Nikki Girroir spent years teaching, choreographing, and mentoring dancers, but she had always envisioned something more. When the opportunity arose to take over the studio where she had been working, Nikki saw a chance to fully step into her vision. Studio ownership would allow her to make both creative and strategic decisions and to build a space that truly reflected her values and voice.
To prepare for the transition, Nikki reached out to the Maine SBDC for guidance. She connected with Business Advisor Christina Oddleifson, whose support made a lasting impact.
“Christina was the best mentor I could have asked for: smart, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable,” Nikki says. “She taught me so much and is a huge reason I have this business today.”
Christina guided Nikki through every stage of the purchase process, from initial planning and negotiation to the final closing. The experience provided Nikki not only with a strong technical foundation but also a trusted source of encouragement during a major career shift.
“I have no doubt that Nikki will excel as a business owner,” Christina says. “She is smart, talented, and asks all the right questions. It’s been a pleasure working with her to make this happen.”
Now the proud owner of The Dance Conservatory of Southern Maine in Sanford, Nikki leads a thriving community that offers dance classes for children and fitness classes for adults, all taught with energy, intention, and a focus on growth. The guiding principle of Nikki’s studio is “Empowering every dancer, shaping every dream.”
This vision is reflected in every class, rehearsal, and performance under her direction. The studio is also Southern Maine’s leading competition studio, with a team that competes throughout New England. Nikki’s choreography has earned numerous awards and national recognition, setting a high standard of excellence for both technique and performance.
Still, Nikki is the first to acknowledge that owning a business comes with a learning curve, especially when it comes to managing finances, expenses, and payroll.
Looking ahead, she hopes to grow the studio to 300 students in the next five years. But beyond expanding enrollment, her deeper goal is to create a space where dancers of all levels can build confidence, discipline, and joy in their craft.
To others considering entrepreneurship, Nikki offers a strong endorsement of the Maine SBDC: “They are the best at mentoring and guiding—I would highly recommend them.”