We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Miranda Heitz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Miranda, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I had always wanted to be a Dance studio owner, but financially it seemed impossible with the start up costs. I was a full-time dance teacher but I was splitting my week at 4 different studios which was very frustrating. My husband got laid off and recieved severance pay but quickly found a new and better job. We decided to use the money to open MZ Dance Company! I had built up a good following and reputation in the dance community so we took the leap.

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

I started dancing when I was 3 years old. I was very intense and committed to it right from the start. I wanted to learn everything, every style, every genre. It became my world, my identity, my emotional outlet, my safe space and how I expressed myself. I was on Competition teams, did Show Choir, got RAD Ballet certifications and I majored in dance at Ball State University. I started teaching dance at age 16 at a local small studio to help pay for all the costs that come with being a dancer and I really found my true gift was being a choreographer and teacher. I like to perform but I LOVE to create. I spent time after college working professionally with a couple of Ballet Companies and I really wanted all dancers regardless of age or level to experience what being in a Ballet was like. I also wanted them to be well rounded and learn all genres of dance, not just one style. I then spent some years working with Circus performers and I meshed well with that community too. Circus people are more open minded and creative people in general. So how could I bring all this together? A place where I could write Story Ballets, teach all styles of dance and Circus arts. I wanted a place that performers could call home. That safe space. I wanted to prepare them for the adult professional dance world with what they really need to know in this industry. The well rounded person as a whole is important to me, not just someone who has a lot of trophies or bragging rights. We create artists and good people. That’s my staffs vision and what sets us apart.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

At MZ Dance Company the individual matters to us. We take the time to get to know each student and we are very inclusive. We write Newsletters each month that we send to all families so they always know what’s happening at the studio. Communication is important and we take that seriously. We host fun events and fundraisers for our students outside of dance because these friendships can last a lifetime. We’re on a whole other level over here!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When the lock down of 2020 happened I was devastated. I had just opened in 2018 and was still in the process of building up my clientele. Our numbers dropped dangerously low and we had to survive on our savings during that time but I never closed my doors. We went virtual on Zoom and kept all classes running. I even finished and filmed their dances and uploaded them each to YouTube so we could have an in studio recital once we were allowed. I wouldn’t wish that stress as a business owner on anyone but I’m not the type of person to give up. We are continuing to thrive today!

Contact Info:

• Website: mzdancecompany.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mz_dancecompany/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mzdancecompany

Image Credits
Julie Effron Photography