15 Business Ideas For Dancers [2024]

Updated: July 28th, 2024

As a dancer, you have a unique set of skills that can open numerous entrepreneurial doors. Whether you're looking to share your expertise or branch out into new areas, there are exciting business opportunities tailored just for you. In 2024, the landscape is ripe for creative minds like yours to flourish.

You could start your own dance studio, creating a space for others to learn and grow. Or perhaps, you might explore offering online dance classes, capitalizing on the ever-growing virtual learning market. Additionally, selling dance-related merchandise could be another profitable avenue.

Don't limit yourself to traditional paths. You could also delve into choreography services or event planning, utilizing your skills in movement and coordination. Whatever direction you choose, your passion for dance can be the backbone of a successful business venture.

For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other dancer businesses to help you see what it takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)

Creating an online course is an excellent way for dancers to supplement their income or even start an entirely new side business. By sharing your expertise through digital classes, you can teach specific dance techniques, choreography, or even the business side of dance to a global audience. The flexibility of self-paced or cohort-based structures allows you to reach learners with different schedules, creating multiple streams of passive income. Check out how successful entrepreneurs have used online courses to generate revenue here.

Why start an online course?

  • Reach a global audience eager to learn dance from the comfort of their homes.
  • Leverage your existing knowledge to create a scalable income stream.
  • Provide value and inspire others, turning your passion into a rewarding business opportunity.

How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)

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2. Start an etsy shop ($47.5K/month)

Starting an Etsy shop as a dancer offers unique opportunities to monetize your creativity and passion. You could design and sell dance-related merchandise like apparel, accessories, or even custom choreography plans. It's not just a side hustle; it’s a chance to build your brand and connect with a dedicated community of dance enthusiasts. Check out our collection of successful Etsy seller stories for inspiration.

Why consider an Etsy shop?

  • You could easily reach a global audience by selling dance-themed products online.
  • Creating a visually appealing storefront could enhance your brand and attract new clients.
  • It allows you to diversify your income streams, adding financial stability while pursuing your dance career.

How much you can make: $100 — $750,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Started A $12K/Month Business Selling Productivity Planners Online

Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.

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3. Start a niche blog ($31.5K/month)

Starting a niche blog as a dancer allows you to share your passion and expertise with a targeted audience while simultaneously supplementing your income. You could focus on various aspects of dance, such as instructional guides, behind-the-scenes looks at performances, dance fashion, or even interviews with other professionals in the industry. By creating unique and engaging content, your blog could attract followers and brands interested in partnerships and sponsorships, opening up multiple revenue streams.

For more information on how niche blogs can be profitable, visit Starter Story.

Why start a niche blog?

  • A niche blog lets you monetize your dance knowledge and experience by reaching a passionate and engaged audience.
  • Blogging provides opportunities for brand collaborations and sponsorships, allowing you to generate extra income.
  • Sharing your dance journey and expertise can help establish you as an authority in the dance community, opening doors for additional opportunities like speaking engagements and workshops.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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4. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)

Starting a blog offers dancers an exciting opportunity to supplement their income or even establish a full-fledged business. By sharing insights, tutorials, and personal experiences in the dance world, you could build a dedicated audience while showcasing your expertise. This location-independent venture allows you to work creatively and flexibly, ensuring you reach your audience anytime, anywhere.

According to Optinmonster’s statistics, blogs are highly trusted, with 77% of internet users reading them. By capitalizing on this trend, dancers can create a sustainable side hustle or primary business through engaging and valuable content.

Why start a blog?

  • You’ll establish yourself as an authority in the dance community, attracting students, clients, and collaborators.
  • You’ll reach a broader audience, potentially turning your passion into a profitable endeavor.
  • You’ll benefit from a flexible schedule and the ability to work from anywhere, making it easier to balance dance commitments.

For more insights and tips on starting a successful blog, visit Starter Story.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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5. Start a yarn store ($257K/month)

Are you a dancer looking for a way to supplement your income while fostering a creative community? Starting a yarn store could be the perfect side business for you. This venture not only allows you to share your passion for fiber arts but also creates a cozy hub where creativity and camaraderie flourish. Imagine combining the discipline and creativity from your dance career with the joy of owning a space that brings people together.

With a yarn store, you could host weekly knitting circles, offer classes, and organize special events, building a loyal customer base while doing something you love. From selecting the perfect retail space to curating a diverse inventory, every step of this journey is an opportunity to engage with your local crafting community.

