New Beginnings: Carrie Smith’s Journey of Starting Little Leaps Dance Studio in a New City

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Moving to a new city and starting a business from scratch is no small feat. But Carrie Smith, the founder of Little Leaps Dance Studio, did just that. Her journey of cultivating new connections and using some guerrilla marketing techniques offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. Here’s how she did it.

Welcome to Little Leaps Dance Studio

Welcome to the Entrepreneur Bootcamp Podcast, where we provide the tools, strategies, and insights you need to build and grow your small business. I’m your host, Derek Schmidt, and today, we have an inspiring guest who’s making a big impact in the world of children’s dance education. Joining us is Carrie Smith, the founder of Little Leaps Dance Studio, which offers dance classes for children as young as three months up to eight years old. Blending creative movement with developmental growth, her programs are designed to support early childhood development through the powerful connection of music and movement.

Starting Anew in Wilmington

Carrie shares her journey of starting and growing Little Leaps Dance Studio. After deciding to exit her dance studio in Connecticut in 2022, she moved to Wilmington to be closer to family. With almost 20 years of experience, Carrie wasn’t ready for retirement and wanted to continue her dance journey by specializing in early childhood dance education. Thus, Little Leaps was born. She started planning well before moving and worked on branding and social media to lay a solid foundation.

Finding a Space and Fostering Community

One of the biggest milestones for Carrie was finding a physical home for her studio. After a long search and various challenges, she secured a space with the hope of opening in the fall of 2023. Before having a physical location, she faced the challenge of finding places to hold dance classes, especially considering Wilmington’s hot summer weather.

To bridge this gap, Carrie started volunteering at the Fit For Fun Center, a children and parent activity space run by the City of Wilmington. This partnership not only gave her a venue for pop-up classes but also helped her make personal connections and integrate into the community.

Building Relationships and Leveraging Guerrilla Marketing

Carrie’s marketing strategies heavily rely on community connections and collaboration. By volunteering and partnering with local organizations like Fit For Fun and the YMCA, she got out in the community, shared her passion, and attracted new students. She uses personalized email marketing, social media presence on Facebook and Instagram, and community event participation to promote her business.

Seeing the Impact

Carrie has noticed a significant impact on the children who participate in her programs. From gaining confidence to making new friends, the benefits of early childhood dance education are evident. These positive outcomes reinforce her teaching philosophy, which emphasizes exploration, discovery, and play over rigid adherence to instructions.

The Power of Word of Mouth

Word of mouth plays a crucial role in Carrie’s marketing strategy. She encourages it through referral credits and by leveraging the network of parents. Testimonials and public appreciation of recommendations help build credibility and attract new clients.

Preparing for the Grand Opening

As she prepares for the grand opening of her new studio, Carrie plans to maintain momentum through ongoing community events, personalized email campaigns, and potential contests on social media. She’s considering all avenues to keep her current clients engaged and attract new ones.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Carrie emphasizes the importance of cultivating relationships and partnerships. Whether you’ve lived in the town your whole life or just moved in, building connections can provide invaluable support and opportunities for growth. She also underscores the importance of ongoing professional development to ensure that her classes meet the unique needs of her students.

Conclusion

Carrie Smith’s journey with Little Leaps Dance Studio is a testament to the power of community and strategic marketing. By cultivating relationships and being proactive in her marketing efforts, she successfully navigated the challenges of starting a new business in a new city. For more information about Little Leaps, visit LittleLeapsKids.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Entrepreneur Bootcamp Podcast. If you found Carrie’s story inspiring, please like, and subscribe to the podcast. Let’s continue to build and grow our businesses together.