Sorry for the cheesy title... I couldn't resist. I need a little help & input from fellow dance instructors. What would you do in this situation?

I was hired in June to work at two area studios, one is a smaller private studio as a contractor and the other is a large rec program as an employee. The private studio is a further drive, whereas the rec studio is about half the distance from where I live. The pay is also significantly different between the two, with the rec studio being better. Originally I was signed on to do two nights and competition classes for the private studio - and one night of classes just because that is what worked around my schedule at the rec studio. Fast forward to August/September - classes started, my schedule was a full night at the rec studio and my schedule at the private studio was reduced to one night a week due to low enrollment. (We're in an area where the economy was HARD hit and still really bad...)

Not that this matters, but I'll try to give you some background information too - I found at the end of September that my husband and are expecting our first child at the beginning of May. I told both studios, they were fine with working around it - I will be out at the end of April and just be returning to recital in June to help out. My schedule continued two nights a week teaching (one at each place) and at this point I was looking at it as a blessing since I didn't know I was preggers when I signed up for 3-4 nights of teaching at the beginning of the summer.

NOW... to the real issue. After teaching there two months, I found out at the end of October that the private studio was "going out of business". The owners purchased the studio over the summer from the previous owner, and I guess it just turned out to not be what they expected or because of enrollment issues... they decided to sell. They sold the "studio" to a(nother) new owner that is planning on opening a location a few doors down at a smaller location... so it will go from being two dance rooms to one. She trying to keep a similar schedule, trying to take the teachers over there, and expecting the majority of the students to follow as well. So this place will have had three sets of owners in less than 6 months.

So my question at this point is... would you even consider going over to the new location in this situation? Have you ever heard of a studio switching owners & locations in the middle of a dance year like this? Since enrollment was an issue at the private studio, I'm still expecting it to be an issue at the new location... so do I try to go to the new location with the private studio since I "kind of" made a commitment to the students, not the studio (since it's technically a new place) - or do I stick to the one location where I'm an employee, is more beneficial financially and drive wise, and I know things are set and organized?? When I took the contract position at the private studio, I wasn't an employee at the rec studio yet (I was hired at both within a week or so of each other) - I don't have a contract and they are aware of my previous commitments... but now that I have this employee position should I take that into consideration before I take a "new position"? Is going over to this other place even a new position - or just my old one? I'm so confused! LOL!

Thanks for your input!

I would say stick around and see what happens, if its only one night a week it isnt to much of a commitment and it may turn ito a better situation for you , you will never know unless you try it and her (SO )out
Just my 2cents

Stay. See if you like it with the new owners. Not? You can still leave at an appropriate time. You like it? No harm done.

I agree with the others, it's only 2 nights so give it a try. Maybe the new owners will put more into growing the studio and who knows-maybe they'll be able to make it more successful! Good luck!

I would normally say to stay and see, except that the undertone of your post suggests that you would rather be where there seems to be stability. You seem to be leaning in a direction of preference.

Because you seem to be leaning in one direction, I would say follow your instinct.

Thanks for the input! I am still up in the air, but here are some additional thoughts. My husband is adamantly against me driving over to the small studio - because he's tired of hearing about their drama quite frankly, and he doesn't want me doing the risky drive in the winter if there's really no point. (Like if the program is just floundering.) Also, the fact that it's a contract and I have to file 1099 annoys him, so since I have the other position now he's wanting me to drop the contract work as it messes up our taxes.

I definitely will not drive over there if the hours don't meet my minimum requirement that I feel justifies me going over there... which still seems to be up in the air. I offered a compromise of just doing the teams on a few weekends as a consultant, and cooperatively working with someone else on the team stuff since I'm going to have to have someone and take over my classes in April anyways -but I think she's (new owner) wanting me & one other teacher to definitely stay. And for me to continue doing the team.

All in all, when I look at the situation realistically (and I guess I should also mention I'm a previous studio owner... I owned a studio in a different state before we moved here) I don't see alot of hope in it... which is maybe why I'm so pessimistic about it. I'm not sure. Maybe it's just my particular situation... or maybe it's my husband pushing me a certain way. LOL... who knows.

Listen to your husband. I was a little uncertain until your last post. I thought you were saying you had a contract with the private studio. I didn't understand that you are operating as an independent contractor. If this is right, you are not employed by the studio and really owe them nothing beyond good will. If they are struggling they may be happy to have one less teacher. Your husband is concerned about you and the baby. Prioritize.

First of all congratulations very exciting!!!

As for your situation, I would give up the small studio. Cite family reasons (with the new baby and all). If you don't need the extra work - and it sounds like you don't, then it isn't worth stressing over. Wish them well and try not to burn the bridge - maybe even say they can call you if they need a sub or extra teachers next season.

Better for your hubby to be supportive of the rec center job than to be stressed and worried over the other position; he'll have enough to worry about (and you too) with the baby

Thank for the additional input ladies... I know I sound like I have my mind made up already, but I keep going back and forth. I definitely would keep my commitment to the smaller studio if it was the same owners/same place - but to me this feels like taking on a "new" commitment, which I'm not up for right now. And yes, sorry that I didn't clarify that better I'm an employee at the larger, more recreational studio (I don't have a written contract that stipulates that I cannot work anywhere else, which is why I mentioned that - and they were aware of me working at the small studio)... however, since I'm an independent contractor employee at the smaller studio and the owner at the new place intends to keep using us as contractor employees - I feel like I'm better off being set in a better position with better pay, as an employee at the other place...

That doesn't seem to erase me feeling bad for the 6 team girls which are the main students that I know will be transferring over to the new place. (Typical class sizes were 3-5 people, so that was my "largest" class. Sigh.) I guess I should also mention that I had entire regular classes that didn't show up the last night of classes after the prior owners at the small studio announced they were going out of business and about the change - that is just one of my reasons for feeling pessimistic about it. I have a few others that stem from two business degrees.

Thanks for letting me think out loud here!

UPDATE:

Well, apparently my decision was made for me. I just found out my name was on the information that was mailed out to students... before I even had a chance to talk to the new owner. Super.