Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in dance education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cassie Laas, Owner of Dance Garage LLC., located in Cedar Rapids, IA, USA.

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

We are a dance studio for everyBODY. We just want to dance and truly believe that every BODY is capable of doing so. Our clients are anyone who wants to dance with any ability; however, most of our classes are for those 18 and older.

Tell us about yourself

We first met at another dance studio that closed due to COVID and financial strain. One of our co-owners, Suellen, reached out and asked if we wanted to dance in her garage. Dancing had been a major part of her life and an outlet for daily stressors, and when it no longer existed, she felt a major void. Her husband was a large part of why we opened our own Dance Garage as well as if we missed dancing this much, others surely were too. We just want to dance, and we created a space in order to do just that! Daily motivation comes from knowing how powerful dance is on so many levels... physical, mental, and emotional, and how it brings people together. If you have experienced the power of dance, you know. And if you haven't yet, we're here for you!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We turned two on Oct 1 this year!!! That is a major milestone. They say if you can reach your third year as a small business, it will be your growth year. Also, while social media is not the end-all-be-all, it is kind of fun that we made it big on TikTok last year. It sparked conversations with those who want to dance around the world. It also got us to start the option for virtual classes. We are so glad to have made it to year three and to be able to dance with not only each other but to bring that to our local community and beyond! We have danced with others from Iowa outside of Cedar Rapids, Florida, Wisconsin, Indiana, Maryland, and California so far. We truly love how dance brings people together.

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

We truly jumped in with two feet, a huge passion for dance, and decided to just go for it. We had a lot of verbal support when we were talking with our friends about our plan to keep dancing in the community. We opened during a pandemic, and that has caused many of its own hurdles, including attendance, even from our big initial supporters. Derecho hit Cedar Rapids HARD, and right when we were attempting to get building supplies. Finally, the lives of our five co-owners changed drastically from opening day to now, including, but not limited to, major career changes, kids going to college, and now breast cancer. None of those things were foreseen, and they've added additional stressors to opening a brand new business.

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

  1. Save money first. Finances are some of the biggest struggles you will have, and you won't want it to be one of the stressors that dampen the joy of you following your dreams.
  2. Promote, promote, and promote before opening. Get the signs, get the social media up and running, and tease the heck out of people so they know you're coming.
  3. Celebrate the little things, know your vibe will attract your people, and ENJOY the business you have decided is so necessary that you are the one to share it with others!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.dancegaragellc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crdancegarage/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crdancegarage/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crdancegarage

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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