When Loyalty Hurts: Business Lessons from the Worst Breakups

Hello, friends. I'm Amanda Barr.

And I'm Rebecca Lou Brennan. And welcome to Dance Principles United, the podcast.

Together, we are passionate about helping studio owners with the business of running their studio.

Join us as we talk everything from marketing systems, studio culture, motherhood, life, and everything in between.

This is the Dance Principles United podcast. Hey, friends, and welcome back to another episode of the Dance Principles United podc. How are you, lovely, Beck?

I am super awesome. Yeah. Just loving. Doing podcasts with you is always so much fun. Amanda, we do have fun.

We do have fun. We do have fun. I'm still waiting for that glass of champagne, Tom, but sitting here in the corner going, I don't think she's joking right now, but no, we're super excited. We're in person. We've been doing a whole block of these. And our last podcast was we decided to make a bit of a theme. We're going to go with Amanda and Beck. Unfiltered, I think, is our. Our theme. Unfiltered and kind of telling some of the stories that have kind of been part. Part of our story. Right. To grow to the studios that we had to become the people. Because we all have, like, a story behind it, right?

Yeah. Well, we did put in our Dance Principles United tribe group. Hey, guys, let us. We're going to be recording some podcast episodes. Let us know what you want to know. And to be fair, most of them were like, when did you become friends? What's the biggest thing that happened in your studio? Biggest aha. Moment. Yeah, like. And, yeah, I think that's cool that people want to know that stuff, but I do think you learn from other people's mistakes a lot.

Absolutely, absolutely. So if you didn't check out our last podcast, that was some of the. Talking about some of the. Oh, what do we. What do we call it? I kind of remember the big moments in our studio that defined turning points. Turning points. Yeah, absolutely. That's the word I was looking for. But today we're going to talk about. About some of, like, the biggest hurdles and some of the biggest pain points we had in our studio. Hardest situations, situations that we went through. And obviously we're both kind of like chatting about this. And there's obviously the ones about the students, there's the ones about the teachers, and then there's ones that are about other things as well. So we'll come to that. But let's talk. Should we start with the students? Let's talk about the hard student stories. We've all got so many of them. Right but do you have a story you want to share?

So many. Yeah. This was just the first one that came to my head. There's been so many of them. And I know how hard it is for all of you out there when you lose students, you know, especially that you feel attached to and you're like.

This knife to your heart.

It is like, I've done so much for them. I really had to dig deep and change. But anyway, we'll digress to that later. So this student, I'm pretty sure was with me from age 2 to about 11 or 12. Solo student, who I did not charge for solo lessons at the time. Amanda. Surprise, surprise.

I feel like there's a theme, right?

There is always a theme. Was doing extremely well in comp. A few of the kids from her age group did drop off and not to go to other schools, but just kind of started to give up, I guess. And, you know, she saw the bigger, brighter, got offered the scholarship at the big, big studio.

I really should have told you my story first because it's very similar. Yeah.

Mind you, like, I am a big, big studio. And I have to say, obviously, I'm not going to say which studio it is, but at the time, and I'm. You'd be surprised to hear this. I'm quite a, you know, person that doesn't mind a bit of confrontation. Amanda. And I actually called that studio owner up and said, stop poaching my kids. But anyway, it happened. So she got given an envelope in a workshop saying, we'd love to offer you a full scholarship. Got the scholarship left. And it was beyond devastating, as it always was.

Absolutely.

But interesting turn to events. She actually messaged me last year and said, pause is my home. I've. I really appreciate what you did.

Even though she left at 11. 12.

Yeah, 12, I think.

Yeah. Wow.

Yep. I really appreciate what you did for me. Actually. Maybe she was 13. Anyway.

Okay.

Around that age, in my younger years. I would love to come and teach for you. And she came and she's been doing a few solos here and there and stuff. So there you go. That's how much Beck has grown up. Because the old Beck would never have let her back in.

You would have been so angry at that situation. Got your angry eyes on, in fact, my angry eyes. Just in case. Do you not love that bit? That's my favorite bit of that movie. I do.

