Chasta Hamilton Chasta Hamilton

The Ownership Decoder

We are watching dance, dance education, and the industry surrounding it, change at a rapid pace.

Consolidation. Private Equity. Corporatization.

Mergers & Acquisitions.

Holding Companies.

It’s all happening.

Step by step, Dance Local is here to help you understand the shifts.


WHO OWNS IT?


Here are the most common types of ownership:

  1. Local Owner: A person or family owns the dance business 

    1. Who owns the business?

      1. Ex: Stage Door Dance Productions

  2. Franchise: A local person owns/operates the location, but another company owns the brand and business system 

    1. Who owns the brand? 

      1. Ex: Tutu School 

  3. Acquired: An existing dance business is purchased by another company or investor

    1. Who owns the company?

      1. Ex: Discount Dance Supply, acquired by Capezio

  4. Investor-Backed: An investment firm puts money into or buys a company because it expects financial return 

    1. Who owns the company? 

      1. Ex: Capezio under Argand Partners

  5. Platform/ Parent Company: A company owns multiple businesses or brands

    1. Who owns the owner? 

      1. Ex: DanceOne or Ensemble Performing Arts 


The name at the front of the business doesn’t always tell you who owns it. 

A business can fall into multiple categories. 

  • Capezio: Family Owner- Acquired- Private Equity Owned

  • Tutu School: Locally Operated + Part of a Larger Brand

  • An Ensemble School: Locally Founded - Acquired- Owned by Larger Platform 

WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD YOU ASK?

5 Questions to Ask When Considering Dance Brands:

  1. Who owns it?

  2. Who makes the decisions?

  3. Who ultimately benefits financially? 

  4. How will they make decisions to shape the direction of dance?

  5. As consumers, how much choice do we want to have in where and how we spend our dollars?

If independent businesses disappear and more of the market is controlled by fewer owners, consumers will have fewer independent alternatives. 

When you hear corporate language, ask:

  • WHO owns it?

  • WHAT changed?

  • HOW does it affect me? 

IF YOU HEAR THIS, ASK THIS:


“We’re partnering with…”

Does this partner have any ownership stake in the company?


“We’re still founder-led.”

Does the founder still own the company?


“We’re now part of a large family of brands.”

Who owns the parent company? 


“Nothing is changing.”

What remains locally controlled and what is now centralized?

Remember: Ownership doesn’t immediately tell you whether a dance business is necessarily good/bad or aligned/misaligned with your goals.

It tells you WHO has the power to shape it, which opens up thoughtful consideration and dialogue.

As consumers, WE also have the power to shift the direction of dance.










Read More