We recently connected with D.Necehelle Pascol and have shared our conversation below.
D.Necehelle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
Yes, I am happier as a business owner because of the freedom and flexibility I have to just live my life on my own terms. I have worked regular jobs prior to becoming a business owner and for the first few years as a business owner; until recently so I know what it’s like to have a regular job even while operating my business. What I learn and earn from my 9 to 5, I take it and apply it to my business. It’s usually during our down season at The Diamond In the Rough Dance and Wellness Academy, when clientele is scarce; I get anxious and start applying for jobs. Financial stability is so important, especially during a pandemic and now we’re on the brink of a great recession. I say that to say, for me it’s usually financial insecurities that make me want to work a regular job for the security of a guaranteed paycheck. Other than that, even on my worst days as a business owner I have no desires to work a regular job. That’s not what GOD put me here to do. Recently, I successfully transitioned out of my job as a Chapter Lead for Young People in Recovery as well as paused all business inquires and engagements until further notice. It’s been mentally hard for me, because I’m so much a part of the “grind culture” and “chasing the bag” that sitting still becomes a job. But I’ve learned that there are too many ways to make money out here to be trapped in the patriarchy of a regular job. And when you are a business owner without a big team, doing everything alone becomes a bit much so breaks are NECESSARY for you and the people you serve through your business. As an entrepreneur it’s important for me not to degrade the power of a regular job and its ability to help fuel your business ideas. However, working a regular job has never been for me and I don’t recommend it for the long haul.
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 am the Brand DNECHELLE. A Jane of many trades, master of a few. I am a published model, dance choreographer, yoga instructor, wife, mommy and owner of the Diamond in the Rough Dance and wellness academy. I have a bachelor degree in communication, business management, and performance arts. The Diamond in the rough Dance and Wellness Academy have been committed to the journey of implementing the art of dance as a way of developing and healing since 2012. Aside from modeling, dance has always been my passion and I cultivated a business that allows me to utilize the art of dance, yoga and meditation to help survivors and families of domestic violence, sexual assault and substance abuse disorders work through trauma. We enrich and foster the idea of Dance, Yoga and Meditation as a way of healing the mind body and spirit while developing individuals to be successful on their journeys to improving their lifestyle through better fitness and overall health. We’ve partnered with companies such as Global Athletes, Happy Healthy Family Fitness (h2k) and Culture of Fit, Kats yoga lab, Young people in Recovery and other organizations teaching dance for fun, dance for fitness and dance for therapy. We strive to ensure a positive, quality, and unique experience through the art of movement. Pascol Productions, Dance studios, corporate businesses, and Individuals who see the value what we have to offer are what drive the success of this business. There will always be a need for personal and professional development, healing, fitness activity, and the lifestyle of dance. We go above and beyond to deliver quality dance, yoga and meditation experiences for anyone who invest our services. We also provide dance choreography for music artist, pageant competitions, and even solo performances. Right now we are in a season of growth. The Diamond in The Rough Dance and Wellness academy will officially be a 501c3 entity in 2024. Stay tuned.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Recently, I decided to close my books and relocate to rest, re-calibrate, and re-prioritize my life and business affairs. Yes, I left my big house, busy business, stable job and security. Being booked and busy in my business, while also working and running a household bought me so much stress and burn out. And as someone who is a co conspirator to the “grind hard culture “I needed to break free from that TRAP. Not just for the sake of my overall health but because my clients and my family deserved a more present me. There are different seasons in your life just as in your business. There’s your developing season, Your thriving season, Your slow season, your learning and growing season, your NO seasons, your season where you are doing it all by yourself to your hiring season where you fall back and let the business run itself because you have put in the necessary groundwork and hired the right team . Right now I am in my learning and growing and no season. I am growing mentally, physically and spiritually. I am growing my network and my net worth. I am saying no to anything that does not align with the transition and growth of DNECHELLE,LLC and The Diamond in the Rough Dance and Wellness Academy 501c3. Leaving Texas and not accepting business this year has been one of the hardest things I had to do but I know it was necessary for my health and continued happiness. After coming out of the pandemic I allowed my books to be filled and overflow to the point of burnout, once gain. Burnout was my best friend! But I am here to tell you no matter how many entrepreneurs and business owners push this rhetoric of Rise and grind that it’s a trap that must be escaped. It’s not sustainable, especially if you are not someone with a large team or support system.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
STOP! DO NOT EVER, EVER agree to do business with anyone without the proper contracts in place to protect you and your coins. In 2019 I met this wonderful gym owner who wanted other fitness contractors to become part owners of the gym because she was using it less. I met her and received a warm welcome and the keys to the gym the same day. At this point I was traveling to my clients BUT now would have a gym space for them to travel to which was Six weeks to fit in Katy TX until months later the owner would then decide that she was closing the business and gave me a two days notice that she was doing so. This was right after the Voyage Houston feature of me and my business which highlighted the new gym space. I was devastated. But I took the L like a boss because ultimately it was my fault for agreeing to occupy HER gym with my business without the proper business contracts in place. But was this the first time I experienced this? No! I had another incident where women booked me for a specific choreography piece for her dance show. I delivered fully. I went above and beyond as I do for all of my clients. After I created the choreography, I hired other dancers, and taught this individual and each of her dancers just for her to turn around and say “well I am no longer going to use this choreography” and she never paid me for all of my hard work, time and dedication and because I didn’t have my contracts in place to sue her I had to take that L!! But just because I had to hit my head a few times in order to learn this does not mean you have to! I’m hard headed that way and sometimes my book smarts and street smarts do not show up at the same time. See in the streets yo word is bond, it’s your binding agreement but in business it is bullshit unless you have a contract stating otherwise.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: intsagram.com/diamondintherough_danceacademy
- Facebook: faceboook.com/diamondintheroughdance
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dnechelle-llc-pascol-16080386
- Other: lessons.com/thediaomndintheroughdanceacademy Tiktok.com/madambutt3rfly
Image Credits
Photocred:PASCOL PRODUCTIONS instagram.com/pascol_productions