We were lucky to catch up with Giulia Tripoli recently and have shared our conversation below.

Giulia , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

At first it might seem obvious with my last name being Tripoli and my business being named Tripoli Studios Inc. However it wasn’t evident to me at all. When I had the idea back in 2012 to open a new home for dancers, I had no clue what to name it. My best friend sat me down at the time and said : “Well what do you stand for?” I knew I stood for elegance. The idea of always being kind no matter how unkind the world may be. I knew I stood for endurance. One of my favourite quotes is by James Baldwin that states : “Beyond talent lie all the usual words: discipline, love, luck – but, most of all, endurance.” I knew I stood for excellence. The notion to strive to be our best and do our best with the knowledge and capacities we have in that moment. Elegance. Endurance. Excellence. I had 3 main values that all began with the letter E. Triple E = Tripoli = Tripoli Studios Inc.

Giulia , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I began dancing late at 18 years old after being discovered at a college talent show. I trained in every style possible and then fell in love with the art and knew I wanted to make it a career. I have been dancing, teaching, choreographing and creating on local, national and international stages professionally since 2008. Building a career based on respect for the discipline and passion for the art, dance has been my vehicle for change both in myself and in those I am fortunate enough to teach. My unique storytelling style has become a trademark for the growth and innovation that can exist in the dance industry.  I founded Tripoli Studios Inc. in Montreal at a time when I could see dancers needed a safer space to be themselves. It was the first all drop-in studio in the province. I have developed a reputation in the industry for precision, professionalism and polish. My studio has become a Montreal staple for any dancer, assistant or teacher looking to train and share in an open and accepting environment. On top of a multitude of classes we also offer training programs, gigs throughout the year and a full feature length show that takes place every September.
I also recently embarked on a new journey with a dear friend and professional dancer Sarah Steben. Workroom 5584 Inc. is a co-creation space in Montreal that offers new and exciting opportunities for artists to create, network, engage and flourish in their own personal projects. As I continue to use my voice to advocate for artists in order to create harmony and great change within the community, both Tripoli Studios and Workroom 5584 continue to be welcoming hubs for all those who wish to start dance, return to a passion or keep investing in their career.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

To be honest, the old school way : word of mouth.
Anyone that steps through our doors is immediately a new member of our family. They are treated with kindness and respect. They are given a full tour of the space in order to immediately gain familiarity. They are offered an openness to ask any questions. We provide a safe class environment that is welcoming and non-judgemental. From there we always check on folks during and after class. The biggest thing we hear when people arrive for the first time is usually something about how a friend told them they would love it or need to try it. And it keeps expanding from there !

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I came from a very toxic dance environment and I promised myself if I ever opened my own space, I would never treat folks that way. The issue became that I went a little too far in the opposite direction. I was too lenient at first, offering free classes, not setting boundaries, wearing myself thin. I learned later that you can still be kind and reasonable while being firm and understanding. I had to find the right balance. You are to be kind to others without hurting yourself. You are to be kind to yourself without hurting others.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Tripoli Studios / Giulia Tripoli
• Facebook: Tripoli Studios
• Linkedin: Giulia Tripoli

Image Credits

Tyler Sherrington
Erin Walton
Alexxa Walker