Performer Nikki Webster is among Australia’s dance studio founders struggling to recover from coronavirus bans. While business is picking up as restrictions ease, the financial battle is far from over.

By Sandra Fulloon

It’s hard to believe that all round performer Nikki Webster is just 33-years-old. The mother of two seems to have packed so much into her young life.

After rising to fame as a 13-year-old, starring at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics opening ceremony, Nikki went on to release pop singles, and perform in musicals around the world.

“I’m a really proud Aussie. So to represent my country on a global scale was an amazing experience,” she says with a wide smile.

The young entrepreneur also runs several dance studios with her brother Scott Webster, in Sydney and on the NSW Central Coast.

“It’s a small business and it’s a family run business,” Nikki explains taking a break from an afternoon workshop with teenagers.

“We run classes throughout the week with some incredible teachers, as well as myself and Scott.

“And we are all here to support the creativity of these young students as they train to become performers.”

Her students agree: “It’s really exciting to have Nikki [Webster] teaching us and being a role model because we get inspired by her,” student Bonnie Zheng told Small Business Secrets.

Nikki opened her first studio aged 21, and admits it was a bold move.

“Opening initially in 2008, we only had one branch and it was very daunting, but also very exciting.

“Owning a small business, it’s seven days a week and you never switch off. But it’s also a passion. But it takes a lot of hard work and determination and drive to keep building and progressing and being able to open up different branches.”

However, Nikki’s studios are among many impacted by coronavirus restrictions over the past year.

“March 2020 is probably a month nobody wants to remember, especially if you are running a small business,” she says.

I Lost My Gig Australia, a data capture initiative that quantifies the impact of the pandemic, estimates that cancelled events and concerts delivered a $345 million hit to the nation’s arts sector.

“To be told to close our doors, obviously for the right reasons, was just incredibly overwhelming,” Nikki says.

Like many other owner-operators, Nikki adapted to survive.

“Initially we lost around 80 per cent of our clients, and then we opened up online.

“We pre-recorded our dances, and then gave students live feedback, so that we were able to actually see how they were progressing,” she says.

“Many of the students connected with others online and have now become really close friends, which is awesome.”

However, some students chose not to continue.

“Slowly we’re getting more and more students back, but it’s still a journey,” she says. “While some studios have grown, others have not. It’s still just the unknown.”

However, she welcomes the return of major productions like Hamilton in 2021.

“It’s great to see live theatre coming back, it’s great.”

At her Leichardt studio, a group of teenagers is rehearsing a contemporary dance with live didgeridoo artists for an upcoming performance.

“I’ve invested back into our community as a small business because I’m a performer and I want to provide a safe space for these performers.

“We’re just grateful that we’re in such a wonderful country and we’re able to [manage coronavirus] as well as we are, so that we can continue to open our doors.”

Source: SBS