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Making your first hire can feel overwhelming, especially when you've built your studio with your own two hands.
We're bringing back this insightful conversation from our podcast archives because its lessons on hiring, leadership, and delegation remain timeless for studio owners.
In this episode, Mary Giattino shares the personal story of taking over her family's dance studio, hiring her very first studio manager, and learning that true delegation isn't about giving away tasks. It's about empowering others to lead. Through honest reflections on hiring, trust, systems, and leadership, Mary offers practical insights to help studio owners build stronger teams and create a business that can grow beyond themselves.
What You'll Learn
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Why your first hire is one of the biggest leadership decisions you'll make
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How Mary transitioned from Broadway to owning her family's dance studio
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What to look for when hiring a studio manager
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Why delegation is about empowerment—not just assigning tasks
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How to build trust while maintaining accountability
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The importance of systems and clear communication
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Why culture fit matters just as much as skill set
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How delegation allows studio owners to focus on vision and growth
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Lessons Mary learned from growing her admin team over the past 12 years
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Why leadership and delegation are continual learning processes
Mary Giattino is a Broadway choreographer, educator, and longtime dance studio owner. She owns Stage Door School of Dance in Long Island, New York, serves as a DSOA Inner Circle Studio Growth Coach, and has worked on numerous Broadway and national touring productions, including Billy Elliot, Dear Evan Hansen, Fun Home, and White Christmas. Today, Mary combines her professional performing arts experience with decades of studio leadership to help dance studio owners build stronger businesses and teams.
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