What’s your reason for doing all this?
As studio owners, we wear many hats — teacher, mentor, marketer, administrator, emotional support hotline. And sometimes, in the hustle, it’s easy to lose sight of the why behind it all.
That’s where the Japanese concept of ikigai comes in.
It roughly translates to “reason for being,” and it sits at the intersection of four powerful things:
- What you love
- What you’re good at
- What the world needs
- What you can be paid for
When those four things overlap, you’re not just running a business. You’re living a purpose.
One of my mentors (the gorgeous and wise Sarah) speaks about this often, and it’s something I’ve personally leaned into, especially in recent years. It’s easy to become consumed with growth, enrolments, staff issues, or revenue goals — but without aligning those efforts with purpose, we can find ourselves achieving success that still doesn’t feel satisfying.
What does Ikigai look like in studio life?
- You love teaching dance and mentoring kids? Great — that’s passion.
- You’ve developed the skills to choreograph, lead a team, and build a great timetable? That’s your profession.
- Your community is crying out for inclusive, values-based performing arts training? There’s your mission.
- And if you can get paid properly to do all that? That’s the business side of your ikigai.
When all four are firing together — that’s when you feel it. The clarity. The joy. The flow.
But when even one piece is off, things feel… harder. You might:
- Love what you do, but feel underpaid and undervalued.
- Be skilled, but not inspired.
Be making money, but feel burnt out and stuck.
How can studio owners find their Ikigai again?
That’s exactly why I created the Studio BUSINESS Academy.
It’s not just about making money (though that’s important). It’s about:
- Building systems so your business doesn’t rely 100% on you
- Reconnecting to your purpose so you don’t lose your spark
- Surrounding yourself with others who get it, and cheer you on
- Having the tools to actually grow sustainably — without burning out
We help you line those four pieces back up: love, skill, purpose, and income.
If you want to dive deeper into the concept, here’s a fantastic breakdown of Ikigai by Psychology Today and a beautiful TEDx Talk from Tim Tamashiro who makes it super relatable.
But if you’re ready to do more than just read about it — and start actually living it again — you know where to find us.
Your studio can bring you joy and provide a living.
Let’s help you find that sweet spot again.
