What if the thing you see as your biggest weakness is actually your greatest asset?

This week, I’m sharing one of the best lessons I ever got from a dance professor: “If you can’t fix it, feature it.” At the time, it was about choreography—but over the years, I’ve realized it applies to business too.

From my gray hair patch (that my stylist insists I feature!) to running a home studio out of my basement in the early days, to building six-week sessions that turned into our most profitable program—what started as “flaws” or “detriments” became the exact reasons people trusted and chose my business.

Inside this episode, you’ll hear:

• 🎭 How a perceived weakness in your business might actually be your biggest draw
• 💇 Why authenticity (like embracing my gray hair!) builds deeper trust with your people
• 🩰 My story of building a home-based studio—and how it attracted the perfect-fit clients
• 📈 How six-week sessions, once seen as a weakness, became our #1 revenue driver
• 🕵️ Questions to ask yourself to uncover what to “feature” in your own studio

And of course, I’ll share how consistency and accountability inside LEVEL UP can help you spot and feature your brilliance instead of hiding it.

Because your quirks? Your isms? Those might be your next big win.

Love today’s podcast? 🙌

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In 2009, Melissa Rose started her business, The Dancing House, in the basement of her home. There, she taught the art of dance to students of all ages while her babies were right along with her, in the pack and playing. With passion, resilience, and tenacity, she created a business that has become "The Highlight of Your Week" for her tribe, her team, and her community, along with running a successful brick-and-mortar business and an online dance membership.

When she’s not teaching pliés or hitting publish on a podcast, Melissa coaches other brick-and-mortar business owners to become the only option in town—using smart, sustainable SEO strategies like Google Business Profile optimization, blog content, and simple marketing systems that actually work. Off the clock? You’ll find her chasing her five amazing kids, hiking her favorite trails, or getting her hands dirty in the garden.

This week, I’m sharing the story of how I finally got my dream property—a year in the making, and really, years in the waiting.

For so long I was hustling, grinding, stressing, and “doing all the things,” but not seeing the results I wanted. Sound familiar?

Everything shifted when I stopped trying to do business like everyone else and started living in alignment with who I am. I got clear on what I wanted (yes, I literally drew it out), held onto the belief that it would happen, and released the pressure of how it would come together. That clarity—and willingness to walk away when things didn’t fit—opened doors I couldn’t have planned for.

In this episode, I’ll share:

• The miracles and setbacks that led me here
• Why unwavering belief (without attaching to the “how”) is powerful
• How living authentically creates alignment—and alignment attracts opportunities
• A simple reflection to check if what you’re doing now is truly moving you where you want to be

By the end, you’ll be inspired to pause, reflect, and get clear: Are you living in alignment with who you really are, or chasing someone else’s version of success?

Your GO-TO LINK for all things Brick and Mortar Visibility-: Level UP : Your Business, Your Life, Google Business Profile Workshop, Visibility Workshop, Hire Melissa, Newsletter, & Referral Partners.

Love today’s podcast? 🙌

1. Take a screenshot and share it to your IG stories. Tag me @brickandmortarvisibility
2. Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast!
3. Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast.

In 2009, Melissa Rose started her business, The Dancing House, in the basement of her home. There, she taught the art of dance to students of all ages while her babies were right along with her, in the pack and playing. With passion, resilience, and tenacity, she created a business that has become "The Highlight of Your Week" for her tribe, her team, and her community, along with running a successful brick-and-mortar business and an online dance membership.

When she’s not teaching pliés or hitting publish on a podcast, Melissa coaches other brick-and-mortar business owners to become the only option in town—using smart, sustainable SEO strategies like Google Business Profile optimization, blog content, and simple marketing systems that actually work. Off the clock? You’ll find her chasing her five amazing kids, hiking her favorite trails, or getting her hands dirty in the garden.

AI is everywhere—and your clients can tell when you’re using it. While that’s not necessarily bad, it has created a shift: people are more skeptical, less trusting, and craving something real.

This week, I’m talking about what that means for your marketing as a brick-and-mortar business owner—and why this is actually a massive opportunity.