So good.

You know, So I feel like you've probably grown as someone and, like, accept so much back in. And, like, that's a whole. Nother thing. Right. Like letting them go with love and letting them go graciously. But those moments are hard.

So hard.

Oh, my God.

Tell me your story.

It's almost the same story. It's.

Almost everyone has a story. Yeah.

And absolutely, like, I'd love to know, like, do you have this story too? And, like, how have you overcome it? But I think sometimes it's just nice to know you're not alone. Yes, we all have that same story. So mine was a student and probably it was trying to think how old she'd be now. It's got to be at least 10 years ago, maybe. And it was the same thing. It was that student that was incredible. She was probably, I don't know, 14 or 15 at the time. No, maybe more like 15. She was the soloist that won everything. She was on scholarship at the studio.

Oh, this sounds so familiar.

I actually. And they were actually two of these kids almost back to back. And it was the same situation twice. She was on scholarship at the studio. This one hurt because the mum and I actually became quite close and we were quite friendly. I'd never been close to parents before. I'd always been like, no, this is when I started my studio. My mum was very much like, you must be professional at all times. Do not be friendly with any of the parents. And so I was, until I had my own kids and a few of them, like, really, like, especially this one mum, she was the one that was like, oh, please, I want to. You know, she knew where I lived because she'd happened to walk past and, you know, she'd drop around with food and I actually became. I was like, oh, this is quite nice actually to have. She was probably a little bit older than me, but not heaps. But, you know, I had already had anyway, whole thing. So we became friends as well. And she was always so supportive of the studio. So the mum that wanted to be there, always, you know, she told me what she thought. Like, she was quite a strong personality, but was always so. So lovely about everything and hadn't told me there was an issue I didn't realize and just, you know, same thing. Went to the Shiny Studio, I believe, on a scholarship for a period of time after she just finished the scholarship with us. And money wasn't an issue for this family either. It wasn't about the money, but I think it was about seeing the recognition or something like that. And the same as what you did. I'd done everything for this family, right. Ever. I couldn't possibly have bent over more for this family to help them out to do things. I was driving her to comps. I was dropping her home at night. You know, I was giving her assistant teaching work. There was all of the things. And it was just such a moment where I was like, you know what? Sometimes it's never enough. Yep, the grass is greener. There is nothing more I could have done. I couldn't. Sometimes you look back and you're like, I should have done this. I should have done that. We've all had those stories as well. But this was not that. This was a. I have done everything I can for this child. If the parent isn't happy with what I'm offering, well, there's nothing more I can do.

Correct.

It's hard.

It's hard, I think, when you. If you can change that feeling. Because I used to be. And this has happened so many times to me, and I know it has to you, so I just want everyone out there to know that. But I used to be a ball on the floor, and I would cry and I would think every second, and I would think, how could I have saved it? And, like, so much effort into that. And now I think I'm more accepting of it.

Yeah.

I almost feel like that student I talked about, now that I look back on it, that actually was the right choice for her because I. I'm still.

Bitter about mine, just as a FYI.

Right. And that's fine. You can be bitter. The reason I think it was the right choice is because kids did drop off from her age group at that time, and she was by far the best. And unlike my seniors now, where there's, you know, a good 10 of them that are incredible and they all have each other to compete with, she probably wouldn't have had that.

Yeah.

And I don't think dragging her along with me was the right thing, much as I wanted to at the time. Now that I look back and I'm like, no, that probably was the right choice for you. And there's been heaps that have left that I know was the absolute wrong choice for them. And they're not even dancing anymore.

That's what this one was.

Yeah. Right. So I. I resonate with that as well. I guess what I've come to learn and, you know, there's always whispers in my studio of kids who are going to leave even now.

Y.

And so what I've learned to say to my own self is I send them with love and I welcome them back. And. And yes, it still hurts and it still kills me, but at the same time, I've learned I've also hung on to kids, you know, for grim life, and gone. No, you must stay. You must stay. And that was the wrong choice because they end up critiquing every little thing you do and thinking that they're better than.

