What kind of business owner would pay a new hire $2,000 to quit on their first day?
It sounds wild, right? But that’s exactly what the late Tony Hsieh of Zappos did – offering new team members money to leave if they weren’t truly aligned with the company’s values and mission.
Why?
Because he knew that culture isn’t something you write in a document. It’s something you live.
It’s in the way your team communicates. It’s in the effort you put into welcoming a new family. It’s in the choices your staff make when no one is watching.
It’s not about what you do – it’s about how and why you do it.
At Studio Evolution, we define culture as the soul of your studio. It’s the heartbeat behind every class, conversation, and decision.
And when you curate that culture with intention, you create a ripple effect that reaches far beyond enrolment numbers or lesson plans.
Just ask one of our Studio Evolution members, Melissa.
As part of her work in our recent Enchanting Experience pillar, Melissa created her own Culture Handbook – a living, breathing expression of “how we do things around here.” One of her favourite pieces of that project? A section she called Delivering Delight.
Melissa doesn’t just want her team to be great teachers. She wants them to truly see their studio families – to notice moments where kindness, support, or surprise could make a lasting impact. She encouraged her team to look for opportunities to go above and beyond.
And then something beautiful happened.
A mother in their baby class, who had recently been through an incredibly difficult and emotional health experience, received a thoughtful gift in the mail from the studio.
A simple gesture. A loving surprise. A moment of genuine care.
That mother later replied, overwhelmed with gratitude and moved to tears, saying how lucky she felt to be part of such a heartfelt and connected community. Not only that – she wanted to pay it forward to other mothers in need.
Melissa wrote to us saying, “THIS is what it’s all about. Yes, we teach music classes, but at the core, our deepest purpose is to nurture connection and inspire families.”:
Let that sink in for a moment. Because that?
That is culture in action.
Culture isn’t the poster on the wall or the values page on your website.
It’s the choice to notice someone’s pain and do something about it.
It’s the decision to treat your studio not just as a business, but as a community.
It’s the feeling your families carry home after class that stays with them far longer than any music note or dance step.
Melissa didn’t get lucky.
She designed this. She curated this.
And now, it runs through her studio like a golden thread – visible, tangible, and deeply felt.
As you build your own Culture Handbook, I want to encourage you to think beyond logistics. Think about the legacy.
What will your studio feel like for every family who walks through your door? What small, intentional actions can create big, unforgettable impact?
Because when you lead from the heart and articulate your vision with clarity, your culture becomes a compass, not just for your team, but for your whole community.
And that’s when your studio becomes more than a place to learn.
It becomes a place to belong.
ALL my best,
Chantelle
