What competitions never teach you about contracts, casting, leverage, and long-term careers

A Skating CEO guide

READ THIS FIRST

Most skaters enter show skating blind.

They train for years, land difficult elements, and assume talent alone will protect them. Then they accept their first contract without understanding pay structures, rehearsal demands, casting dynamics, or how quickly bad decisions can shorten a career.

This guide exists so skaters do not have to learn everything the hard way.

Everything inside comes from lived experience.

Not theory.

Not rumours.

Not social media advice.

If you are:

• A competitive skater considering shows
• A young professional looking for your first contract
• A working show skater trying to avoid burnout or exploitation

Read this before your next audition or contract.

WHAT SHOW SKATING ACTUALLY IS

Show skating is not competition without judges.