Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Uttara Vaidya, founder of Dance With Panache, located in Dania Beach, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I own a Latin and Ballroom dance school. My clients range anywhere from social dancers (who just want to dance for fun), wedding couples / father-daughter / mother-son getting ready for a wedding, to competitive ballroom dancers who need advanced Latin and athletic training.
Tell us about yourself
I started training in an Indian Classical Dance at the age of 9 back in India. But towards the end of my undergraduate degree, I developed an affinity for Latin music by listening to Enrique Iglesias :). I came to the US to pursue my Master's degree in Computer Science, and soon after graduating, I joined Salsa classes to start my Latin dance journey. It wasn't long before I decided to pursue Latin dancing more seriously and looked up a Ballroom Dance school and pursued a teacher training diploma. I got exposed to competitive ballroom dancing in the process, and there was no looking back. I always envisioned myself having some form of career in dancing, and I started training aggressively to become a professional ballroom dancer. In 2017, I decided to quit full-time corporate America to pursue dancing full-time and started my dance school in VA. I have been competing professionally for the past seven years (training for over 12 years), and there is still a lot to learn and grow.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Making a difference in my student's life and seeing their growth has been so deeply fulfilling. Every student that comes in to learn dance has a deeper need than just to learn dance. When I see students using their dance journey as a way to find and learn about themselves, I feel I have made a difference in their lives.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Constant volatility and being able to adapt to the changing market and seasons. Perseverance to keep going and finding creative ways to pivot as your interest and the markets change is one of the hardest things to keep up with.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Take that first step - however small it may be. This is where most people stop, in my experience.
- You don't have to give up everything to start a business. It can be explored and developed with your day job if you are willing to spend time outside of your day job for a little while (for me, it took ten years before I could / had the courage to quit my day job).
- Focus on the next step, not the end goal, while truly enjoying the journey and small wins that reminds you of how far you have come.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://dancewithpanache.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uttara.vaidya
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianballroomdancer/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uttara-vaidya/
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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