Community...Be A Part!

Each spring and summer most communities offer wonderful events for families that are free.  Some of these include 'Movies on the Lawn', 'Theatre in the Park', 'Music in the Park', etc.  These type of events draw large crowds and are wonderful events in which to take part.

Contact the organizers of these events in your area and see how you could become a part of them---or better yet:  start your own!

It's not only a great community service and outreach---it is a great way to get the word out about your program and what you do.

Summer is Coming!

Summer Workshop fun..check out the costumes we made!

With the beautiful spring weather comes visions of wonderful summer plans for young children's programs!  Be sure to not miss out on a great opportunity to offer camps, classes, workshops, parties, etc---that maybe you are not able to offer throughout the school year.  Parents are looking for neat, new learning opportunities for their children this summer.

Summer is a great time to continue learning; creativity is always needing to be nurtured in young children---and dance and theatre are wonderful ways to do that.  Physical fitness and agility, creative thinking, critical thinking, and expression---just a few of the skills that are covered in this art form.


Check out Little People's Creative Workshop's summer program opportunities!

Are You Ready to Ride the Wave?

There have been many articles lately by top business authorities acknowledging how wise it is to start a business now while all the economic turmoil spins about.  Looking through history these are the times that the most prosperous and successful businesses begin.  So many people wait until "things appear optimum" and "good times" arrive----this is quite often a mistake.  The businesses that begin in not so optimum economic times are the ones that are fully prepared and ready for the WINDFALL of business that always follows a recession/economic decline.

Children's services are doing very well, despite the economic climate.  Parents will choose to cut out many other things from the budget before cutting out a special enrichment activity for their children.  When the economy begins to rebound---these types of classes experience a complete FLOOD of new students and business.

Don't hesitate to follow your dream based on all the negative media that we are constantly bombarded with daily.  We encourage you to move forward and take action---so you can be ready in the near future when demand will be amazing for children's activities.

Just as we saw in the 30's---people always turn to art/entertainment to soothe themselves in hard times----they want to do the same for their children.  

If more of our leaders had been trained and had experience in the arts---they would be much more creative thinkers out there making better decisions!  :)

Owning Your Own Business?????? Has It Been In the Back of Your Mind?

Whether you have always dreamed of being a business owner---or have never thought of it before; now is a great time.  Corporate American has burned out so many people and professionals are seeing the benefit of having control of their career and income.  There is no better investment that owning your own business---it is a great way to express your creativity and strengths, enjoy what you do, and not worry whether you will have a job tomorrow or not.  If you are someone that loves young children and desires to invest in their lives---it is a wonderful time to explore the opportunity of doing what you love as a career.

If you work with young children---we would love to hear from you!  Share your great stories with us and what you have learned by working with little ones in dance.  Quite often they teach us more than we teach them! :)

Parents Not Giving Up on the Arts, Even in Bad Times

Numerous polls have shown that parents are not giving up and cutting out the arts in the family budget when it comes to their children.  Most parents see and experience the benefits that dance, theatre, and music provide in their child's life.  In our own program we have seen a great jump in enrollment this early spring; and continue to receive inquiries of new families that want to get their young ones involved in dance.  One positive of hard economic times is that we get to really see what is important to people---and it is obvious that arts enrichment stands out above the others!  Bravo!

Polls Show Dance Class Enrollment Holds Steady With Young Children

Several polls that have been conducted throughout the nation and on the internet show that parents are not cutting back when it comes to dance classes for their children.  They are finding other ways to cut back on their monthly budget.  Parents of older children that take 4-5 days per week are cutting back on the number of classes taken per week---but not cutting it out completely.

Dance for young children is a relatively inexpensive activity for parents to invest in---the very kind that in these tight times parents desire.  Young children only take one class per week and the average monthly tuition hovers around $45 per month.  That is an expense that most families can add to their budget without sacrificing much at all.  

While large studios that teach all ages and have huge overhead are feeling the negative side of this economy---mobile dance programs that concentrate on young children are not being effected.  Their overhead is extremely low and the cost of the classes is within reach of American families.

Hottest New Franchise for Children's Dance!

Check out Little People's Creative Workshop---featured on Red Hot Franchises beginning this month.  To find out more information on this great opportunity visit:

www.LPCWfranchise.com

It's a great time to get going.

The Best Time to Start A New Business.....

