We were lucky to catch up with Nandita Bajaj recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nandita, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?

The staff and instructors at Cen4Pal show our appreciation by truly understanding the needs, challenges, and dedication our students bring with them when they walk through our doors. Whether they’re beginners or more experienced, we listen to their goals and provide a space where they can explore their creativity without pressure. Our small class sizes allow us to connect with each student individually, giving them the attention and guidance they need to learn and grow at their own pace. We’re here to support their journey, not rush it, and that personalized approach makes all the difference in showing how much we value them.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The Center for Performance Arts and Learning (Cen4Pal) really grew out of listening to our local community. We saw that so many people wanted to explore their creative passions—whether it was dancing, aerial work, art, music, theater, etc., but were hesitant because of the pressure that often comes with a competitive structure, found at other studios. Our goal was to create a space where students could focus purely on expression, growth, and enjoyment, rather than comparison or competitions. By prioritizing the individual journey and creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment, we’ve been able to help our students thrive in ways that truly matter to them and to us. The feedback from our Instructors, Students and Parents continues to be the driving force behind everything we do.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Like so many businesses, we’ve had to navigate our share of challenges, especially during the pandemic, and the ever changing social climate since then. Initially, adapting to virtual learning was a bit of a curveball, however we used it as an opportunity to rethink how we connect with our students and staff. We had to ensure that the sense of connection carried through, even online, and eventually into socially distanced in person classes. Now, as we’ve returned to regular in-person classes, the workforce landscape is changing, and we’ve had to be more flexible with scheduling. Despite these challenges, the journey has strengthened our commitment to providing a supportive, creative space. It’s taught us the importance of resilience, community, and adaptability in meeting our students’ needs, as well as our business goals.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Dance Arts and Cultural Fusion has always been a passion. It was a side hustle and the social dictates from a decade ago made us realize, this needs to be a mainstream institution and thus we were born. The passion has become a job. One of the most fulfilling roles I have held in my life. The ability to see the change and the smiles and the sense of accomplishment with various pupils and instructors makes this job so much more than what meets the eye.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cen4pal.net
• Instagram: Cen4PAL
• Facebook: Cen4PAL
• Linkedin: Cen4PAL
• Twitter: Cen4PAL
• Youtube: Cen4PAL

Image Credits

@Lifetime Photo and Video