2008 - I made the announcement that I was opening a studio after doing independent contract work for years and years and years
2012 - That promise is now fulfilled
This hasn't been easy by any stretch of the imagination. When I made that announcement here at RF 4 years ago, I had every intention of completing it and being a woman of my word. I didn't expect it to take 4 years, but better late than never, and all before I turn 40 in October.
I started off interning at a local Ballet conservatory in management, continued to expand my resume in performance in St. Louis, taught at 2 different universities, accepted an offer by a corporate conglomerate to promote each other's talents, waited tables again in my off time, submitted my business plan to 10 different banks and watching all of them decline my request for lines of credit, saved up enough money to establish my business as an LLC and register with the state, acquired my tax EIN, continued teaching, continued teaching, and worked jobs until I'm here staring at the studio, it's floors, it's mirrors, it's staff members looking right back at me.
There's a buzz around the area, from all around St. Louis to the Illinois side. People are talking, and I'm realizing that all this time pounding the pavement and establishing my network of people has helped. I also realize that it's critical that I continue to expand my network.
The local paper will be running two separate stories. One is my return to the city I know and love to open a studio after decades of stage experience. It'll be half a personal story and half a feature story on the studio, it's mission statement, and how it's unique from other studios in the area. The other story which will be run in August is to feature the first semi-professional dance performance that is set to open in October 2012, and the theme of the show is focused on cardiac health and stroke awareness.
I'm still teaching at one of the local universities. I still get up on stage every now and then, but my time is now dedicated to having a single place for all that I've set out to do.....create opportunities for excellent dance performance for both performer and audience member, productions that impact the viewer and begin an unspoken conversation on the poetry of life, and stand for healthy dancers making a solid living wage.
I've taken responsibility for employees, paid them when I have nothing left over for me, and now overwhelmingly appreciate the support my family gives me. I haven't been the only one that has sacrificed, they have too. My family, my vendors, my employees, my patrons, my students.....I'm overcome with gratitude for all who believe in the studio's mission. I'm overcome since this is not just my dream anymore. The dream has grown to include so many people now.
And now we're just beginning the next leg of the journey. Thank you to everyone here at RF who have supported the idea since it's announcement in 2008. Thank you to the continued support, encouragement, and advice from all who have been there and done that. I'm literally the luckiest woman alive to have you in my life.
2012 - That promise is now fulfilled
This hasn't been easy by any stretch of the imagination. When I made that announcement here at RF 4 years ago, I had every intention of completing it and being a woman of my word. I didn't expect it to take 4 years, but better late than never, and all before I turn 40 in October.
I started off interning at a local Ballet conservatory in management, continued to expand my resume in performance in St. Louis, taught at 2 different universities, accepted an offer by a corporate conglomerate to promote each other's talents, waited tables again in my off time, submitted my business plan to 10 different banks and watching all of them decline my request for lines of credit, saved up enough money to establish my business as an LLC and register with the state, acquired my tax EIN, continued teaching, continued teaching, and worked jobs until I'm here staring at the studio, it's floors, it's mirrors, it's staff members looking right back at me.
There's a buzz around the area, from all around St. Louis to the Illinois side. People are talking, and I'm realizing that all this time pounding the pavement and establishing my network of people has helped. I also realize that it's critical that I continue to expand my network.
The local paper will be running two separate stories. One is my return to the city I know and love to open a studio after decades of stage experience. It'll be half a personal story and half a feature story on the studio, it's mission statement, and how it's unique from other studios in the area. The other story which will be run in August is to feature the first semi-professional dance performance that is set to open in October 2012, and the theme of the show is focused on cardiac health and stroke awareness.
I'm still teaching at one of the local universities. I still get up on stage every now and then, but my time is now dedicated to having a single place for all that I've set out to do.....create opportunities for excellent dance performance for both performer and audience member, productions that impact the viewer and begin an unspoken conversation on the poetry of life, and stand for healthy dancers making a solid living wage.
I've taken responsibility for employees, paid them when I have nothing left over for me, and now overwhelmingly appreciate the support my family gives me. I haven't been the only one that has sacrificed, they have too. My family, my vendors, my employees, my patrons, my students.....I'm overcome with gratitude for all who believe in the studio's mission. I'm overcome since this is not just my dream anymore. The dream has grown to include so many people now.
And now we're just beginning the next leg of the journey. Thank you to everyone here at RF who have supported the idea since it's announcement in 2008. Thank you to the continued support, encouragement, and advice from all who have been there and done that. I'm literally the luckiest woman alive to have you in my life.
