Navigating the Dance Entrepreneur Journey: Insights from Studio Pop Founder Aislyn Benjamin
a note from the interviewer, Prisha:
Ever since I came across Aislyn and Studio Pop on my feed, I knew I had to have her on the podcast. This conversation came at exactly the right time for me—I had been feeling uncertain about growing DanceVibes, and her reminder to stop waiting, work hard, and fight for what you want really stuck with me. It’s the same mindset I’ve had since starting DanceVibes and danZING: I don’t have everything figured out, but I’m learning and building one day at a time. If Aislyn’s story resonates with you, be sure to check out danZING.
Aislyn Benjamin, founder of Studio Pop, shares invaluable insights for dance entrepreneurs and dancers alike, emphasizing the critical role of a dedicated home practice space, the realities of building a physical product, strategic content creation, fostering a growth mindset in dancers, and the non-negotiable importance of self-care for business owners. Her journey highlights that passion alone isn't enough; resilience, delegation, and a belief in one's vision are paramount.
TL;DR:
•Home Practice is Key: Dancers need dedicated home spaces like Studio Pop to supplement studio training and accelerate skill development.
•Embrace the Entrepreneurial Grind: Building a physical product involves overcoming skepticism, iterating on prototypes, and trusting your vision despite challenges.
•Strategic Content & Delegation: Professional help for content creation and learning to delegate are crucial for managing multiple ventures and maintaining social media presence.
•Mindset Matters: For dancers, consistency, setting intentions, and focusing on personal growth over comparison builds confidence and drives improvement.
•Self-Care is Non-Negotiable: Business owners must prioritize mental and physical well-being to avoid burnout and sustain high performance.
The Spark Behind Studio Pop: A Dancer's Home Advantage
What inspired the creation of Studio Pop?
For Aislyn Benjamin, the inspiration for Studio Pop struck during a deeply personal moment. While supporting her mother through chemotherapy, she stumbled upon an Instagram video showcasing a fitness closet. In an instant, a lightbulb went off: dancers needed this for their homes. Aislyn, a lifelong dancer and cheerleading enthusiast, immediately recognized the gap in the market. She envisioned a dedicated space where dancers could refine their craft outside the studio, a mini studio at home that offered more than just basic accessories.
Why do dancers need a dedicated home practice space?
Aislyn, who trains numerous athletes in acro skills—a significant component of modern dance—observed a critical need. While an hour a week in the gym or studio is beneficial, it's often insufficient for true mastery. Dancers who consistently improve are those who extend their practice beyond formal training. Aislyn recalls her own childhood, noting that some dancers would go home and continue practicing in their living rooms or in front of any reflective surface, while others would disconnect. Studio Pop was designed to bridge this gap, providing a space with a large mirror, a spring floor, and customizable cube storage. This setup allows dancers to see themselves train, rep routines, and build strength in an environment tailored to their needs, fostering consistent growth and skill development.
From Idea to Physical Product: The Entrepreneurial Leap
How did Aislyn overcome the challenges of building a physical product?
Venturing into physical product development is often advised against for new entrepreneurs due to its inherent complexities. Aislyn admits to initial nervousness and hesitation, recognizing the immense undertaking. The pivotal moment came when she had to ask herself, "Do you really believe that this can work and that people will like this product?" Despite some industry veterans discouraging her, citing shipping difficulties and perceived lack of demand for a large product, Aislyn trusted her intuition and her understanding of what athletes truly needed. Her journey began with building a prototype alongside her father, whom she affectionately calls "the best handyman ever." Through countless Home Depot runs and numerous setbacks, each challenge provided clearer insights into the final product. The positive feedback from dancers who tested the prototype, coupled with an overwhelming global response on social media, solidified her conviction and fueled her motivation.
Mastering Content and Delegation in the Dance Industry
What are Aislyn's strategies for growing a social presence and managing content?
In today's digital landscape, a strong social media presence is vital for any business, especially in the visually driven dance world. Aislyn, with a background in journalism and media communication, initially managed her personal social media, editing her own reels and cultivating a strong on-camera presence. However, for Studio Pop, she made a strategic decision to hire a professional videographer. This allowed her to delegate the demanding task of content creation, ensuring high-quality, appealing visuals that wouldn't be skipped. This delegation was crucial, as she was already balancing the development of the product with managing four other social media accounts. Aislyn emphasizes the importance of finding passionate professionals who believe in their craft, as it makes all the difference. Her advice to fellow dance business owners is clear: learn to delegate. One person can only handle so much, and relying on industry professionals frees up time and energy to focus on other critical aspects of the business.
How does Studio Pop approach collaborations and ambassadorships?