For more insightful tips on starting a yarn store, check out this comprehensive guide on how to start a yarn store.

Why consider starting a yarn store?

  • Complement your creative outlet. Sharing your passion for yarn allows you to indulge in a different form of artistry beyond dance.
  • Build a community. A yarn store can become a gathering place for enthusiasts, helping you foster connections and camaraderie.
  • Flexible and rewarding. This venture can be tailored to fit around your dance schedule, offering a balanced and fulfilling side hustle.

How much you can make: $13,000 — $500,000/month

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6. Start a home staging service

Starting a home staging service can be a lucrative venture for dancers. With the rise of online home selling, the demand for aesthetic, well-staged homes is increasing rapidly. As a dancer, you already have a keen eye for spatial arrangements and aesthetics, which are essential skills in home staging. You could leverage your creative background and exceptional attention to detail to transform homes into captivating spaces that appeal to potential buyers.

Why starting a home staging service?

  • You could use your natural talent for understanding space and movement to create visually engaging home environments.
  • Home staging offers flexibility and allows you to manage your schedule around your dance commitments.
  • This business is scalable, offering opportunities for growth as the demand for online home selling continues to rise.

For more insights, check out the startup costs involved in starting a home staging service.

7. Start a gear retail store ($20.3K/month)

As a dancer, starting a gear retail store can be an exciting venture that allows you to diversify your income while indulging in your passion for performance and physical activities. By offering specialized equipment and apparel for dance and related activities, you could create a niche store that caters directly to your community’s needs. This could provide a steady revenue stream, especially if you build strong relationships with suppliers and offer high-quality products that dancers trust and love.

Why launching a gear retail store?

  • Leverage your network: Use your connections within the dance community to market your store and reach potential customers easily.
  • Spot emerging trends: As a dancer, you’re in the loop on the latest must-haves and innovations, allowing you to stock items that others might miss.
  • Diversify income: Selling gear provides a way to earn money outside of performances and teaching, adding financial stability to your career.

Explore more about starting an online retail business, including tips and success stories, at Starter Story.

How much you can make: $500 — $40,000/month

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8. Start a video player software business

Starting a video player software business could be a unique and lucrative venture for a dancer. Given that dancers often require specialized software to review and analyze their performances, creating a video player tailored to their needs addresses a specific market gap. You could develop features like slow-motion playback, annotation tools, and custom playlists, making it an invaluable tool for other dancers, instructors, and choreographers.

Why start a video player software business?

  • You can create a tool that directly addresses the unique needs of dancers for performance review and analysis.
  • The niche market has specific requirements, making your product highly desirable and potentially reducing competition.
  • By using your insider knowledge of the dance community, you can more effectively market and tailor your software, enhancing its value and usability for fellow dancers.

9. Start an online retail store ($173K/month)

Starting an online retail store could be an excellent way for dancers to supplement their income while exploring their entrepreneurial side. Whether you're selling dancewear, accessories, or even self-made products such as custom dance shoes, you could leverage your understanding of the dance community to create a niche store tailored to dancers’ needs. With a computer, a domain, a web hosting service, and a bit of product research, you could launch your store seamlessly, reaching a global market without hefty upfront costs.

[Link: /ideas/online-retail-store-business/success-stories]

Why starting an online retail store?

  • You could reach a broad audience, making your niche products available to dancers worldwide.
  • It offers the flexibility to manage your business while continuing your dance career.
  • Leveraging your expertise, you could create a trusted brand within the dance community.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

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10. Start a solar energy powered traffic control lights business

As a dancer, embarking on a solar energy powered traffic control lights business could offer a unique blend of sustainability and infrastructure improvement, tapping into the green energy movement while maintaining flexibility in your dance career. The burgeoning demand for eco-friendly solutions in urban planning provides a lucrative opportunity to diversify your income, offering financial stability so you can continue pursuing your passion for dance without compromise. Leveraging your creativity and discipline from dancing, you could develop innovative and efficient traffic control systems that serve the public good and keep your entrepreneurial spirit alive.

Learn more about the costs and benefits of starting a solar energy powered traffic control lights business here.

Why consider starting a solar energy powered traffic control lights business?

  • You could stabilize your income with high-demand, sustainable technology while dancing remains your passion.
  • You could create a flexible work schedule that complements your performance and practice commitments.
  • Combining creativity from dance and technical innovation in solar energy could lead to a fulfilling, socially impactful venture.

