How a life-long dream became Nicole’s reality
17 years ago, Nicole, the founder and principal of the Nicole O'Donnell Dance Academy, turned her lifelong dream into reality. Since then, the academy has blossomed, growing from a tiny troupe of 20 to over 150 dancers strong, flourishing into the thriving business model it is today.
Now, Nicole leads a diverse range of dance programs focusing on jazz, musical theatre, cheerleading pom, commercial, and hip-hop styles. But the focus here goes beyond just steps and routines, the academy is dedicated to providing a captivating and enriching dance experience for every child.
Nicole's love for dance began at a young age. Expressing herself through movement, she discovered a passion that would become her dream career. Knowing the magic of dance firsthand, Nicole decided early on to share this joy with other young children when she grew up.
“I can remember being about 13 with my dance partner and talking about how one day we would have our own dance school, and planning the name and everything! It was the career I always pursued.”
And it turns out it was destiny – Nicole pursued her dance dreams with relentless passion.
Becoming a business owner
From day one, Nicole's passion has been to spread the joy of dance to young learners. Even with a small crew, her heart soared seeing those bright faces mastering new moves or simply having a blast. All her hard work paid off, and before she knew it, the number of students more than doubled.
Seeking ways to manage this growth, Nicole joined dance business groups. There, she discovered the magic of online booking systems and ClassForKids. Quickly realising the potential of an online booking and management system, she embraced the switch.
ClassForKids became a game-changer for her business. With her daily admin taken care of, Nicole could focus on new opportunities. And the result? Student numbers skyrocketed from 20 to 150+, with a 178% growth rate within just one year of joining ClassForKids.
Nicole loved ClassForKids' financial reporting tools and automated waiting lists feature.
“I love the waiting lists! It makes it so simple to see if there is a real interest in new classes or locations so they’re a great tool!”
From dance enthusiast to thriving dance business owner, Nicole continues to use her passion, dedication, and ClassForKids' powerful features to drive further growth. Curious to see what our booking and management software can do for your business? Click below to learn more and see how we can streamline every aspect of your admin management.
Pausing for reflection
Nicole’s successful dance business comes from years of hard work and lessons learned along the way.
“If I had to do it all over again, I’d have liked to do a business course first so I could go into it with more of a business mindset, I’d make sure I knew how to delegate and lead a team, and I’d have started out with a system in place that had all the features I would need. ClassForKid’s registers, automated subscriptions feature and communications tools have helped make running my business a breeze!”
From starting out in a community centre and running her academy by herself, to now having classes in two different locations for over 150 students and managing a team of inspiring individuals, Nicole's dance journey is a dance-tastic success story that will make you want to get up and twirl.
Looking to grow your kids' club? Click below to watch our interactive demo, a clickable guide to our booking system. Explore our features at your own pace, and see how ClassForKids can transform your business.
