Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Danielle Levsky of The Sacred Fool: Clown Workshops & Performances, located in San Diego, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a certified clown teacher (The Clown School) and have taught classes in San Diego, Chicago, and in the virtual world. In my classes, students get in touch with their vulnerability, find joy in failure, and re-discover their inner child. I infuse Jewish humor into my teaching, as well as my performance and writing. Raised by a family of Soviet Jewish refugees, humor was the primary coping mechanism in my family, as well as experiencing and participating in all art forms. Being inspired by TV and film humorists like Sarah Silverman, Bette Midler, Joan Rivers, and also the women in her family, I created my most well-known clown persona, Baba Yana, the Soviet Jewish Grandma Clown. Baba Yana is a reflection of my faith, tradition, culture, diaspora, and of course, sense of humor. I also perform and produce physical theatre productions and cabarets around Southern California. Past collaborations have taken place at institutions like Diversionary Theatre (San Diego), The Conspirators (Chicago), Silent Theatre Company (Chicago), Prop Thtr (Chicago), and Alliance for Jewish Theatre (worldwide).
Tell us about yourself
I studied the art of teaching clowns, guided by the Clown School's Founding and Artistic Director, David Bridel. In my training, I examined the history of the clown, strove to understand the discipline deeply, studied exercises and learned their purpose, understood the fundamental principles and archetypes of clowning, identified current trends in the field, and developed my personal approach to teaching. Prior to gaining my certification, I trained with teachers from Cirque de Soleil, Theater Unspeakable, the Neo-Futurists, Viola Spolin's improvisational technique, the Ringling Brothers, and Commedia dell'arte master Antonio Fava.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I've developed two types of courses that are unique in methodology and subject matter:
In my course Clown and Traditions in Judaism, we learn about the history of humor in Jewish tradition, the spiritual symbol of the Holy Fool, the role of ritualism in clowning, and what clowning look like for the Jewish community in the 21st century through physical theatre exercises, story creation/adaptation, vigorous discussion, text questioning, and more hands-on learning.
In my Fool's Yoga classes, I combine the sacred and mindful practices of Clown with Yin Yoga, Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and Guided Meditation.
Through the lens of Clown, this class helps students with the following:
Being more emotionally in touch: By practicing and delving into basic emotions, we can gain a greater understanding of what emotions are challenging and why and investigate them with curiosity.
Learning to present the most authentic self: It can be hard not to wear a mask or present a certain version of ourselves when we are meeting new people and in new settings, especially in a retreat setting. Clown training can guide you in shedding the layers you use to hide your authentic self by encouraging you to reveal and revel in all facets of who you truly are!
Physicalizing the practice of mindfulness: Clown is a different approach to experiencing mindfulness; it works in practice and not in theory, as it allows you to embrace your emotions by embodying failure, embracing failure as a part of life, and, therefore, embracing all possibilities.
Public speaking: Speaking in front of large or small crowds, whether they are your friends or colleagues, can be quite challenging for many people. Even seasoned actors experience bouts of stage fright. Through Clown, learn to love your audience and see them as a partner in your presentation rather than a public that are apart from you.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Being your own secretary, marketing manager, accountant, strategist, and social media content creator. So many hats to wear and so little time! It's important to learn how to juggle and balance all the different responsibilities. Social media scheduling apps and Google email scheduling are some of my favorite tools to utilize.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Set up a realistic schedule for yourself to work on your business. Dedicate 5 hours a week to different components of the business: the product/what you're selling, marketing, accounting, partnerships, etc. Stay as consistent as possible with your schedule.
- Don't work on your business day and night. By setting up the aforementioned schedule, you give yourself time and space away from your business as a form of recuperation, inspiration, and work-life balance.
- Have patience. Growing yourself and letting the world know about what you're offering takes time. Keep in mind what got you into your business in the first place, and focus on this in every interaction and transaction, no matter how repetitive they may seem. Show yourself the kindness and encouragement you show others.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://criticturnedclown.squarespace.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellatheclown
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellatheclown/
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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