USA Today ran a great article today about the worst of times is the BEST time to start a business. During economic hardship everyone seems to sit around and do nothing---which means NO COMPETITION!  USA Today interviewed several top business owners that started their businesses in hard economic times---and it actually helped them rise to the top and STAY there once the economy turned around.  It's a great article---check it out:

http://usat.me/?34232046

Children's Service Industry Continues to Grow Even in Hard Times

Franchise Gator --- a leading franchise authority and web portal --- states that children's services, especially in the arts category, continue to grow and be the most requested and popular of business buyers.  The children's dance and service industry consistently seem to slip away from the woes felt by many other businesses in hard times.  Starting a children's dance franchise, such as Little People's Creative Workshop, is a super low cost start-up and a proven business system.  Many individuals that desire to own their own business are wise enough to seek out and invest in such franchises when looking to own their own business.

Seeing A Child's Creative Mind

As a dancer and performer since the age of three, I cannot think of a better way for young children to explore movement, enhance creativity and build self-confidence than through dance classes. I have taught many age groups and with many companies, but Little People’s Creative Workshop provides a completely rewarding experience. 

Dance and LPCW, is more than just another form of exercise for the children, it provides an exploration into the arts that all children should be exposed to.  Through LPCW, children are able to learn how to use their bodies as a form of expression and a possible outlet for creative thinking. Learning this at an early age can provide life long benefits for our students; such as better problem solving skills, more self confidence and of-course better coordination.

Personally, there are few things more rewarding than being able to see a child’s creative mind grow and see them move and explore on their own.  I enjoy seeing children approach the lessons in a completely different way than I expected them to and everyday is a surprise! I have grown as a dancer with LPCW because it caused me to look at movement from a child like perspective; giving me a new approach to dance.

I look forward to continue to share my love for dance with young children through Little People’s Creative Workshop.

~Jennifer Delfin, LPCW Northern Virginia Regional Director & Instructor

Requests Constantly Coming in for Children's Dance Programs

There are so many hungry regions and areas of the US that greatly desire a strong, excellent young children's dance and theatre program.  Parents see the benefits and desire to have the opportunity for their children.  Here in the US there are many untapped territories and regions that are ready to consume such a program and flood it with students.  We are continually receiving calls and e-mails from parents and organizations desiring a good program to be offered in their communities.  It's a wonderful time for this industry to grow and take advantage of the need.

It's a Great Time to Think About Starting a Business....

Contrary to what it may seem---while a recession is going on it is a great time to work toward opening a new business.  When the recession passes you will be in working order and ready to enjoy the windfall that always follows such times.  There are many individuals that think they should not start a business until a recession is over; but then when the great windfall happens they are just beginning to get things together and do not get to enjoy it!  Be shrewd and wise by starting  a new business now---and you will already be open and working when the big times come around!  "Don't be so preoccupied with losing your frisbee that you never throw it!" (Or are caught unaware when someone is ready to catch!)

Trends and Facts About Owning A Children's Dance Business

The market for providing children's services and products is huge.  The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics estimates that there are more than 73 million children under the age of 18 in the US.  Birth rates are up, and it is expected that children will number over 80 million by 2020---and make up 24% of the population.

Spending on children is also rising--with both parents and grandparents driving this trend.  This is great news for those that want to own their own business that caters to children!  Children exert a profound influence on household spending, with an estimated $500 billion spent on services for children.  American Demographics magazine reports that 4-12 year olds account for $40 billion in spending every year.

One of the most successful and popular with parents children's service is dance and theatre classes--preferably ones that come to their children instead of stationary facilities that parents must find the time to drop off and pick up their children.

There are many opportunities for individuals from varied backgrounds to be able to run their own business teaching children's dance.  In our industry we have former school teachers, athletes, event planners, IT professionals, marketers, corporate executives, etc.   Individuals that have experience as dancers/teachers and working in some capacity with children in their past; but had no idea that they could own a business doing something that they love.

Invest in a Proven Program of Excellence

Time-starved parents are causing businesses that cater to children's services to boom.

Anyone considering starting up their own dance business should weigh all the great benefits of investing in a proven program of excellence that has been around for a long time.  Start-up businesses from scratch have a 90% fail rate!  

The pros of investing in a franchised business are vast.  1.  You are purchasing a proven system of doing business.  The franchisor has already checked it out in the marketplace and found that it works.  2.  It will be turnkey.  3.  National recognition by consumers.  There is already a presence in the marketplace---the path has been blazed.  4.   You have the support of management that will point you in all the right directions.  5.  There are training programs and other forms of follow-up support to assist you in all phases of running the franchise operation.

