Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Melanie Bussiere, Co-Founder of Dance Quality Ballroom and Fitness, located in Ottawa, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are Ballroom and Latin dance instructors, fitness trainers, and trigger point therapists. We teach dance to kids as young as four years old, as well as adults and seniors. On the fitness side, we mainly work with adults and seniors who are looking to live a healthy lifestyle, lose weight and recover or prevent injuries.
Tell us about yourself
We are competitive ballroom dancers and personal trainers. In 2021 we became the Canadian Ballroom Champions over 30. Our love of dance and motivation to improve our own health and wellness led us to become personal trainers and dance instructors. We continue to enjoy learning about health and wellness and train with some of the top dancers in North America.
After more than a decade of teaching dance, we decided that we wanted to open our own studio with the vision of growing the Ballroom community in Ottawa. We brought some of the best Ballroom and Latin instructors in the country to teach at our studio, allowing beginners and advanced students alike the opportunity to learn from some of the best. We are motivated to help all of our clients reach their dance, health, and wellness goals.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a business in a hard-hit sector, it was a big accomplishment to open our studio during the pandemic and expand a year later. It took a lot of creativity on our part to find new ways to keep our clients interested and motivated when we were in lockdown, but we managed beautifully.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hours are among the hardest things that comes with being a business owner. You definitely work more hours than you would in a traditional job, but it's worth every minute.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Come up with a clear plan of what you will do and how you will achieve your vision.
- Be adaptable. Be prepared to make changes to your business if things are not working or if a situation such as Covid-19 arises.
- Allow yourself to enjoy every moment and celebrate your successes.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://dqballroomandfitness.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DQBallroomandfitness/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dq.ballroom.and.fitness/
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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