Bringing the Art of Dance to You - Chicago Loves Dance

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cindy Leske, Founder of Chicago Loves Dance, located in Chicago, IL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Chicago Loves Dance specializes in after-school enrichment and park programming directly in schools and parks all over the Chicagoland area, as well as kids' birthday parties in all locations (homes, parks, birthday venues, etc.).

Classes include hip hop, ballet, breakdance, yoga, cheerleading, and more! The main focus is youth programming but also offers adult and parent/child programs.

Tell us about yourself

I always loved teaching dance and saw a need for arts programming in schools. I wanted to spread our programs much further than I could with a studio space, so I knew going directly into schools would be much more rewarding. I’m motivated by how excited the kids are to take programs and watch them learn and grow more sure of themselves through the arts.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment, I would say, is the number of classes we run daily and knowing we are making a difference to hundreds of kids each day.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Making sure I have a great staff of teachers to rely on. I teach many classes daily myself, but in order to run programs in ten plus schools a day, I needed to make sure to have teachers that are just as enthusiastic and have a passion for teaching. I am very lucky to have amazing and talented teachers working with Chicago Loves Dance.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Make sure you LOVE what you do. If you have a passion for your business, you won’t feel as if it is work.
2. In order to grow to a large extent, you will need to rely on other people. This is hard to do, but my company couldn’t grow to its fullest potential if I didn’t bring on a team of excellent teachers to also teach for me.
3. Be thankful. It’s very easy to take things for granted, and if every day you are thankful to have the opportunity to share your company with others, you will be a success.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://www.chicagolovesdance.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLDANCE/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagolovesdance/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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