And then they're doing you a favor.

Right. And then they cause issues and then they poison others. Yes. And then it's a whole downward spiral from there. Anyway, so now when someone. When I hear that someone's saying they're gonna leave, I'm like, okay, well, maybe they should leave then. Not that I don't want to talk them into staying. I do. But at the same time, they have to make the choice that's right for them.

Absolutely.

So, yeah, I guess I've let go of that a lot.

Absolutely. It's a hard thing, right, Because I remember, like, mourning this student, like, you know, for a good week, two weeks, like, absolutely. Couldn't do anything else, like, absolutely in mourning. But I then remember, I remember so vividly sitting at a cafe with my two little kids at the time going, you know, what if I. If I'm not enough for her? That's okay. I've got to be okay with that. You know, there's nothing more I can do than what I've done for this person. And, like, whatever. I've got to, like, move on with my life. I can't just keep mourning them and being angry and resentful. I've just got to keep doing. And I think that comes to not changing things, because I think the old me would have gone, oh, but I'll change this, and I'll do that for you and all of that kind of stuff. And I was like, no, you know what? I'm not going to change those things. I'm going to do the studio. That makes me happy and. And go from there.

And, like, how many times have you changed those things and they leave anyway?

Absolutely. Isn't that just always the way? Right.

Yes. And I still haven't learned that lesson.

Yeah. And you change things because you think. And I had for that mum probably, you know, in a subtle way, because we were friendly, she'd make suggestions, and I would be like, oh, yeah, that's a great idea. And we'd do things and all of that, and it doesn't work anyway, so there's no point. You might as well just run the studio you want to run. Because they're gonna leave. If they're gonna leave, they're gonna leave.

Yep. Totally agree. Okay. So that's. That's number one.

Yep. Let's talk about a teacher hard situation. Because we've all had staff hard, and.

Like, when you have to fire them and it's so, so hard.

That's the worst.

But I don't think. I don't even know if I've told you this.

Okay, let's see.

I feel like you've heard a lot of my stories. So my original mentor for ballet, and I'm talking, like, before I even had my studio. This teacher was incredible. And really, I truly believe, made me the ballet teacher I am today. And she was quite tough on me. And I was doing my RID certificate, but teaching in the same studio as her. So we had this journey together. And then she started teaching at my studio. And for years, like, I'm taught talking on and off for probably 15 years. Amanda. Right. So this is a long relationship.

Yeah.

She would buy my children presents. I would go to her house for coffee. Like, she was a genuine mentor.

Yeah.

Anyway, it got to a point where it was just I was doing so much for her. That's the first thing I was doing wrong. And she was very expensive and just trying to please her all the time. She was getting quite cranky with things. No matter what it was, I just couldn't please her enough.

Okay, so that's kind of like what we were talking about with the students, too, right? Like doing. Changing what you want to do to please somebody else. Is that right?

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. And it came to this one lesson, and I will never forget it. And there had been a lot of build up to this. Please understand that where I was teaching a student, and she came in and she said in front of the private lesson student, as if you'd correct like that. I wouldn't correct like that. And, like, really pulled me down in front of the student. And then there was this whole other situation that was happening where she had to go away and examine. She was an examiner.

Yeah.

And then last minute, that got canceled because it was around that covert, you know, all that stuff happening. But then I'd already covered all of her classes, but she wanted to come in and have them back. Have them back. And I said no to that. And she was really, really aggressively angry with me about that.

Yeah.

And so I let her go. And that was the hardest, hardest firing I've ever, ever had to do.

Like, it was someone that you'd looked up to in the past, have been such a big part of your life. Like, that's such a hard moment.

And I Knew it was going to be over and out as well. I knew that she would never forgive me.

Yeah, I knew you couldn't keep the relationship going. No. Yeah, that's so hard.

So hard.

But is there a lesson in that?

It was the best thing for my business. And I think you've got to make.

The hard call sometimes.

