Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Myers.
Amanda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started dancing when I was 4. My parents enrolled me in a local studio and eventually I started competing by the time I was 8 or 9. I ADORED the competition dance life. I wanted more of it. I started teaching & assisting when I was 16. I auditioned for several professional jobs when I turned 19 and landed one of my dreams. I moved to Orlando for a few years off and on where I eventually decided to move to Chicago! At the time I moved to Chicago, I was not teaching but instead worked in the hospitality field as front desk at the Ritz Carlton Chicago. That was a really cool job but it wasn’t where my heart was. I began searching for dance gigs on Craigslist and was accepted for quite a few. I came across a brand new studio opening and applied for the position available which later became my life. I opened the studio doors, practically ran it as my own only to realize after 4.5 years at this studio; it was time for me to open my own studio venture. In 2015, I opened the doors to my first studio and 2016 my second location! My parents have always supported my love for dance so I wanted to show them just how happy I am for the time and money spent on my lessons by making it a career. I also have a fantastic financial partner who is a great mentor business wise and an incredible advocate for anything kids can be involved in. With all of this support I have on my side, the possibilities are endless!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It most certainly has not been a smooth road but it’s okay, I survived! I had an instructor from my first studio start his own hip hop company while poaching students enrolled at my studio in his classes to dance on his team. I bought a second location from a well-known existing studio that just wanted to get out of the dance business to focus on family which I thought was sweet as well as a great business move on my part. I took over ownership in April 2016. Little did I know that one of the instructors that taught there who also has his own hip hop dance team would email my studio clients to recruit them to his team before informing me 3 weeks before the new dance year started that he would no longer be working with my studio. I lost so many students because of this. I even tried everything in my power to keep that instructor after all of that. I also had the desk lady from studio 1 quit on me 3 days before I left to visit my mother for cancer treatment. I mean, really? Do these people not have a heart? Do you understand that when you tell me, “It’s nothing personal”, it is extremely personal because it affects my personal finances and debts? Obviously, I was hurting financially but refused to let that define me. I cried, panicked and decided to accept this defeat and move on to focus on the sweet kids I did have left as well as the many new students I gained soon after. In case you were wondering, I very thoroughly revamped my non-compete contracts. The dance world is so much fun but incredibly competitive. You have to have a thick skin and a strong heart. Perseverance, that is what is important.
Precision Dance Project, The New Legacy – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
At Precision Dance Project, The New Legacy, we like to offer class to all ages, all levels in every style we can fit into the studio. If we do not currently offer it, we will find someone to teach what is being requested. We do not specialize in anything in particular as we offer everything. We offer birthday parties, wedding dance lessons as well as personal instruction or dancer/ routines for any special event. we rent our dance rooms to locals interested in the space when available, we are very involved in our local community and we even have a small dance wear boutique inside of our lobby and we are starting mini preschool classes! Did I mention we have tons of adult dance classes for $10 a class!?
I am proud that we are turning the mixed reputation of the studio I purchased (Legacy Dance Studio) into a completely new vision. That is why we are “Precision Dance Project, The New Legacy”. We are building new programs for the youth to help grow them and pre them as professional dancers or college bound applicants. We are giving them opportunities to do more than just a recital or dance competition. Dance is most certainly a lot of hard work but it is also supposed to be super fun! We try to make it as fun as possible.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Personally, I define success as overcoming the struggles you encounter and finding a way to grow from those struggles. Education is key. Tons of seminars and classes. You cannot expect to run a dance studio without networking and continuing education in the field you are teaching, otherwise you’re a sinking ship. Learn, learn learn!!
Pricing:
- $10 Adult Classes
Contact Info:
- Address: Precision Dance Project, The New Legacy
4722 147th Street,
Midlothian, IL 60445 - Website: www.precisiondanceproject.com
- Phone: 708-535-1300
- Email: legacydancestudio@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/precisiondanceproject
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/precisiondanceproject
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