We’ll cover:

• Why authenticity is your biggest marketing advantage right now
• How to meet your clients exactly where they are (instead of just telling them what you offer)
• Ways to make your marketing feel human without losing professionalism
• How showing up less curated can create more connection—and more sales

If you’ve been feeling like your marketing isn’t landing, this might be the shift you need.

🎧 Listen now and let’s talk about showing up real, raw, and ready to connect.

Your GO-TO LINK for all things Brick and Mortar Visibility-: Level UP : Your Business, Your Life, Google Business Profile Workshop, Visibility Workshop, Hire Melissa, Newsletter, & Referral Partners.

Love today’s podcast? 🙌

1. Take a screenshot and share it to your IG stories. Tag me @brickandmortarvisibility
2. Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast!
3. Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast.

In 2009, Melissa Rose started her business, The Dancing House, in the basement of her home. There, she taught the art of dance to students of all ages while her babies were right along with her, in the pack and playing. With passion, resilience, and tenacity, she created a business that has become "The Highlight of Your Week" for her tribe, her team, and her community, along with running a successful brick-and-mortar business and an online dance membership.

When she’s not teaching pliés or hitting publish on a podcast, Melissa coaches other brick-and-mortar business owners to become the only option in town—using smart, sustainable SEO strategies like Google Business Profile optimization, blog content, and simple marketing systems that actually work. Off the clock? You’ll find her chasing her five amazing kids, hiking her favorite trails, or getting her hands dirty in the garden.

What if letting go was the secret to leveling up?

This week, I’m sharing a raw, behind-the-scenes look at what happened when life forced me to step back—from my inbox, my to-do list, and even my studio. Between moving my home and performing in a ballet (yep, at almost 50 💃), I barely opened my laptop… and yet, my business had its biggest week ever.

Inside this episode, I’m breaking down:

✨ How delegating led to record-breaking results
✨ The mindset shift that helped me really trust my team
✨ Why studio owners often cling to “doing it all”—and how to stop
✨ 3 simple ways to start letting go without everything falling apart
✨ What freedom really looks like when you run a studio on your terms

If you’ve been trying to grow your studio while carrying the entire business on your back—this is your sign to loosen the grip.

Because when you stop doing it all yourself, that’s when real growth happens.

🔥 Ready for accountability and smart strategy to help you delegate, grow, and actually enjoy your business?
Check out LEVEL UP —the mastermind for studio owners who are done doing it alone.

Your GO-TO LINK for all things Melissa Rose-: Level UP : Your Business, Your Life, Google Business Profile Workshop, Visibility Workshop, Hire Newsletter, & Referral Partners.

Love today’s podcast? 🙌

1. Take a screenshot and share it to your IG stories. Tag me @brickandmortarvisibility
2. Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast!
3. Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast.

In 2009, Melissa Rose started her business, The Dancing House, in the basement of her home. There, she taught the art of dance to students of all ages while her babies were right along with her, in the pack and playing. With passion, resilience, and tenacity - she created a business that has become "The Highlight of Your Week" for her tribe, her team, and her community, along with running a successful brick-and-mortar business and an online dance membership.

When she’s not teaching pliés or hitting publish on a podcast, Melissa coaches other brick-and-mortar business owners to become the only option in town—using smart, sustainable SEO strategies like Google Business Profile optimization, blog content, and simple marketing systems that actually work. Off the clock? You’ll find her chasing her five amazing kids, hiking her favorite trails, or getting her hands dirty in the garden.

If you're a studio owner who’s tired of spinning your wheels on social media and wondering how to actually get more clients in the door… this episode is your roadmap.

I'm pulling back the curtain on the one strategy that changed everything for me: SEO.

As a single mama of five (yes, five!) running a local brick-and-mortar business, I needed a marketing strategy that worked while I worked—and even when I didn’t. So I doubled down on optimizing my Google Business Profile and creating content that kept me visible and trusted in my community.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why SEO is your best friend as a studio owner
• How I started (imperfectly!) back in 2016 and never looked back
• What you can do TODAY to attract more of the right clients, with less hustle
• How visibility fits into building a studio that works for your life

And if you're ready for accountability, strategy, and a no-fluff community to grow with—check out my LEVEL UP mastermind. Because running a studio shouldn't mean running yourself ragged.