11. Start a crab farming business

Dancers often have a flexible schedule and a unique drive for new ventures, making a crab farming business an intriguing option. This side hustle not only provides a steady stream of additional income but also creates a balance between the physically demanding art of dance and a more relaxing, nature-oriented business. With a bit of initial investment and proper planning, your crab farm could thrive alongside your dancing career.

Why venture into crab farming?

  • You could leverage the flexible hours to manage both your dance practices and your farm.
  • Financial stability from a second income stream removes some of the stress of inconsistent dance gigs.
  • Engaging in a calm, nature-oriented activity balances the intensity and hustle of a dancer's life.

For more details on starting a crab farming business, check out crab farming startup costs.

12. Start a start to finish timelapse videos business

Creating start-to-finish timelapse videos is a powerful way to showcase the discipline, effort, and artistry that goes into a dancer's performance. As a dancer, you could utilize this business idea to document your practice and performances, offering a behind-the-scenes look that can captivate and engage your audience. Building a timelapse video business not only allows you to monetize your passion but also enhances your personal brand and visibility in the dance community.

By crafting compelling timelapse videos, you open up multiple revenue streams, such as selling exclusive video content or partnering with sponsors. For more guidance on costs and planning, visit the startup costs page on Starter Story.

Why starting a start to finish timelapse videos business?

  • It highlights the unseen hard work and progression in your dance practice, making your journey relatable and inspiring.
  • You can create a personal and unique brand by providing exclusive insights that can't be duplicated.
  • Timelapse videos have a broad appeal and can be monetized through platforms like YouTube, social media collaborations, and sponsorships.

13. Start a vulcanizing shop business

Starting a vulcanizing shop business might not seem like an obvious choice for a dancer, but it offers a unique opportunity to supplement your income and create a stable side business. With the flexibility of dance schedules, especially for freelance or gig-based dancers, you could manage a part-time vulcanizing shop to support your artistic endeavors. Additionally, the technical skills required for vulcanizing can provide a creative outlet that complements your artistic side while ensuring a reliable financial backup.

Why consider starting a vulcanizing shop business as a dancer?

  • Flexible schedule: Vulcanizing services can be appointment-based, allowing you to work around your dance commitments.
  • Steady income: Running a vulcanizing shop can provide a consistent revenue stream to support your passion for dance.
  • Diversify your skills: Balancing dance with a technical trade can broaden your skill set and open up new opportunities.

Explore more about getting started with a vulcanizing shop business here.

14. Start a burial at sea service business

Combining your skills as a dancer with a burial at sea service business might seem unconventional, but it represents a unique synergy for income generation. Dancers are often celebrated for their grace, emotional depth, and ability to create memorable experiences. These traits could seamlessly transfer to conducting meaningful and emotionally impactful sea burial ceremonies, offering clients a heartfelt final farewell for their loved ones.

Starting a burial at sea service business, particularly for a dancer, offers a niche yet potentially rewarding entrepreneurial path. This business can serve as a complementary income stream, allowing you to use your innate ability to connect emotionally with an audience in a completely new setting. For step-by-step guidance, visit Starter Story for additional inspiration on how to begin your burial at sea service business.

Why starting a burial at sea service business?

  • You could use your performance art skills to create deeply moving and personalized ceremonies, enhancing the service's emotional impact.
  • This niche market has relatively low competition, making it easier to establish a unique brand and secure clientele.
  • It allows for flexible working hours, making it an ideal side business that you can balance with dance engagements.

15. Start a garage business

Starting a garage business could be an exciting and lucrative way to leverage your dance skills while supplementing your income. As a dancer, you could transform your garage into a versatile studio space, offering private lessons, workshops, or even small group classes. Additionally, you could use the space to create and record online dance tutorials, capitalizing on the growing demand for virtual learning opportunities. By maximizing the flexibility of a garage setup, you could maintain a low overhead while growing your brand and client base locally or even globally.

Why consider a garage business?

  • You could maintain low overhead costs by utilizing a space you already have, allowing for higher profit margins.
  • Offering private lessons or small classes from your garage helps build a close-knit community and fosters strong client relationships.
  • Using your garage as a recording studio for online tutorials opens up passive income streams, reaching a wider audience with minimal additional investment.

For more insights on creating a garage business, check out Starter Story's guide on startup costs for a garage business.

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.