Studio Pop has garnered significant interest from dancers worldwide eager to collaborate or become ambassadors. While Aislyn plans to establish an ambassador program, she is taking a measured approach. Her priority is to finalize production details before officially launching such initiatives. With only one prototype currently available, she isn't in a position to ship products to ambassadors. This cautious strategy ensures that when the program does launch, it will be well-structured and sustainable, avoiding premature commitments that could overwhelm the nascent business.
Cultivating a Growth Mindset in Dancers
What habits distinguish fast-improving dancers, and how can others adopt them?
Aislyn has observed that the dancers who improve most rapidly share a common trait: consistency driven by internal passion and motivation. In the highly competitive dance industry, she encourages her athletes to set intentions before each training session. Not every day will be perfect, but the goal is to identify specific areas for improvement, even if it's just a "2% better" gain. This focused approach helps dancers understand what they are working towards. For Aislyn, remembering why one started dancing is paramount, as it combats the autopilot tendency of merely showing up for class. True growth comes from actively developing one's craft and skill set in every session.
How can dancers build confidence and overcome comparison?
Comparison, especially in the age of social media, is a pervasive challenge for dancers. Aislyn acknowledges that while it's subconscious, it's crucial to navigate these feelings and transform them into something positive. Instead of comparing oneself to others, she advocates for being proud of who you are as a person and an athlete. This means putting your heart into training, giving your all in every conditioning exercise, and finishing each session knowing you truly gave it your best. This internal validation, rather than external comparison, builds confidence over time. She stresses that dance should be a safe and happy space, and constantly picking oneself apart can lead to anxiety. Celebrating small milestones and acknowledging personal achievements are vital for mental well-being and sustained confidence.
The Entrepreneurial Balancing Act: Time Management and Self-Care
How does Aislyn manage her time and energy across multiple businesses?
Aislyn candidly admits that she isn't the best at traditional time management, often working non-stop. However, she views exhaustion and burnout as crucial signals. These moments prompt her to reflect on where she might be lacking, often pointing to a deficit in self-care. As an entrepreneur, she expects herself to operate at 100% constantly, but recognizes this is impossible without prioritizing mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Her self-care routine includes walking her dog, journaling, working out, and stretching. These activities help her achieve a calm, relaxed state, enabling her to wake up motivated and effectively balance her businesses.
What is the biggest misconception about opening a dance business?
The biggest misconception, according to Aislyn, is that passion for dance alone is sufficient. While she fell in love with dance and cheerleading at a young age, running a business involves a myriad of "outside things" that extend far beyond the art form itself. These include parent communication, class structure, safety plans, billing, and payroll. Her advice is to carry a strong work ethic, embrace uncomfortable moments, and never give up. Most importantly, a founder must believe in themselves and be their biggest cheerleader. The moment a founder doubts their own vision, they begin working against themselves, undermining the very foundation of what they are building.
FAQs
Q1: What is Studio Pop?
A1: Studio Pop is a home practice space designed for dancers, featuring a large mirror, spring floor, and customizable storage, allowing them to train and practice routines outside of a traditional studio setting.
Q2: Who is Aislyn Benjamin?
A2: Aislyn Benjamin is the founder of Studio Pop and a co-owner of NorCal Elite, an all-star cheerleading gym. She is a lifelong dancer and entrepreneur dedicated to supporting dancers' growth and well-being.
Q3: Why is home practice important for dancers?
A3: Home practice provides dancers with additional time and a dedicated space to refine skills, rep routines, and build strength beyond their regular studio hours, accelerating their progress and confidence.
Q4: What are the key challenges of starting a physical product business in dance?
A4: Challenges include overcoming skepticism, managing complex logistics like shipping, and the iterative process of prototyping. Success requires strong belief in the product and resilience.
Q5: How can dance business owners improve their social media presence?
A5: Aislyn recommends delegating content creation to professionals, focusing on high-quality visuals, and strategically planning collaborations rather than rushing into them.
Q6: What is the most important mindset for a dancer to develop?
A6: Dancers should focus on internal passion, setting intentions for improvement in each session, and building self-confidence by acknowledging their efforts and personal growth rather than comparing themselves to others.
Q7: Why is self-care crucial for dance entrepreneurs?
A7: Self-care is essential to prevent burnout and maintain optimal performance. Prioritizing mental, physical, and spiritual well-being allows entrepreneurs to sustain their motivation and effectively manage multiple ventures.
Q8: What is a common misconception about opening a dance studio or business?
A8: A common misconception is that passion for dance is enough. In reality, running a dance business involves extensive administrative tasks, communication, safety planning, and financial management beyond the artistic aspects.