The Cheer Biz Podcast

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton shares his honest thoughts after attending D1 Summit for the first time as a coach after 10 years of competing at D2 Summit. Coming off a 2025 D2 Summit win in Senior Medium 4, Dan breaks down what it was like to move into the D1 world, what surprised him most, and how the experience compared to D2 Summit. He talks about the difference in team depth, the huge range in competitive ability, how brand-name gyms and franchise locations performed, and why the location within a brand often mattered just as much as the name on the uniform. Dan also shares lessons from his own teams’ performances, including missing finals because of a stunt fall, watching one team jump from wildcard to sixth place, and seeing firsthand how small execution details can separate first from fifth at D1 Summit. This episode is packed with insight for cheer gym owners, all star coaches, and program directors who want to understand the difference between D1 and D2 Summit, prepare their teams for higher-level competition, and think differently about execution, culture, cost, and end-of-season strategy.

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down a problem that hits cheer gyms every year: the post-tryout and summer dip in class enrollment. Right before tryouts, classes, privates, and skill work are booming. Athletes are trying to get ready, parents are motivated, and gyms feel busy. But once tryouts are over, many families pause, drop classes, or disappear for the summer — creating a revenue dip that can catch gym owners off guard. Dan shares practical strategies to help cheer gym owners protect enrollment, retain class athletes, and build revenue through the summer months. He explains why you should keep building interest lists even when classes are full, how to use summer camps and skill clinics strategically, why athletes need post-tryout goals, and how flexible summer attendance policies can keep families enrolled longer. If you are a cheer gym owner, program director, or coach, this episode will help you plan ahead, reduce cancellations, keep classes full, and avoid getting blindsided by the summer slowdown.

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton reflects on the biggest lessons he learned during the 2025–2026 cheer season after nearly 25 years of coaching and 15 years of gym ownership. From launching a new branch of the business that did not go as planned, to giving staff faster and more direct feedback, to navigating the growing impact of AI, Dan shares honest lessons that every cheer gym owner and coach can learn from. He also dives into one of the biggest issues facing the cheer industry right now: the scoring crisis. With major score swings, inconsistent judging, and unclear feedback frustrating coaches and families, Dan explains why this matters and how it could impact the future of all star cheer. This episode is a must-listen for cheer gym owners, coaches, and program directors who want to grow as leaders, learn from mistakes, improve staff systems, and stay committed to building a stronger business and stronger teams.

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton shares the biggest red flags he has seen after 25 years of coaching cheerleading. From coaches blaming choreography or saying no athletes are ready to level up, to athletes cutting corners, parents talking negatively about other kids, and gym owners refusing to learn business, Dan breaks down the behaviors that quietly hurt teams, culture, and long-term success. This episode is part tough love, part leadership lesson, and part reality check for the entire cheer community. Dan explains why these warning signs matter, what they usually reveal underneath the surface, and how coaches, parents, athletes, and owners can use them as a chance to grow instead of getting defensive. If you are a cheer gym owner, coach, athlete, or parent, this episode will help you identify the patterns that create drama, limit progress, damage culture, and keep programs from reaching their potential.