Your GO-TO LINK for all things Melissa Rose-: Level UP : Your Business, Your Life, Google Business Profile Workshop, Visibility Workshop, Hire Newsletter, & Referral Partners.

Love today’s podcast? 🙌

1. Take a screenshot and share it to your IG stories. Tag me @brickandmortarvisibility
2. Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast!
3. Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast.

In 2009, Melissa Rose started her business, The Dancing House, in the basement of her home. There, she taught the art of dance to students of all ages while her babies were right along with her, in the pack and playing. With passion, resilience, and tenacity - she created a business that has become "The Highlight of Your Week" for her tribe, her team, and her community, along with running a successful brick-and-mortar business and an online dance membership.

Melissa's also a visibility coach and consultant for other local brick + mortar businesses. Providing direction by leveraging SEO best practices, encompassing Google Business Profile optimization, blog writing, and email/text campaigns. When not inspiring or empowering, Melissa's a mama of five kiddos, enjoys long hikes and playing in her garden.

In this episode of the Brick and Mortar Visibility Podcast, we’re stepping beyond the studio and into the world of boutique retail. Whether you're running a Pilates, yoga, or music studio—or any class-based business—there’s a good chance you’re also selling something on the side. From merch to gear, retail is a powerful revenue stream, and it’s time we treat it like one.

Our guest, Sarah Kowal, knows this firsthand. She went from broke to building two thriving businesses and now mentors and markets for retail brands nationwide. Sarah shares her real-talk wisdom on marketing for small businesses, particularly those running brick-and-mortar or boutique retail operations.

Plus, we kick off the episode with a quick check-in about Profit First—because it’s Q3, and if you’re following the method, it’s time to take that 50% profit and celebrate your progress!

Tune in to hear:

• Why boutique retail deserves a real marketing strategy
• Simple shifts to increase your retail sales
• How to think like a retailer inside your service-based biz
• A dose of inspiration from Sarah’s journey and hard-won lessons

🎧 Press play to learn how to make your boutique retail space more profitable—without the overwhelm.

More about our guest:
An entrepreneur, Sarah Kowal went from broke-a$$ to owning two successful businesses. She has spoken at numerous business forums (various chambers of commerce, the MN Retailers Association, other business groups, and as a mentor with Twin Cities SCORE) and serves as a judge, mentor, and marketer for business pitch competitions. She has made a difference for thousands of entrepreneurs. Her startup, WeatherVane Creamery, was recognized by the American Cheese Society for its innovation in dairy retail. She hustled to generate funding from over 70 private individuals, pitched to Howard Shultz of Starbucks (and over 10,000 Starbucks shareholders!), and generated a ton of media coverage, including FOX Morning News. Currently, she is the Founder and Master Biz Hacker of Project Biz Lab, an online business academy, and Owner/Operator of InSIGHTful Low Vision, LLC, a boutique marketing agency.

Your GO-TO LINK for all things Melissa Rose-: Level UP: Your Business, Your Life, Google Business Profile Workshop, Visibility Workshop, Newsletter, Referral Partners, and more.

Love today’s podcast? 🙌

1. Take a screenshot and share it to your IG stories. Tag me @brickandmortarvisibility
2. Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast!
3. Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast.

In 2009, Melissa Rose started her business, The Dancing House, in the basement of her home. There, she taught the art of dance to students of all ages while her babies were right along with her, in the pack and playing. With passion, resilience, and tenacity - she created a business that has become "The Highlight of Your Week" for her tribe, her team, and her community, along with running a successful brick-and-mortar business and an online dance membership.

Melissa's also a visibility coach and consultant for other local brick + mortar businesses. Providing direction by leveraging SEO best practices, encompassing Google Business Profile optimization, blog writing, and email/text campaigns. When not inspiring or empowering, Melissa's a mama of five kiddos, enjoys long hikes and playing in her garden.

Think SEO is only for the big-budget brands? Think again.

