How Ballroom Dance Helped Build My Business

A delightful journeyDance has been a wonderful influence in my world. I began studying in June 1998 at The Dancers Studio with Adam Gordon, now a dear friend. I remember walking into the studio and thinking…what a fun atmosphere, no one could be unhappy here. It was at this time in my life when I began my own business, Move As One, as an independent consultant and coach for individuals and organizations. After existing in large consulting companies where my social life was completely absorbed by their functions, I was now left with more choice as to how to fill my social calendar. Plus my daughter was near the end of her high-school days and wanted to spend less time with…mom. I was on the cusp of being an empty nester and unsure about what was next. Thus began my journey into the world of ballroom dance.  And what a delightful journey, so many benefits realized including… first an active activity where I could not only get exercise but let go of the concerns experienced as a budding entrepreneur. Secondly I was introduced to a whole new grouping of friends and social gatherings that were centered on dance rather than alcohol. Third I was able to explore a whole different way to connect with myself and communicate with another person that was extremely free and exhilarating for me. (I continue to think about writing a book, Finding God on the Dance-floor) My business grewThen later dance added to my livelihood. Unplanned by me, I began teaching dance. After moving to La Crosse, Wisconsin area in 2002, I found dance to be nearly non-existent there. To keep my sanity and keep dancing, I offered a few group classes. I was then invited to join a historic renovation project in Viroqua where I could open a dance studio, Slippers, or rather a creative arts center, in which I hosted other events of music, theatre, art and dance. The community was delighted with this center and Slippers was nominated main-street business of the year in Wisconsin in 2004. My reputation grew and I became known as the resident pro with requests for dance classes from the surrounding areas including La Crosse, Winona, Rushford, Caledonia, Onalaska and more.  But I was still hungry to grow my life’s work as expressed by my Move As One™ programs. And surprisingly, I found dance to be a fabulous marketing tool that introduced me to some of the more influential members of the community who would later invite me into their businesses to guide their teams to “move as one” toward productivity and profitability. Further, I used the concepts of dance to help convey messages in my teachings and presentations. And I found my speaking improved considerably as I drew on my experience of dance; I was a fuller embodiment of myself, expressing in whole body, as I spoke in front of larger audiences.Life changes brought me backIn the meantime, my daughter married and located herself in south Minneapolis. Shortly after marriage, they began having babies. I’m now the proud grandma of 2 beautiful boys and a new baby girl. I found I could no longer stay away, so I moved back to the Twin Cities last year, in 2007. Plus the middle child, Maximilian, had open heart surgery immediately after birth, and although he’s perfectly healthy now, I decided to be more readily available, as well as more active in their lives.I realize now that La Crosse was a wonderful experiment of success…and Minneapolis is my home and obviously offers a much larger market. My consulting and coaching business is my foundational work here, but I continue to dabble in teaching ballroom dance. The dance of lifeAfter offering a few dance classes at St. Joan of Arc last summer, I decided I wanted a more permanent home. But where can I teach? In February of this year, one of my coaching clients told me about the article in the Star Tribune about Jeff Nehrbass, a Lutheran minister as well as ballroom dance teacher, and owner of On Your Toes/Retro Ballroom. In the article, he spoke about the concepts of dance in similar ways. So I stopped by his studio and he not only had teaching openings, but immediately put me to work with some group and private lessons.  We are now offering a joint workshop to dance students that we call “Ballroom Dance as a Springboard into Positive Life Choices”. Here is a sampling of modules:1)    Presence of Being2)    Cooperative Teamwork3)    Clarity of Direction4)    Emotion in MotionI’m excited to combine some of my life’s work in my dance classes and grateful that Jeff has a similar mission. So who knows what is next - life is a dance! But I know dance will continue for me and I always look forward to sharing this joyful expression with others.