We recently connected with Macy Gayler and have shared our conversation below.
Macy, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Dance has been a central part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a highly competitive studio environment gave me the technique and discipline to pursue a career in dance, but I often felt that I was missing emotional support and mentorship as a young artist and individual. That experience shaped my vision.
I knew that when the opportunity came to create my own studio, I wanted to do more than just train great dancers, I wanted to help raise confident, empowered, well-rounded people. Dance teaches so much more than movement, it instills perseverance, time management, creativity, social skills, and emotional maturity and expression. I wanted to build a safe space where those lessons could flourish alongside strong technical training.
From the beginning, I’ve taken a hands-on approach. I’m involved in every layer of the business. From choreography and music selection to mentoring students and shaping our creative direction. Over the past eight years, I’ve seen students go on to attend top dance dance colleges, perform on Broadway, cruise lines, and professional sports teams. But just as meaningful to me are the students who’ve become teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs, and leaders in their communities.
The idea for my studio was born from a desire to make a lasting Mpact. To build a network of strong, expressive, kind, and driven artists. That mission continues to guide everything we do.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I come from a creative family, my father is an engineer, music producer, and steel guitarist with multiple gold and platinum records, and my mother and grandmother are talented painters. Growing up in that environment I was always supported and encouraged to explore my own artistic side. My heart ultimately committed to dance because it challenges you on every level. Dancers have to be musicians with a deep understanding of rhythm and music theory, actresses to able to express powerful emotions through performance, and top athletes maintaining peak physical endurance and discipline.
While I loved performing, I discovered early on that my true passion was helping others find their voice through dance. There’s something powerful about guiding a student to discover their confidence, artistry, and self-expression. That realization led me to teaching and eventually to opening my own studio.
At Mpact Dance Academy, we provide comprehensive dance instruction to students ages 3–18 in a wide variety of styles, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre, ballroom, hip hop, jazz funk, and Pom technique. Our recreational program supports dancers of all levels, giving them a creative outlet, a sense of belonging, and a space to stay active and inspired.
We’re also home to a nationally recognized competitive company. These dancers train extensively and work with world-renowned choreographers from Dancing with the Stars, Broadway, television, and top dance companies. To date, our students have earned over $5 million in college and professional scholarships. A recent highlight was being selected to perform in Derek Hough’s Holiday Show, as well as remaining undefeated in major competitions across our state and Los Angeles.
But beyond all of the accolades, what truly sets Mpact apart is our commitment to each individual student. We focus on building strong, confident, and empowered young people on and off the stage. We pride ourselves on knowing each student personally, mentoring them closely, and helping them rise to their fullest potential. At Mpact, we’re not just teaching dance we’re shaping lives. And that’s the legacy I’m most proud of.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
After a wildly successful first year of owning my business, I faced unimaginable personal tragedy. At just 28 years old, I was already navigating the uphill battle of being a young female entrepreneur—dealing with the side eyes, the dismissive comments, and the quiet disbelief that I could actually build and run something meaningful. Then, during my second pregnancy, I was diagnosed with a severe form of preeclampsia called HELLP Syndrome. I lost my daughter at 26 weeks and nearly lost my own life in the process. Losing my daughter before ever getting to meet her and facing a near death experience was unimaginable, but it was my reality. It was the darkest, most painful time of my life.
Grief, especially around child loss, is often treated as taboo, and something people don’t know how to acknowledge or talk about. That silence made me feel even more isolated. I was a grieving mother, a new business owner, and the sole provider for my family, all at once. Finding the strength to continue was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
I experienced a wide range of reactions from my community. Mpact has always been a tight-knit studio where we share in each other’s lives, and while I received immense support from many, there were also those who doubted whether I could bounce back. There were moments when I doubted it myself.
But over time, I came to a deeper realization: my purpose was still alive. I may not be curing cancer or solving global crises, but I am playing a critical role in the lives of young people. I mentor and shape future leaders—some of whom may go on to become doctors, scientists, public servants, or innovators in their own fields. That realization became my lifeline.
In my darkest hour, I found my superpower—resilience. I chose healing. I chose self-care. And I chose to keep showing up—not just for my students, but for myself, and for the legacy I’m building. That pain is now part of my purpose. It deepened my compassion, strengthened my leadership, and reminded me that even in loss, we can create light for others.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is this: you can’t make everyone happy.
Running a dance studio is unlike most other businesses. You’re not just providing a service, you’re becoming part of people’s lives. You grow deeply invested in your students and their families. You’re standing shoulder to shoulder with parents, helping shape their children not only as dancers but as people. That connection is one of the most beautiful parts of this work, but it also brings emotional complexity, friction, and sometimes misunderstandings.
In the early years of my business, I found myself constantly trying to create solutions that pleased everyone. I was chasing harmony at all costs, stretching myself thin and second-guessing decisions, even when I knew they were in the best interest of the studio. I was wearing myself down emotionally, trying to accommodate every opinion and make everyone feel satisfied.
Eventually, I had to face the truth. Even with the purest intentions, you simply can’t please everyone. And that’s okay.
What you can do is get crystal clear on your vision, purpose, and values and then lead with conviction. Your actions must align with your words. Your policies must be consistent. When you operate from that place of clarity and integrity, the right people will stay. They will trust you and support the bigger picture you’re working toward. Those who are meant to move on will naturally do so and that’s okay too.
In a business like this, where relationships run deep, losing a student can feel personal. It stings, because you’ve poured your heart, time, and energy into their journey. But I’ve learned to trust that the students and families who are meant to be part of Mpact’s mission will stay. And they’re the ones who make the journey worthwhile.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mpactdanceacademy.com
- Instagram: @mpactdanceproject
- Facebook: Mpact Dance Academy
Image Credits
Jason Hayes