Sometimes you have to make the hard call. And, yeah, like, it still saddens me, like, I still miss her as a friend and mentor and all of the things, but it. She was just not right for the business at the time. And I don't know if she looks back on that and can see that now. Maybe, maybe not. But it just was getting so toxic in there. But sometimes we do. And we were talking about this today on Tribe, right? Yeah, Sometimes we do keep those toxic teachers in for so long for reasons like that. You know, you've got a past.

You're scared.

You're scared to have the confrontation. You've had a past with them. You know, you've seen the grade in them and now they're not so great. There's so many reasons we keep them on. But I think the lesson in that is you do have to say goodbye sometimes, even when it's not right for you, but it is right for your business.

Oh, yeah. So maybe if you're listening to this and you're procrastinating or making a hard, hard decision, maybe this is something you need to kind of have a look at and go, you know what? Sometimes it is just best for my business.

150.

It's scary and horrible and it hurts and it's weird and it's uncomfortable and all of those things, but sometimes that's what makes true leaders because, you know, out of hardship comes all this great success. Right?

Yeah. I. I don't know if you've had a situation like this, Amanda, but I know one of our SGC members had one of her very, very best friends teaching and same thing. And I. I was on calls with her for probably a good six to nine months saying she knew. She knew what had to happen. But just saying to her, you're gonna have to let her go. You're gonna have to let her go. You're gonna have to let it go so hard.

So, you know, and I know sometimes, you know, I've had other people that it's been their sister or something like that, and like, oh, my God, it's like so hard.

But it, it is, you know, in yourself, if you're listening, you know, in yourself that it's the right decision and you just have to move forward with it and do it.

Oh, those icky moments. It's hard. It's so super hard.

I know.

Oh, do you want to hear my staff story?

Yeah. Tell me.

Okay. Look a little bit different. I've obviously fired staff as well, which has been horrible and blah, blah, blah. But I don't think anything as it's horrible. But I wouldn't say as emotional as that. But my hard staff story was around. I had two incredible staff that were working for me. They'd been students at my studio. They came up through the ranks. They were, they were best friends and they were the absolute like soul of my studio. Like, they were the best teachers. I could not rave more about them. Such good stuff. We had great relationships. We had great friendships as well. I was probably too close to them as a friend. Like there was that going on as well. Like we would hang out all the time together.

Yeah.

But like, absolutely, like, you know, such a great relationship and they were doing incredible stuff for my studio. I think maybe they got a little bit too big for their boots is all. I can kind of think and I don't really know what happened, to be honest, and I still don't. And they came to me and told me that they were both going to the uk, Right. To travel and stuff. Which obviously fucking sucks. Yeah. Like when you're two main teachers, they were teaching and you know, like studio managing and like all of this kind of stuff and you know, that sucks. Oh, I also want to tell you, I put both of them through full time. I paid for their full time courses. Both of them? Yeah.

Oh, God, of course you did. Of course you did.

At separate years we had the condition that they, they worked for me for a couple of years. They went and did full time. Then they came back and worked for me as well. You know, it was so supportive across that just because they wanted to do it as an experience, not to become a dancer. But then they just both decided together they were going to move to uk, which is fine. And I was like, cool, look, that's fine. But like, here's how I want to handle it with the parents. I don't want you to tell anyone until I have new troop teachers ready. This is what I want to do.

100. I think you always have to go with your, to your clients with a.

Solution, not a problem. Absolutely. And that was my thing with them. And I explained that to them. They're like, yeah, yeah, we totally understand. Because it was by two Comp teachers. We were winning everything at the time. And I was like, this is going to be a problem. I need a solution first. They started whispering to parents and I got wind of that, that they were telling lots of parents that they were leaving and not just one or two. They were telling every parent in the background that they were leaving.

Guys, my eyes are rolling in case you can. You can't see that, but just see my eyes.

