We recently connected with Ashley Payne and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

Growing up the philosophy in our house was “find what you love to do, then find a way to get paid doing it”. It was never about the most successful career path, the most money or stability, it was always about what was going to bring you the most happiness and fulfillment in this lifetime. So, I went to college as a dance major instead of the “practical” choice which was pre-law…and my parents supported decision and were always available for guidance and emotional suppport.

Ashley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My start in the industry was as a competitive dancer in my youth. That training led to collegiate training at Point Park University In Pittsburgh. I then moved to NYC after graduating to pursue a performance career. Along my many travels, endeavors and journeys, I developed a passion for Pilates and physical fitness. In my early twenties I entered the dance competition scene as an adjudicator. In my many years, and many weekends around dance competitions I found myself asking the “why”? Why do we dance? Are we in this for a trophy? What determines success? The answer for me was that dance provides much more than just a physical challenge for my body, but trained my mind, built my integrity and established the work ethic that I operate off of. After leaving New York and starting a family in Chicago, I wanted to immerse myself in the culture of dance and create positivity in the journey- not just the product. The dance world has many stigmas around it and I wanted to be involved in a manor that could promote and honor the different paths, opportunities and experiences that are available and change the narrative on what “success” and many more topics are defined as.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The way in which I was “raised” as a dancer made me who I am today. I am thankful for the lessons, the hours, the tough love, the transparency and also the times in which in “failed”. But I’m working with and teaching the current generation, many of the tactics or approaches don’t speak to the current youth. I often feel like I have to “reinvent”, to stay relevant….which never seemed like a hurdle that my teachers had to go through- yes, maybe creatively, but not structurally. As opportunities have changed, as dance has become more accessible, as studios are now a dime a dozen, I’ve learned I can’t just “do as I did”….I have to listen, be creative and compromise- without losing my values and integrity as a business owner and ultimately as a dancer/performer.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

The thing I stress the most is communication. I can’t expect people to do things a certain way if I am not clear about it. I can’t address items of concern if I am unaware. It’s very hard to not take things on a business level personally, but I try to disassociate myself and look at things as they are and not upset about them not being “liked”, etc. Feedback is a gift, so hearing from my staff, working with them and ultimately supporting them is what makes us all want to show up to work, to do the “extra” stuff and to enjoy our time together while doing it. Ultimately, I would never ask anyone that works for me to do something that I wouldn’t do myself- and that goes from traveling to cleaning toilets!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artisticpursuit.me
• Instagram: @artistic_pursuit
• Other: Personal Instagram: @abeckerpayne

Image Credits
Allynn Simons Elevated Event Productions