We were lucky to catch up with Camille Thompson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Camille, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
As with most extra curricular activities, it costs money to participate in dance. No matter the degree of commitment, costs will be incurred to pursue that passion. Many dance studio directors and owners are plagued with having to balance profit and charity throughout the year. As a director, you see talent. As an owner you see profit margin. As a person, you see heart. Where is the middle ground? Since I can remember, I have kept my heart in place when it comes to mentoring and leading our youth. It MUST be about the passion and not the money. However, since opening my OWN dance studio, other aspects have to be considered to keep the doors open. Throughout this journey, I have found it is far more rewarding to see to it that kids gain the experience of performing. The biggest challenge with this is that there will always be families that make the commitment but cannot pay timely. To balance, it’s important to market your product constantly to that all the streams are being collected to offset late payments etc. PLANNING is necessary, but even with planning unforeseen circumstances constantly arise. There are so many moving parts and constant work is needed to push forward. Dance is an EXTRA activity. For some, it’s a hobby. For others, it is LIFE. There are ups and downs much like a gym membership. Seasons come and go. The key is staying prepared for your low moments by remaining consistent and diligent. Do not get comfortable.
Camille, 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?
I have been dancing since the tender age of 3 years old. Ever since I could walk, my mom knew I was going to be a little diva. She had me in all the extra curricular activities and dance was the one that stuck. As I began to grow up, it became apparent that dance was what I wanted to do. In high school, I was on the drill team. During that time, I also coached cheer squads over the summer and provided competition routines for teams in our community. As a sophomore, I created a step team; the first ever at that school. My leadership qualities blossomed when I was very young. I would watch videos at home and teach myself and sometimes others the routines, I would always be somehow working toward that craft.
After I graduated, I continued to teach in the DFW area. I began teaching master classes at local high schools and facilities for children and adults. I then moved on to dance for the Dallas Mavericks. This experience led to many more amazing opportunities. Being a dancer in the NBA taught me discipline and consistency. From there, I danced locally and nationally and gained experience dancing and choreographing for musical artists, and acting and dancing in videos and commercials.
I am happy to lead in the entertainment industry by sharing my knowledge in stage presence, performance quality, dance technique and production with kids and adults in our community. I am proud to provide a safe space for growth. My gift has always been finding raw talent and bringing out the best in each student I interact with. I have been known to see greatness in the most beginner dancer and push them beyond what even THEY thought they were capable of. I feel that is what sets me apart from other choreographers. I have patience to watch dancers grow and bloom. Some instructors only work with a certain level dancer. I prefer a hard working beginner dancer over a trained dancer that is no longer hungry for change. I enjoy seeing what dance can do to lift a spirit, brighten a day, and clear a mind. I live to witness expression through performing art and I encourage all to move through life with grace and integrity.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
For as long as I can remember, I have relied heavily on physical appearance to push me along in life. I was living in a superficial bubble. Our society has leaned heavily on body mage, financial abundance, physical attraction and status, and even our kids have fallen victim to this idea that you have to look a certain way or fit in a certain box to be successful or relevant. As I grew, I learned lessons that have molded me into a humble, mature, CONFIDENT woman. However, I had to bump my head quite a bit to get here.
In 2012, God blessed me with the beautiful opportunity to become a mother. Through this process, I gained 80 pounds.I was not feeling like “myself”. The world as I knew it didn’t “see me” anymore. I was not feeling like “myself”. The world as I knew it didn’t “see me” anymore. All because of a few pounds. Once the weight began to shed and motherhood taught me a few hard lessons, my thought process began to shift. I started to see the beauty in originality. I started to witness change in myself. Instead of using my body to get attention, I simply sharpened my craft and used it as a tool to change the world. It is not about outward appearance. I teach my daughters that true beauty lies within. Your heart is what makes you who you are. In growing my business and my brand, this mindset has helped me connect more efficiently to the women I teach as well as the young children I mentor. If our heart is in tact and we are true to who we are, nothing can stop us.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
As a business owner it’s important to stay positive and clear as much as possible. The most successful businesses have some of the most patient, kind yet stern leaders. Organization is key. As an artist admin is not my string suite :) However, in owning your business, it’s important to get organized and make sure processes are in place so that your team can be successful. I am not perfect in this, but I work toward maintaining a positive environment by leading by example. Even in the most stressful moments, we constantly encourage one another so that we are most successful in providing a safe and fun environment for all. Communication is extremely important. Meetings are necessary to make sure strategies are set and tasks are clear. Lastly, affirming your team and expressing gratitude. Most businesses are a group effort, expressing thanks to your team reassures them that they are appreciated.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.idanzperformingarts.com/about-the-owner
- Instagram: @camthedancemom
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Camilledanz85
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-thompson-ba882a1a2/