are within a decent distance, they will stay. I agree with the poster who told you to poll the parents. Whether you want to tell them you are looking in to moving, or tell them you are trying to get a good distance as far as where to advertise. Have them fill out a pole when they come in and pay tuition or something and get an idea there. Good luck I hope it works out for you!

Side note: were you the same poster who was trying to find a space of your own a few weeks ago? If so this is really exciting for you!

Our studio is in Miami and we have students that drive from all over the place. Pembroke pines ( 40 min away)...dadeland ( up to an hour) hollywood (30 min). I think it depends on the studio and the reputation. Its the "f you build it they will come theory". We were in South Miami for a long time and moved closer downtown a few yrs ago and alot of our "southern" families stuck with us! Have faith and confidence in your product and they will follow!

I don't think it is. We have 3,000 sq. feet of dance space, and we are a good school with the best technique in the area (not to brag, just to get the point across) and we have kids that drive 45 minutes just for our instruction. I've never heard any complaints from those kids or their parents about the drive, either.

It depends on the size of the area you're in. If it's a big city, then people will be more likely to travel (I live in Sydney and travel between 45 and 60 minutes (depending on traffic) to teach at my studio) but if it was a regional city, then 20 minutes might be the other side of the city and be considered too far. If it's a small town, then people are more prepared to drive to the next (larger) town over for lessons.

Helen

20 minutes is a typical drive in my area. It takes 15-20 minutes for me to get to the studio. Some people drive 30-40 minutes depending on their location.

Everyone has valid points. Most of us would drive to the "best" studio. Twenty minutes might mean a five mile drive in a town at rush hour, a two mile drive in a huge city, or twenty five miles in a more rural community. I would like to bring up $$$. The average dance mom is going to be driving an SUV or minivan with other children as mentioned above. Don't forget $4.00 a gallon gasoline last year!!! Big SUVs might only get 15 miles per gallon while a minivan might only get a little more sitting in traffic. If a student is currently taking lessons from you two or three nights a week...you might be asking a family to add $8 or $10 a DAY to your monthly fees. Lots of families are hurting now. Two gallons @ either $2 or $4 a trip X 2 nights a week = $8 or $16 a WEEK x 4 = $32 or $64 a month on top of dance fees, recital, competition, shoes, tights, leotards, etc. The competitive dance parents will do what they feel they have to do as long as they can sacrifice and stay afloat. But for young families...it might be the break point.

I second what everyone has said about this is a great "It depends...". When my daughter was a dance student, 20 minutes from home by car was on my outer limits for getting home from work, picking her up and getting her to a dance class in time. If you are in an area with lots of non-working mothers or mothers with maids and chauffeurs that may be different. If kids can get there by bus on their own after school it is different. You need to look at the whole picture.