In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down a tough question every cheer gym owner eventually faces: when should you fire a customer and end the relationship? Dan shares why he’s not a fan of the “Bye Felicia” mentality, but also explains the two situations where letting someone go is not only justified—it’s necessary to protect your business, staff, and gym culture.
You’ll learn how to handle:
Nonpayment and why allowing multiple missed months creates a hole most families can’t climb out of
Culture and values misalignment, including gossip, public negativity, and rumor-spreading that poisons trust
When to have a sit-down conversation vs. when it’s time to part ways
How to set clear expectations so you don’t enable entitlement or inconsistency
Why educating new families (and re-educating long-time ones) prevents problems before they escalate
If you’re a cheer gym owner, director, or program manager, this episode gives you a clear framework to protect your culture, enforce standards with professionalism, and make the hard decision the right way.