And this was like July, August and they were leaving at the end of the year. Oh, so it's like that. Like why, why are we doing it this early? I like, I couldn't even employ a new teacher yet because it was so far away because you know, it doesn't start until February. It was almost like seven or eight months away. But starting to plant these seeds of doubt with all of the parents. But it all started getting a little bit weird as well. They were all of a sudden like hanging out and going to like they were only like 22 or 23. Like they were young, maybe a little bit older than that. But they're going to like dinners with parents and hanging out at their house. And there was all of this all of a sudden happening because I think they basically went, amanda's rules, we're leaving anyway. Like, let's cause all of this on the way.

Yeah, they're going to start their own studio. That's what I would have been scared of.

Well, I think I would have been but like I knew that they were going to the UK because they were all about it like, and they were like London life and stuff and like all of this. But it was. Yeah. I don't know why they decided to do this. I feel like maybe, you know, they loved the, the, the accolades. Oh, you can't leave. We'll miss you so much. Like that love and stuff from the parent. I don't know who knows what the happened but that was such a hard time for me. And so it was like four months and it was this like, do I get rid of them now? Because they're doing specific. But they were still doing great stuff and I still didn't have a solution. Then they were, you know, they started doing like. They organized their own going away party with all the kids. Invited all the kids and didn't invite me. Me. I know. I think we've had this conversation as well. Did all these things anyway. Such a hard thing and just that ickiness when I knew that there was. But then they were nice as part of my face and you would have.

Felt Uncomfortable in your own studio.

So uncomfortable. I knew that there was whispers. I knew that the parents were talking about it, but didn't want to tell me that they knew because they were like, oh, we've been told. We're not allowed to tell them it. Like there was all of this kind of shit going on and it was just this really icky period. You know what I did?

I'd love to know what you did.

I was like, fuck this. I'm going to make this the most. Turning this around and make this incredible. So that's when I advertised for an American teacher.

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

I was like, you know what? What's going to be better than just finding a new comp teacher? Making it so exciting by bringing someone out from the States that's so different to anyone that they've ever had. Because I was like, you know what? I could find another comp teacher. But like, comp. I. Comp teachers are like, obviously some are better than others and stuff, but they're always going to be compared to. But I'm like, if I bring out an American who is so different and so full of energy, that's gonna just feel really different. It's gonna change the vibe. They're not gonna come with preconceived notions of what the Australian dance industry is like. So that was when I advertised in America and did a huge hunt across America so I could announce it to all my parents that I'd been, you know, doing this through America, bringing. I was paying for someone to come out from the States. I made it like this whole big thing and almost did. This was a long time ago, probably before that was kind of happening a lot, but almost did like a behind the scenes, like a bit of a reality show of me finding this perfect American teacher to come out, which was Ali, and she was perfect. And she's the one who's ended up buying my studio and stayed for 10 years now. Like, she was only meant to be here for six months. It was going to be a six months to sort of see how it went. Because I also wasn't, you know, at the time. I was like, I reckon these teachers will be back in six months, which they were, and came back and asked for their jobs back in six months time. But Ali was so incredible. And I got lucky, obviously, with that. Well, I searched hard.

I disagree with that. And this is what I love about you is like, you're getting. Something gets thrown at you and instead of going, oh, I'm poor, me, you know, this is so hard that this is happening to me. You're like, all of you. I'm gonna now prove you all wrong. It's exactly what you were saying before, Amanda. But it's. All of us have these pathways in business where we can. It hard happens to everyone. Okay, Absolutely. All of. All of you who are listening to this, resonating with all of our stories. But the thing is, you can either choose the victim, which I've done multiple times judging anyone out there that does that. I'm a victim. You know, this is so sad. Poor me. Or you can go stuff this. I'm going to make this work. And I feel like, yeah, probably the last 15 years I've been a stuff this, I'm going to make this work person. And I still am. And I think that's the key, right? Like, you can have. You can cry any pillow once and then get over that and move. That's so. That's such a cool story.

