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Pole Friends Teaching At Competing Studios
Hello all!
I've got a weird situation that I was hoping to get some friendly advice on as I navigate through. I've been friends with a fellow poler (actually got her into pole) for a while now but we fell out of touch when we started teaching at competing studios near each other. We used to pole together a lot and we both miss the creativity and fun we had pole dancing together. So now we've decided to try hanging out again and we don't want to cut pole out of our friendship because it is a deep part of that connection, but there has been drama between our studios that we want to be careful to avoid with each other. I was hoping for some input in what you all have done or might suggest as far as guidelines for our getting together to avoid conflicts. These are things I've thought about so far:
– No talking about work specific things, how we teach, marketing, people we work with, etc… (any other specific suggestions here?)
– No pole play dates at either studio (I'm pretty sure neither studio owner would be too happy about that)One area that is very gray to me is in what we learn together. If I have learned something specifically from my studio that is not general pole moves and stuff, for example – partner acrobatics moves, is that off-limits to play around with with her? We used to find things online to experiment with in the world of pole doubles and stuff, so I could totally see doing something like that with her but I'm afraid of one of us taking the new knowledge and bringing it into their studio to work with, therefore causing potential hard feelings from the other studio. Likewise, I know she has learned Pole Aria and that is a great addition to her studio, something studios around us don't offer to my knowledge, so it might be problematic if I learned it from her. Maybe we could agree not to teach those things at our own studio (to instructors OR students) if we learn it until another instructor from our studio takes it on?
I am trying to cover all my bases here because I really enjoy poling with my friend and I want to avoid causing any conflict between our studios and our friendship =)
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9 Replies
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F… the studios…. she's your FRIEND!!! enjoy your pole time pole jam together and whatever comes with it!!!
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I agree with Olivia. Enjoy your time together, learn what you can from each other, talk to each other about teaching techniques… It can only improve both of your business. I try to learn as much as I can to be the best teacher to my students and I should hope she feels the same way. If she has some excellent way to teach a move, doesn't it benefit everyone to learn it?
I work at 2 competing studios simultaneously. It's a fine line a lot of times so I understand… but in my opinion, growth in a positive direction helps all people involved in the pole industry in the long run. The studios almost certainly have different atmospheres/things to offer, so sharing trick and teaching advice won't be the clients only factor in deciding which studio to go to.
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I agree. Enjoy your time together and be an example. You can learn whatever you want to learn from each other, just be mindful of what you are teaching in your own classes to maintain a professional respect about not taking each others work and marketing it as your own as far as specific movements or teaching skills. Basically, feel totally free to learn from each other personally, just be respectful of her work product as a professional. Keep communication open if there’s anything you do together that you would like to incorporate into your business and navigate that thoughtfully and respectfully if it happens.
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It has already all been said. Studio drama is just that…between the studio owners. You as an employee should not have to deal with that. I am glad that Kori chimed in as I was going to use her as an example. NO employer can tell you who you can and cannot be friends with.
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Small businesses often times make the mistake of competing over things that are essentially public domain. Its inevitable that once someone has figured out a better way to teach move X its only a matter of time before everyone is teaching it that way. Small business has a tendency to draw its employees into these petty squabbles over who stole whose curriculum or creating animosity that is not good for the community as a whole.
In the end a business has to build its value proposition on other things, that have a higher barrier to entry. Maybe they offer convenience another studio doesn't have, maybe they have a juice bar or are close to a child care facility, perhaps they offer more community building activities.
A good business doesn't need animosity to create value, and competitive animosity should never trickle over into its employees. Once that starts its the beginning of the end for all involved. Consider it a favor to your employer to foster good will between them and their competitor by maintaining a good relationship with your friend.
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Exactly web….”be the change…”
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Thanks everyone for the input. I have a great respect for my pole home as well as my friend, I just want to make sure that what I do now reflects that and does embrace a happy attitude and hopefully a positive connection with her studio and mine. <3
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OMG, I just saw this! Emma, I would LOVE to finally get together if you still want to! I do miss our pole shenanigans. I will hit you up ASAP Lady!!!
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Miss you Hun!!
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