Local Studios Working Together?

Kobajo84 started this discussion · 7/22/2011

This Saturday I'll be participating in a pole class at a studio in Florida. I found it quite interesting when I'd written to the studio that I got an email response that included a recommendation for another studio within close proximity to theirs since "they mutually refer eachother's studios." I think its great they work so well together in that aspect considering they are competing studios. I'm curious to know what some of your thoughts are on this topic- do your local studios in your towns/cities work together by referring clients, hosting events, etc? ❤️

22 replies

Vertical Secrets · 7/22/2011
Yes, I do that as well with another studio down here in South Africa and it's going well. We refer students to each other if the student is closer to my location and visa versa. We both have the same goal to bring awareness about pole dance fitness and the only way to do it down here is to work together to promote the benefits of pole. I hope that was helpful.
chemgoddess1 · 7/22/2011
I wish this was more common! There are a few of us in Ohio that try to work together but there is still this whole animosity. Each studio has strengths and every teacher you can learn something from. I really wish students and studio owners understood that! And to go one step further, an instructor from up here was going to be in SC (I think) on vacation and wanted to go to a studio wheil she was in town. When thery found out that she was an instructor all of a sudden all of their classes were "full".
Mary Ellyn · 7/22/2011
I'm impressed by this..I wish it were this way here in Illinois. It seems that the closer two studios are to each other the less they wish to get along. I have a certification program and encourage/support training of other studios and instructors plus with the work I do with Midwest Pole Dancing. One such studio close by told me to take her off my mailing list. Some have events or guest instructors and never invite others to their studio. Plus things I've been told have been said about my studio from their past students is appalling! :( But among those further away, we do share events and have at least a cordial relationship and I've referred many students to other studios when they are far from me or need a party I cannot accomodate.
Vdub · 7/22/2011
I really wish studios worked closer together. Each studio has something to different to offer. One may have instructors that are good at tricks and not so good at floorwork and another may have instructors who are very dancey. As a student, I'd like to be able to flow from studio to studio based on my needs as a student. I simply just have not seen this mentality in Ohio, but I'm still hopeful!
Ember · 7/22/2011
I work at three different studios and I recommend people to them based on where they are in Phoenix, we are super spread out here and it's nice to be able to send someone to take pole and trust that the studio is doing the same for you. GO POLE COMMUNITY!
minicoopergrl · 7/22/2011
As a client, I dont see much of that. Where I go we have 4 locations but they dont want work with anyone else but themselves. I think we should all work together, were all here for the same reasons - to get fit and find our inner sexy.
Dancing Paws · 7/22/2011
I have some studios a few hours away that are planning on referring girls to me. It is important to help eachother out to 1) help spread pole 2) help students get the classes they need and want. My classes will be more spin based, while my partner in crime is a pro at tricks and sexy moves. If girls want something that I cannot provide, I will pass them onto someone who can give them what they want.
Angel1201 · 7/22/2011
At the studio I used to teach at the owner bad mouthed another local studio so much that I was afraid to go there. She made the workers there seem like nasty monsters. She said if I went I should lie about being an instructor and be careful b/c they might not let me in. She also of course wanted a full report (like I was a spy). Anyway, I went there, met a bunch of truly wonderful ladies that I have become good friends with and I am always welcomed with very open arms!! I don't think I ever told my boss I went. Needless to say, I don't work for the studio I first mentioned anymore.
Dancing Paws · 7/22/2011
Even though you may INITIALLY lose money referring clients, you will gain clients in then end from a pleasant attitude on both ends. If another studio has an attitude, people will avoid that studio, so if both have attitudes, there goes the pole business.
OopseyDaisey · 7/22/2011
@ -I've been in a similar situation with an "instructor" (and I use that term loosely) who bad mouthed everyone else in the pole world, including some frequent posters on here that aren't even in the same state! She always wanted everyone to go spy for her. Needless to say, I left not long after I started. I love this thread--shows that people want to be more positive! Kinda reminds me of Santa in Miracle on 34th Street sending people to Macy's competitors.
Angel1201 · 7/22/2011
Good always wins over evil. Love always conquers hate. Just like in the movies :)
Kobajo84 · 7/23/2011
Thanks everyone for the wonderful feedback! It is interesting how different people are within the pole community. I am all for supporting each other. It's a shame that some people have participated in cattiness. I think with the growing trend of pole fitness/pole dancing that there will be more studios within closer distances and those that choose to be spiteful will see the repercussions of their actions in the end. Kudos to all the studios supporting each other! We definitely need to continue that and push for more of that positivity within the community. ❤️
Judy Jovanelly · 7/23/2011
This thread comes at a very interesting time for me, and I am happy to read that there is some cooperation 'out there'. There are only a few studios in my state, and we are all fairly spread out, except for one which is about 18 miles from mine. If I get a call from someone who is closer to the others, I feel it is less than professional if I don't at least mention that the other studio is closer to the caller. Let the customer decide where they think they will have the best experience. I'm pretty sure nobody else out here does this..... ah well. Maybe one day !
chemgoddess1 · 7/23/2011
Speaking as a consumer I have tried my best to get out to every studio within an hours drive from me. I usually like to go out when they are first opening to welcome them and get a feel for their studio. I camp all over the place during the summer and you never know where the hubs and I will end up on the weekends during the winter. I think it is important to know who and what is around you, first hand (not hearsay) so that when people see you pole you can let them know where they can learn this awesome sport. As an instructor I think this has made me better because I have seen a bunch of different styles of teaching so I know what I like and what I don't.
Angel1201 · 7/23/2011
I should add that when I go to studios to do instructor training I get girls from competing studios in the same room for about 13 hours over the course of a weekend. There have been little issues here and there, but I'd say 95% of the time, everyone plays nice.
hrhlaura · 7/23/2011
I'm having the same problem with my old studio I used to co-own re: the bad mouthing . I have since left, but I still refer people to her if tehy are closer. However she definitely goes out of her way to steal my students. What goes around comes around is my moto. @ Vertical Secrets - very glad some other studios in SA are co-operating - makes life much more fun :)
Vertical Secrets · 7/23/2011
@hrhlaura - I know what you mean down here in South Africa. I moved down here from the States 2 years ago and live in Cape Town. Openning up a studio down here was a little hectic especially with some other studios that hate to have competition. That is why I teamed up with another studio down here to give others options of pole studios in the area. In fact, I am in a pole dance fitness showcase down in here in August with another pole studio. I take it your in Jozi.
Charley · 7/23/2011
For those who are attending the Midwest Pole Comp - I heard that Collette's seminar is about this very thing. I'll be in there!
Mary Ellyn · 7/23/2011
Yes Collettes seminar addresses this and much more. It was very popular at the Pole Convention and she is a wonderful speaker. I am looking forward to this one myself!
nymphdancer · 7/23/2011
I'm hoping to get to go to Collette's seminar as well, if I get to make the trip working on that now but hopeful enough to have bought tickets for the compition.
Judy Jovanelly · 7/23/2011
my studio regularly brings in recognized pole folks for workshops, and every time we do, we make a point of inviting the other studios to participate. do you know that NOT ONE of them, even though the invitation asks for an RSVP, has ever even replied with a 'no thanks'. *sigh*
Dancing Paws · 7/23/2011
There was a certain degree of drama in the bellydance comminity back where I am from, but where I live now, there is a group you can join that puts you on a list of instructors, that has monthly performances, etc. It's a small community. That's what each area needs to be with pole! Hmmm, I should try that. The pole fitness organization of oregon. WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHA! Or the "Pole Organization of Oregon" (POO) HAHAHA!