Are you ready to Step Up?
International Dance Supplies are proud to present a brand-new initiative for UK dance schools, the Step Up Scholarship
At IDS we are committed to the growth of the UK dance community.
That’s why we are investing over £100,000 in dance business education over the next two years through the Step Up Scholarship.
We’ve partnered with the UK’s leading dance business coaches and together, we’re supporting UK dance school owners to thrive and grow.
The Step Up Scholarship provides financial assistance to dance schools by contributing £50 per month for up to two years towards the cost of education with these incredible coaches.
Here’s How It Works:
Apply via the application form on the IDS website.
Receive £50 per month for up to two years towards your plan.
Get ready to step up your business!
Meet Your Coaches
Deborah Laws (Dance Business Lab)
Following a successful career as a performer, multiple dance school owner, dance shop proprietor, franchisee, and ISTD modern and tap examiner and DDE tutor, Deborah began studying business for the dance and performing arts industry in 2016 when she realised that dance school owners simply didn’t seem to make much money!
There aren’t many areas of the dance world Deborah hasn’t experienced.
She now works full time as a business coach and strategist in her company Dance Business Lab and has created 3 x tiers of business coaching programmes, with different levels of support and guidance for dance school owners, managing different needs and stages of business.
Her purpose is to guide and facilitate the learning of others based on her own commitment to learn so that dance school owners can create successful schools on their own terms without creating burn out or overwhelm.
She is the creator of the top ranking "Ultimate Dance Business Podcast", a guest speaker for many examination boards and dance events, dance business owners retreat organiser and founder of the UK’s first ever conference for dance school owners - The Dance Business Conference, held in Birmingham each year.
She is 100% committed to bringing the dance industry together to aid each others growth.
As well as the business skills she teaches, Deborah also focusses on mindset and personal growth as she firmly believes these go hand in hand and is often heard to say “Your business can only grow as fast as you”
She welcomes new members at all stages of their business journey and prides herself on the inclusive, warm and empowering community she has built.
Sarah Gittins (The Den)
Sarah Gittins The Performance Business Mentor launched The Den (Previously The Dance Den) in 2016 to help empower Dance, Theatre, Music and Performing Arts Schools to build a thriving studio with 100’s of happy students without sacrificing their personal well being. With a postgrad in mentoring, entrepreneurial practice and management she has helped thousands of studio owners to scale their business.
Creator of The Start Scale Steer Evolve Legacy Studio System, whichever stage in your business journey you are, the strategic systems taught within her programmes are relevant to you. The CPD Accredited roadmap training within her membership is game changing. Her tailored financial strategies and efficient simple systems help you maximise profits while focusing on what matters most - inspiring your students and creating lasting impact.
A best-selling author, Sarah has also created The Performance Business Tracker, Show Planner, ENCORE Immersive weekend and spoken on numerous stages, podcasts in the UK and America. She has led training for the ISTD, BBO and IDTA and is the CAA Board member representing Independent Businesses.
For 24 years she ran her own successful multi venue 350 plus school, selling it in Summer ‘23 with a smooth and easy sale. What you get with her is straight talking business sense, she has the t-shirt in many colours and really comes from a place of experience.
Louise Brough (The Dance Business Academy)
The Dance Business Coach community offers LIFE CHANGING results to Dance Business Owners. Much more than just adding more students to your classes, the community will grow YOU as a person, giving you more confidence and clarity to build the business of your dreams. So if you're ready to transform your school, you're in the right place...
Louise is a school owner herself, mum of 3 under 5, and has successfully grown and stepped back from her school of 500 students. She understands the struggles and juggles you face and has all the tools you need to succeed.
The Dance Business Coach community offers innovative and relevant ways to grow your school and build a team, helping school owners hit incredible milestones with some even reaching £50k+ months, proving anything is possible with the right support and skillset!
Louise's community is a space for driven and unapologetically ambitious DBO's, with game changing insights, it's a place to elevate yourself and your results.
2025 isn't going to hand you success, you're going to have to take it. Fight for it daily. Fight for your growth. Fight for your goals. Fight to be better than you were yesterday. This community will help you do just that and the results of the hundreds of schools that have experienced the huge, transformative results, really do speak for themselves.
Spaces are limited – apply now and take the first step towards transforming your studio!
Terms & Conditions: IDS will contribute to the cost of dance education provided by the Coach. IDS will contribute £50 per month towards the cost of each subscription with the Coach. The customers of IDS who are eligible to participate in the Scheme must be a Dance School Principal and must confirm that they have never previously had a paid subscription with a Dance Business Coach who is participating in the Scheme.