Dance for Life Suicide Prevention - Kristin Barlow

Team Subkit -

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kristin Barlow, Founder of Dance for Life Suicide Prevention & Good Mental Health, located in Davenport, FL, USA.

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

Our mission is to bring awareness and eliminate mental health stigma by providing more access to mental health services and developing preventive measures to reduce the risk of suicide in our communities, including at-risk and less-privileged children, teens, and adults.

Through the proven therapeutic properties of dance, mental health workshops, media resources, partnerships, podcasts, blogs, government programs & events as tools to help deal with mental health challenges such as bullying, stress, anxiety, isolation, inclusiveness, loneliness, perfectionism, depression & dementia while learning to love self and celebrate life!​

Tell us about yourself

I am Kristin Barlow, I started Ballet, Etc. Dance Studio in Oakley, California, in 1990 after intensive study of ballet, jazz, and tap at the University of Utah and Janet Gray Dance Studio in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I sold the studio relocating to Brigham City, Utah, in 1996, where I founded Starlite Express Dance Academy and Turning Pointe Ballet Company. In 2011, I purchased a property in Perry to be the new home of Starstruck Dance & Performing Arts. I renovated the Brigham City studio to be the new home of Dream Pointe Ballet Company.

In 2018, I founded Dance for Life Suicide Prevention & Good Mental Health non-profit to bring awareness & provide good mental health programs to Utah & beyond. I believe dance can be used for the greater good by uniting the dance world & giving all the opportunity to receive the therapeutic benefits of dance to help strengthen society - individuals and families.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Growing my business into two locations over 30 years.

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

Perfectionism - I am a perfectionist and want everything to run smoothly and with efficiency all of the time. Still, when you delegate to others, they don't have the passion or skin in the game like the owner does and sometimes fall short of what is expected.

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

  1. Be creative - do things uniquely and differently than competitors.
  2. Be confident your service or selling of goods is desired and needed.
  3. Find competent people who share your vision to help you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.danceforlifenation.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danceforlifehope/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danceforlifehope/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristinBarlow11
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-barlow-a8592982/

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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