We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Danielle Schulz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Danielle below.

Danielle, appreciate you joining us today. How did you find your key vendor or vendors? Maybe you can share the backstory and share some context and the relevant details to help us understand why you chose them, why they chose you, etc.

In the summer of 2021, I had a client request a virtual team building event: a terrarium workshop. At first, I laughed. I knew nothing about plants. Then, I panicked and wanted to say no. Instead, I took a breath and did a bit of research. Could I pull this off? I found a fantastic DIY terrarium kit on Amazon from the vendor Creations by Nathalie.

Instead of just placing the order, I reached out directly. We had a lovely conversation and learned that we were both in the early stages of our small businesses. Working with Nathalie and her husband was a dream. They were efficient, kind, and hyper-organized…values that we embody at The Triangle Sessions.

The class ended up being an immediate hit. We combined how plant-care relates to self-care in an entertaining fashion. Creations by Nathalie took the initiative and reached out to larger team building event companies with me as the official host. They’d source all the kits, I’d lead the workshop. Build-A-Terrarium has been booked hundreds of times and enjoyed by thousands of people around the country (and even the world). It’s been our foot-in-the-door to companies such at Meta, Google, IBM, and more.

Yes, I got a little lucky finding Creations by Nathalie. Yet actually reaching out and connecting is where the magic began. My biggest takeaway is to not just do the deal. It’s to connect first. When connection is at the forefront of any relationship, the potential soars.

Danielle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve been a dancer at the Metropolitan Opera since 2014. It’s a dream job, but it’s never been full-time. For years, I supplemented my income by teaching yoga and working in hospitality & tourism. When COVID hit and all the theaters closed, I had to figure out something quickly. I pulled together an odd set of skills to host virtual corporate wellness and team building events. These experiences served two functions: 1. To help employees feel their best despite a world disruption. 2. To battle loneliness and isolation while working remotely.

Since COVID first hit, we’ve evolved our services at The Triangle Sessions. We offer an array of classes such as Chair Yoga, Meditation for Stress-Relief, Paint & Sips, and more. We even curate off-sites for remote and hybrid teams to elevate collaboration and team bonding. We’re proud to offer memorable and inspiring experiences that bring out the best in people.

It’s been such a joy transposing everything I love about the dance world – camaraderie, dedication, creativity – and sharing it with the corporate world. I’ll be dancing in my final season at the Metropolitan Opera this fall 2024. It’s been a joy to do what I love, both on the stage and in this next chapter.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Combining corporate wellness with team building really helped set us apart, especially in the beginning. There are many corporate wellness programs out there and there are plenty of team building events companies. Our experiences capture both and create a Venn diagram. Our events are educational and prioritize employee well-being, yet there’s always an emphasis on camaraderie. Plus, many of our events can be reimbursed by company insurance plans since they’re wellness-based.

Additionally, there’s a huge emphasis on quality. As a performer, I aim to make our experiences entertaining and engaging. After years at the Metropolitan Opera, I take pride in having our events be of the highest caliber. They’re heavily researched and prepared. Each event is a bit like a show…the participants are the actors and no two experiences are alike.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

One of the most influential books I’ve ever read is ‘Unreasonable Hospitality’ by Will Guidara. It’s the story of how the legendary restaurant, Eleven Madison, became the best in the world. Their unprecedented emphasis on providing extraordinary experiences is what set them apart from their competitors.

This concept has been a guiding light for The Triangle Sessions for years. We prioritize connection, client relations, and customer satisfaction. In initial meetings with a potential client, we take the time to listen. We want to learn about the employees, their interests, and any pain points getting in the way of progress. We tailor the experience as closely as possible to reflect the ethos of the company all while staying close to our own mission.

In an increasingly AI-driven world, we’re dedicated to infusing a human and personalized touch into every aspect of our customer experience, making each interaction enjoyable and unique.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thetrianglesessions.com
• Instagram: @danielle_a_schulz / @thetrianglesessions
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetrianglesessions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-schulz/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-triangle-sessions/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-triangle-sessions-conshohocken

Image Credits

Portraits: Ryan Hunt

Backstage photo saying ‘Danielle’: Emily Cardea