In this episode of the Brick and Mortar Visibility Podcast, I’m joined by SEO strategist Jade Pruitt, who’s flipping the script on what local search optimization really looks like for studio owners like you.

We’re talking:

• Why SEO doesn’t have to cost thousands (really)
• Where to start if you’re DIY-ing it—and how to avoid the common overwhelm
• How Jade helps studios dominate search results without a giant marketing budget
• And the ridiculously generous offer she drops at the end of the episode (no, seriously—don’t miss it)

I’m stepping away from SEO consulting to go all-in on my Level UP program—and Jade is the expert I trust to take the reins. She gets studio life, understands what matters locally, and is leading the charge on integrating AI into modern SEO.

If you’ve ever felt like SEO is out of reach, this is the episode that will change your mind.

🎧 Plus: Grab my free Google Business Profile Workshop to make sure your studio shows up where it counts most—on Google.

A bit about Jade Pruett: A leader in the SEO world, the founder of HelloSEO and SEO specialist, Jade Pruett. Jade has pioneered strategies that streamline workflows, amplify client outcomes, and foster human connections in business. With over a decade of expertise in navigating and leveraging Google’s algorithm to help hundreds of brands and businesses gain visibility and connect with their ideal clients, she has also created influential SEO strategies for CNN, Business Insider, and notable SaaS brands.

Jade is also a mentor at Columbia’s tech incubator, the Boyd Center, as well as an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business. Jade also shares her forward-thinking approach to integrating AI into SEO by leading AI workshops.

Your GO-TO LINK for all things Melissa Rose-: Level UP: Your Business, Your Life, Google Business Profile Workshop, Visibility Workshop, Newsletter, Referral Partners, and more.

Love today’s podcast? 🙌

1. Take a screenshot and share it to your IG stories. Tag me @brickandmortarvisibility
2. Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast!
3. Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast.

In 2009, Melissa Rose started her business, The Dancing House, in the basement of her home. There, she taught the art of dance to students of all ages while her babies were right along with her, in the pack and playing. With passion, resilience, and tenacity - she created a business that has become "The Highlight of Your Week" for her tribe, her team, and her community, along with running a successful brick-and-mortar business and an online dance membership.

Melissa's also a visibility coach and consultant for other local brick + mortar businesses. Providing direction by leveraging SEO best practices, encompassing Google Business Profile optimization, blog writing, and email/text campaigns. When not inspiring or empowering, Melissa's a mama of five kiddos, enjoys long hikes and playing in her garden.

Hey there, studio owner. Let’s talk about something that can make or break your business—your team.⁠

Now, if you’ve ever hired someone, handed them a task, crossed your fingers and thought, “I hope this works out…”—this episode is for you.

Because hope is not a strategy.

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the exact framework I use to onboard new team members—from teachers to admin—and how I set them up for success from day one. I’ll share how we measure growth, create momentum, and yes…how we gently level up expectations as your business grows.

Whether you’re hiring for the first time or realizing it’s time to get more intentional with the team you already have—this episode will give you the steps to create a team that not only performs, but thrives.

And if you want support putting this into action, that’s exactly what we do inside my Level UP Mastermind—so stay tuned till the end for more on that.

Let’s get into it.

Your GO-TO LINK for all things Melissa Rose-: Level UP : Your Business, Your Life, Google Business Profile Workshop, Visibility Workshop, Hire Newsletter, & Referral Partners.

Love today’s podcast? 🙌

1. Take a screenshot and share it to your IG stories. Tag me @brickandmortarvisibility
2. Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast!
3. Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast.

In 2009, Melissa Rose started her business, The Dancing House, in the basement of her home. There, she taught the art of dance to students of all ages while her babies were right along with her, in the pack and playing. With passion, resilience, and tenacity - she created a business that has become "The Highlight of Your Week" for her tribe, her team, and her community, along with running a successful brick-and-mortar business and an online dance membership.

Melissa's also a visibility coach and consultant for other local brick + mortar businesses. Providing direction by leveraging SEO best practices, encompassing Google Business Profile optimization, blog writing, and email/text campaigns. When not inspiring or empowering, Melissa's a mama of five kiddos, enjoys long hikes and playing in her garden.