For some franchisees, the journey starts with a business opportunity, but for Amanda Scott, becoming a franchisee with Twinkle Star Dance™ Academy was years in the making. By Shelby Green
From Student to Studio Owner
For some franchisees, the journey starts with a business opportunity, but for Amanda Scott, becoming a franchisee with Twinkle Star Dance™ Academy was years in the making.
“I have a unique connection with Twinkle Star Dance,” Scott said. “I started dancing for Tiffany Henderson, the founder, when I was only 9 years old in her garage before her first studio was finished being built.”
That childhood passion turned into a career when Scott returned post-college in 2011 to teach and manage within the organization, gaining firsthand experience in what makes a studio successful. By 2012, she was helping studio owners across the U.S., Canada and Australia implement the Twinkle Star Dance Academy curriculum, deepening her operational expertise and reinforcing her long-term goal of ownership.
“I always knew I wanted to open my own studio,” she said. “So, when we started building out the franchise, I knew my studio would be a Twinkle Star Dance Academy because it had the branding, systems and proven model.”
That vision came to life in February 2026 with the opening of Scott’s Naperville, Illinois, location. While her initial goal was to enroll 30 to 40 students in the first month, she enrolled 60 dancers and was almost able to break even with additional revenue streams, like mini camps and dress code sales, helping to accelerate that early momentum. Scott emphasized the importance of the support the brand provided to help her be successful.
“Tiffany and Paul have been a tremendous support system, both personally and professionally,” she said. “I like to say I’ve had a master class in studio ownership because I’ve experienced being a dancer, employee and now franchisee.”
Looking ahead, Scott and her husband, Adam, plan to grow by opening several more Twinkle Star Dance Academy locations throughout the Chicagoland area. With early success and positive community engagement in Naperville, she sees an opportunity to expand while continuing to create a joyful, impactful experience for families.
“There’s never a perfect time to open, but there’s always a new wave of families and young children ready to be part of something,” Scott said. “What’s made the biggest difference is having a strong network of franchise owners who are constantly sharing ideas and supporting each other along the way.”
Shelby Green