The children's dance industry is booming right now and the demand is great.  There are so many areas in the nation that have yet to be tapped---waiting for the right service to come their way.   Contact Little People's Creative Workshop for more information about the benefits of the children's dance industry and to find out more about their franchise.  LPCW has been around for 18 years---teaching dance to young children is their specialty.   www.LPCWfranchise.com and www.LPCW.com

Forward Thinking......

So many people let the past hold them back--they need to move forward in order to find success.  What is your current career situation?  Is it in the unstable world of corporate America--where you never know if you will have a job when you wake up?  Is it in the school systems---where positions in dance, theatre, and music are being cut right and left (or non-existent in the first place)?  Don't get stuck in a rut feeling that you have no choices.

Do a life assessment, decide to be a conqueror, don't be a complainer, learn new habits, choose to help others, consider moving in a new direction.  These short ideas are the beginning of a possible new life and career change for anyone that is ready to move on into a great opportunity!  If your heart love children and you would like the control and freedom that comes from owning your own business---move toward making that happen.  The most successful individuals are those that do what they love and love what they do.  Today's the day!

Flexible Working Options for Moms......

Many women these days come to a point in their lives that they must make a choice.  It doesn't involve heels vs. flats or whether to make a dinner at home or order takeout.  It is the much more important choice of whether to go to work or raise a family.

Many women would rather not have to make that choice---family should always be priority; but with the economic situation as it is, many moms must work in order to help with the family's budget needs.  

Our industry is such a blessing in this situation.  By teaching dance classes to young children moms are able to work a few hours a day and make a wonderful living---while working mostly from their home, and being home in the afternoons, evenings, and weekends.   Our dance teachers and administrators get to have both----a stay-at-home mom status as well as a paycheck and the flexibility of creating their own schedule around the needs of family.  

So, for those of us choosing this option---we can say good-bye to long work hours and corporate demands---as well as the uncertainty of job security that is so prevalent in the corporate world today.  We can fully embrace the joy of being there for our children and spouses while owning our business---one in which we love and have a passion.

Great Ratings for the Dance Industry!

Just yesterday it was listed that educational enrichment services for children are in the TOP 5 most successful businesses to own!   The study listed classes such as acting, dance, music, and art as in the top five franchises that  people wish to own and that are the most successful and profitable.  Great news for those of us in this industry---or for those that are thinking being a part of it.

Nurturing Tots to Teens......

It is important for dance and theatre arts teachers to know their abilities and be willing to admit them.  Very few teachers can teach the two extreme age groups:  tots and teens.  There are a few, but not many.  The strong programs out there that keep success solid and students and families returning each year have teachers that teach within their abilities.  Teaching little ones is not just babysitting.  A good early childhood dance instructor knows how to blend a genuine love for children with the ability to keep order and structure in the classroom; and at the same time nurturing students' engagement and enthusiasm.  They must also know how to communicate and deal with parents in a very professional way.

There are many challenges to teaching young children in the arts; but the rewards are more than worth it.  If you are a teacher in this industry---make sure that you know your abilities and are teaching within them.  Parents and students quickly pick up on teachers that are outside their sweetspots!  The programs that are strong and successful have well-trained instructors that excel in the ages that they teach.

LPCW Fills the Gap in the Dance Industry

Early exposure to dance and theatre can have lasting benefits, including acquiring social and physical skills that will help children throughout their lives.  Yet, in the past two disturbing trends in dance classes for young children have been noticed:  either the little ones were being taught strict ballet, which was beyond their physical capabilities; or the classes were treated as playtime.

A meaningful program for young children was established in 1991, Little People's Creative Workshop.  LPCW classes are age-appropriate and taught by trained professionals.  Many have attended the International Teacher's Conference held by LPCW over the years--and it has caused their businesses and teaching to grow by leaps and bounds.

LPCW is now the largest organization teaching dance to young children in the U.S.  They have begun to augment their steady nationwide growth with expansion and will be offering franchises in the near future.   LPCW is a turnkey program providing everything someone would need to establish and grow a home-based business with multiple growth avenues.  It is a great opportunity for anyone that loves young children and dance---but wants to be sure they are offering a high-quality, age-specific program of excellence.  Something to look into!   www.LPCWfranchise.com