I think it's also about, like, thinking outside the box. Like, at the time, that was very outside the box. You know, I. I was calling all the colleges to find like, the dance, you know, to find who the day ran the dance team to then ask them if anyone was graduating would come. I was like messaging like, I was doing all the things to try and find people. I created a website and a vlog about my life and all this kind of stuff. And look, that might not be the right thing, but I was like, I'm going to do it different rather than do same same and replace a comp teacher with a comp teacher. That's a local competition. That's the same. I'm like, I'm going to do it completely different. And I think that can be exciting because it builds so much excitement.

That's such a cool story. I love it.

That's my story of the day. So. So good. So I guess, yeah. How are you thinking outside the box is our big question. Let's hear your other horrible story, your hard story. One of those moments in business where you're like, fuck, this is hard.

Last one.

Okay, Last one.

So I wanted to tell this because I think there's a lot of people out there that don't know about this still in our industry.

And it's a cautionary tale, right? Yeah. It's cautious. It's telling what happened to you so that they can be cautious and not make the mistake themselves.

That is true.

Yeah.

That's not where I thought you were going.

No, no.

So back in the day when I didn't Know anything about business, but was creating these beautiful dancing children, but, you know, didn't really know anything about business. I used to have contractors at my studio.

Subcontractors.

Yep, subcontractors. And every teacher that came in was a subcontractor. Now I know that this still exists out there.

Yes.

And these subcontractors who ended up suing me, and I'll tell you that story in a second. I just want to tell you the story of them.

Yep.

They came to my studio probably when they were about 14, 15 sisters. They then grew up at the studio, became assistant teachers. I then put them through uni by them teaching one of them, who, to be fair, was not really the biggest rock star teacher you've ever met, but I loved her and supported her. Yeah, she became head of preschool. The other one was teaching acro. They were getting paid way above the award wage as subcontractors.

Yep. And so what, they worked for you for what, like six, seven, eight years?

Yep. Yeah, I saw them both through uni.

Yep.

And then they got, you know, degrees and started teaching or doing whatever they else they did.

Awesome.

And they ended up leaving not because of anything bad happening, just because they.

Got full time jobs with their degrees. They left on good terms.

Yeah, it was too hot.

Yeah.

So then three years later I get this letter.

Have you seen them in this three years period?

Oh, yep. They drop in all the time, come.

And see the kids. Like, really lovely relationship. Yep. Awesome.

Yep. No bad terms whatsoever.

Yep.

So then I get this letter saying that I owe each of them $20,000 in superannuation. Yep. Crazy.

And for our listeners, that was. They'd worked out on back pay because you hadn't been paying them. Super.

Correct.

As a subcontractor for their.

Well, they should never have been subcontractors. And that's the thing I learned through these. So, yeah, I of course went to lawyers, actually had a meeting with a barrister, and his wife was a dance studio owner, believe it or not. And he said to me, I totally get this in the industry, Beck. And I get that everyone is still subcontractors and I understand where you're coming from. He was so lovely, actually. But he said, do they have the same class every week at the same time? Yes. Then they have to be employees.

Yeah.

That's the end of it. And I said, but what if they're. What about the person that works for F45 down the road from me and they're subcontracting and they only do an hour, but it's still the same hour. And he's like, then they shouldn't be subcontracting, they must be employees.

Yeah.

There's no black or white.

There's absolutely not. And there's a great tool on the Australian Taxation Office that it gives you a little quiz and it's so clear.

So if you bring Marco Panzik out for a workshop, he can be a subcontractor.

Absolutely. Because it's a once off. And he also doesn't have to wear your uniform. He does. You don't tell him what time to show up. You know, it's all of that doesn't.

Adhere to your rules. Yeah. The biggest one is if they have the same class every week at the same time, which all of our teachers do.

Yep. And it can change week to week, like, but generally because that's the same as like a casual employee. Right. Yeah. You can go, oh, but it's not this hour and the holidays and all of that kind of stuff. But still it's generally the same time. Yep. And so you got sued for $20,000 each there, which, yeah, back pay. You went to the barrister, you went, what can I do? I'm going to put money in it. Can I fight this? And they said, nope, nope, suck it.

Up, you can't do anything.

Yeah.

