After joining Self-Employment Assistance, Jess learned the foundations needed to turn her vision into a growing community enterprise.
When Jess joined Workforce Australia’s Self-Employment Assistance, delivered through provider APM Employment Services in May 2025, her dance school existed only as an idea.
While she had the passion and industry expertise needed to teach dance, she wanted support to build a strong and sustainable business.
Building strong business foundations
After joining Self-Employment Assistance, Jess focused on developing a stronger understanding of the financial aspects of running a dance school. Through the program she developed skills in cashflow management, budgeting and planning for major expenses such as costumes and end-of-year concerts.
The guidance helped Jess create a business model that balanced affordability for local families while delivering a high-quality experience for students every term.
Growing alongside community demand
Since launching, Jess has rapidly expanded her business while maintaining a strong focus on quality, organisation and student experience.
Through careful planning and structured scheduling, she has grown the business from 13 classes per week to more than 22 classes. Jess has also successfully coordinated more than 350 costumes for student performances, managing the complex logistics that come with staging dance events and concerts.
Jess’s ability to adapt to growing demand while maintaining high standards has been a key driver of the business’s success.
Looking ahead, she plans to continue creating opportunities for young dancers across her local community while growing a business built on strong values, community connection and a passion for helping people thrive.
With a growing student base and a clear vision for the future, Jess’s story demonstrates how careful planning, hard work and the right support can transform a business idea into a thriving community enterprise.
More information
Self-Employment Assistance helps eligible people turn their ideas or existing businesses into a viable and scalable business venture. The support available includes:
- Exploring Self-Employment Workshops
- Business Plan Development
- Accredited Small Business Training
- Business Advice Sessions
- Business Health Checks
- Small Business Coaching
Have a business idea but don’t know where to start? Looking to improve your business but need advice and guidance? Make sure you check out the following support provided by Workforce Australia’s Self-Employment Services: