We were lucky to catch up with Lacey Ingersoll recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lacey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

Yes, I am happier as a business owner. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. It doesn’t mean I don’t occasionally romanticize the idea of clocking in, clocking out, and leaving the weight of the decisions on someone else’s desk.

The last time I had that thought was late at night in the studio. It was quiet, the kind of quiet that only comes after a long rehearsal week. The mirrors were streaked, there was rosin dust on the floor, costumes were piled in labeled bins waiting to be sorted. I had payroll open on my laptop, emails still unanswered, and a list in my planner that felt longer than the hours in the day.

We’re in a season of transition. I’m buying the building from my grandpa, a building that holds almost 50 years of history for our town and for my family. It’s not just a business decision. It’s emotional. It’s legacy. It’s risk. And in that moment, when I was calculating numbers and thinking about repairs and paint and long term plans, I caught myself thinking, “It would be so much easier to just have a regular job.”

I imagined a predictable paycheck. I imagined weekends that were actually weekends. I imagined not carrying the responsibility of families, staff, and a building on my shoulders.

But then I thought about my own family.

Owning this business gives me something a traditional job might not. Flexibility. I can be at school events. I can adjust my schedule when my kids need me. I can build my work around their childhood while they’re still young. That is a gift I do not take lightly.

At the same time, the boundaries are harder. When you own it, it never fully turns off. I have to work intentionally to not bring the stress home with me. I have to choose to close the laptop. I have to be mindful to be present as a wife and as a mom, not mentally running through payroll or costume orders during dinner.

There are nights when I feel stretched thin. There are moments when I wonder if a simpler job would make balance easier.

But then I look around the studio and I see recital photos on the wall. I see the tiny tap shoes from our preschool program. I think about the high school senior who told me this studio is her safe place. I think about the moms who trust us with their kids every week. I think about my grandparents starting this from nothing.

And I realize something. The weight I feel is directly connected to the impact we’re making.

When you just have a regular job, you can leave it at the door. When you own something that’s tied to your heart, you carry it with you. The pressure is heavier, but so is the purpose.

I don’t actually want less responsibility. I want to grow into the kind of leader who can carry it well. I want to build something sustainable, something that honors where we came from and sets up the next generation. And I want my children to see what it looks like to work hard for something that matters.

So yes, I sometimes think about what it would be like to have a regular job. Usually when I’m tired. Usually when the numbers feel tight or the to do list feels endless.

But every single time, I come back to the same conclusion.

I am not just running a business. I am stewarding a legacy. And I am learning, every day, how to steward my family well at the same time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a second generation dance studio owner in a small Northern Michigan town. What makes that even more meaningful is that this isn’t just a business I started. It was built by my grandparents nearly 50 years ago. I grew up in the studio. I grew up watching classes from the hallway, helping with recital programs, and seeing firsthand what it means to pour your life into something that serves a community.

Dance was never just an extracurricular activity for me. It was home.

Over time, I fell in love not only with performing, but with teaching. I became deeply passionate about what dance can do for a child’s confidence, discipline, work ethic, and sense of belonging. Eventually I stepped into ownership, and now I am in the process of purchasing the building from my grandpa and fully carrying the legacy forward.

We offer recreational and competitive dance training for a wide range of ages, starting with preschool dancers and continuing through high school and even adult classes. Our classes include ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, musical theater, Celtic, Latin, acro, tumbling, and technical training programs focused on leaps, turns, and progressions. We also provide performance opportunities, intensives, and structured curriculum paths so dancers can grow year after year with clear development goals.

But what we really provide goes deeper than steps and choreography.

We provide a safe place.

We provide structure for kids who need it.
We provide confidence for kids who doubt themselves.
We provide mentorship during some of the most formative years of their lives.

One of the biggest problems I believe we solve is the need for belonging and guidance in an industry that can sometimes feel exclusive or intimidating. There has historically been favoritism and politics in parts of the dance world. I am passionate about creating an environment where work ethic matters more than who you know, where growth is celebrated, and where dancers understand that progress is earned.

We are intentional about building strong technique while also protecting the joy of dance. I never want a child to lose their love for movement because of pressure. At the same time, I believe in high standards, consistency, and clear expectations. You can have warmth and excellence in the same space.

What sets us apart is that we are deeply rooted in our community. Families trust us not just because of trophies or titles, but because of decades of consistency. Many of our current parents were once students themselves. That kind of generational trust cannot be manufactured. It is earned slowly over time.

I am most proud of the culture we are building. I am proud of the dancers who stay year after year. I am proud of the seniors who graduate not only as strong performers but as grounded young adults. I am proud that families feel safe walking through our doors.

I also want people to know that I am not trying to replicate what the dance industry used to be. I am trying to evolve it. I believe studios can be both competitive and kind. I believe leadership can be strong without being harsh. I believe you can honor tradition while still modernizing systems, curriculum, and business practices.

At the core, this brand is about legacy, integrity, and growth.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Absolutely. The Bible.

More than any business book or podcast, my management and entrepreneurial philosophy is shaped by Scripture.

It influences how I lead, how I make decisions, and how I treat people. Principles like stewardship, integrity, humility, consistency, and servant leadership are foundational in how I run the studio. I believe I am not the ultimate owner of anything. I am a steward of what has been entrusted to me, including this business, this building, this team, and these families.

The idea of stewardship has deeply shaped my thinking. I do not see the studio as something to exploit for quick growth or status. I see it as something to care for responsibly and grow sustainably. That affects how I handle finances, how I support my staff, and how I plan for the future.

Servant leadership is another core principle for me. Leadership is not about control or ego. It is about serving the people you are responsible for. That mindset shifts everything. It changes how I handle conflict. It changes how I mentor young dancers. It changes how I approach hard conversations.

The Bible also grounds me when entrepreneurship feels overwhelming. Owning a business comes with risk, uncertainty, and seasons where the numbers feel tight or the decisions feel heavy. My faith reminds me that my identity is not tied to revenue or public success. That gives me stability and clarity in moments that could otherwise feel consuming.

While I absolutely learn from business resources and industry leaders, the foundation underneath all of it is my faith. It shapes not only how I run a business, but why I run it the way I do.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think our reputation was built slowly, intentionally, and over decades of consistency.

First, there is the legacy. This studio has been part of our community for nearly 50 years. My grandparents built it on relationships and showing up year after year. That kind of longevity creates trust. In a small town, people pay attention to consistency. Families remember how they were treated.

But legacy alone is not enough. When I stepped into ownership, I knew I had to both honor what was built and raise the standard in new ways.

I believe our reputation has grown because we are clear about our expectations and consistent in how we operate. We communicate. We follow through. We handle issues directly instead of letting them fester. Parents may not always love every policy, but they respect transparency and structure.

Another big factor is culture. We work very hard to create an environment where dancers feel seen and valued. In an industry that has historically struggled with favoritism, I am intentional about rewarding work ethic, growth, and character. That does not mean we are perfect, but it does mean families know we are striving to be fair.

We also prioritize both excellence and kindness. I do not believe you have to choose between strong training and a healthy environment. Our dancers are pushed technically. They are corrected. They are challenged. But they are also encouraged and supported. Parents talk to each other. Dancers talk to each other. Word of mouth is powerful.

And finally, I think authenticity matters. I do not try to pretend that owning a business is effortless. I am honest about growth, about change, and about the fact that we are always improving. I show up. I am present. I am involved. In a world where many brands feel distant, being visible and accessible builds trust.

Reputation is not built in one big moment. It is built in hundreds of small interactions. How you answer an email. How you handle a complaint. How you speak to a child who is struggling. How you celebrate a senior.

Over time, those small moments become your name in the community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fitchdancecompany.com/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitchdancecompany23?igsh=cmtjZjIzcmpqNHIx&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Hqy6cXfCy/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: TikTok
  Personal: laceyloulou22
  Studio: fitchdancecompany

Image Credits

Amber Frashier