I think we did go back and forth with a few negotiations and I've got.

Because for memory, there was like also that they want to be paid for like, like performances that come to. That you had. That you had.

Yeah.

Is that right? Like you'd paid them for some performances but some they just showed up to and correct. Yeah, yeah.

So I. That was fine.

And we got out of that.

We did bring it down a bit, but still it was a lot of money.

Yeah.

And look, lesson learned, you know, And I so passionate about educating people on these. And yeah, like I said, there's no gray area.

There's absolutely no gray area. And just because someone else does it doesn't make it.

Yes. And just because they do it at other studios doesn't make it right. And just because they, you know, the big studio down the road does it as well.

Also doesn't make it right. So. And I guess that's a big thing. Right? You leave yourself susceptible and look, you know, obviously for some people it has been fine in the past. I'm like, great, lucky you. But it also sometimes is not fine. And then they can come after you, it doesn't matter how long afterwards, and ask for all this back pay. So you had to pay them back for all this. Super. That you should have paid them originally.

And let me tell you, the second that I found out that what I was doing was wrong, I completely changed everything straight away.

Yep.

Every single person became an employee. I didn't keep going down that road anymore.

Hey, can I ask a question? You've got a couple of high end teachers at the moment.

Yes.

That are well known people in the industry.

Yes.

I imagine that they subcontract at other studios. How did they take it when you employed them and said, no, I'm not subcontracting.

I tell them that story.

Yep.

I just tell them that story. And I just tell them that that's.

That's it. If you want to work for me, this is it.

And I say you, no offense, but you shouldn't be subcontracting. Anyway, it's.

And that's also not my problem. This is my problem.

Yeah, but I just tell them that.

Yeah, absolutely.

And they know that from the get go and they get set up properly and all of the things happen and that's the end of it.

There's no, and I love benefit. Driving it for them as well. Be like, hey, if you want to get a loan for a house, like, you need to be an employee. Like, otherwise they won't take it. Like, you know all of those things. Like, do you want super. Do you understand what super is and why you want it? Like, you know all of those things. Like, I think that's such a powerful story. But God, a lesson to learn.

But a great lesson to learn.

Expensive one, though.

It was expensive at the time, but it could have been a lot more expensive if I'd kept going with what I was doing.

If you'd had it now since then and everybody. Because that's the other thing. Like, you know, sometimes, like if one person does it, then other people get wind of it.

Can I. I just want to finish with this because, yeah, BV has been, you know, going to different workshops and different schools and things like that and just exploring, you know, all the things. And she went and had a lesson with Kat Santos, you know Cat.

Yeah.

And Cat took the kids down to the beach. She was staying with Keisha, who's doing dance horse full time, and talk to them for an hour. And one of the things she said is pause on a positive. And BB has taken this so literally in her life that anytime that I am speaking negatively about a situation or something with her, she'll go, wait, Mum, pause on a positive. In other words, what is the positive that's going to come out of this negative situation. Such a wise little thing.

She's a wise little 15.

But like, I just, I love it. And it just made me think of that then, like, yes, that's a situation. Yes, it sucked. It was awful. What's the positive that's come out of it? Well, I'm running my business properly now.

Yes.

And I'm proud of that. And also I can now in the position I'm in being a coach and doing this podcast with you, I can also warn other people about it. So, like, that's how I'm going to leave this podcast. Today is when negative stuff happens to you and you're feeling all woe and woe is me and all the horrible things. Pause on a positive. What have you learned from it? What's the positive you can take out of it? And how can you move forward positively to change that?

That's a great one to end on. Thanks. Very wise. Thanks, Bec. Thanks, Bibi. Thanks, Kat Santos. We love that. We hope you've enjoyed this week's episode of the Dance Principles United podcast. We'll catch you next week.

Thanks, friends. Bye.

We hope you enjoyed this episode of the Dance Principles United podcast. If you'd love to learn more from us, we have a special offer just for our podcast listeners. Go to the link in the show Notes right now to get two weeks free in Dance Principles United Tribe. We would love to see you there.