We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dawn Smith-theodore. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dawn below.

Dawn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I grew up in my Mother’s dance studio in a small town in Ohio. My Mother was the first choreographer for the Cincinnati Ben Gal Cheerleaders. She ran a successful business and I began working for her when I was 10 years old. I worked at the front desk and eventually taught for her.

I never wanted to own a dance studio, but after I finished dancing professionally, I was not ready to let dance go. I decided to do what I had always said I would not do and open a dance studio.

I lived in Calabasas and there was no dance studio there so I began the search for the perfect space. I wanted a small, family oriented studio where each child was special and they received the attention they deserved.

I found the perfect spot in a new strip mall. I signed a 10 year lease with no students and no doubt that it would succeed.

Dawn, 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 am a specialist in the treatment of eating disorders with a private practice in Agoura Hills and Santa Monica, CA. I was the Director of Day Treatment Services for Monte Nido and Affiliates.

I worked for seven years at Monte Nido Residential Treatment Center in Malibu, CA with women suffering from anorexia, bulimia and exercise addiction. I have worked as a primary therapist as well as a facilitator of the weekly multi-family group, cognitive behavioral, dance therapy and creativity groups. In addition, I worked for 6 years as an Eating Disorder Consultant for Visions Adolescent Treatment Center in Malibu, where I worked with adolescents who suffer from drug addiction, alcoholism in addition to having an eating disorder. I was the Clinical Director of the Eating Disorder Center of California in Brentwood (Los Angeles) for 5 years.

I appeared on Health Zone with Amy Hendel and Recovery Talk Network as a therapist with a specialty in the eating disorder field. I was also been a guest teacher at Pepperdine University and California State Dominguez Hills. I appeared with Tracey Gold in the Lifetime Television show about the treatment of eating disorders entitled Starving Secrets. I am an international speaker having recently spoken to the dance department at Boston Conservatory, The Joffrey Ballet School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Steps on Broadway and the Frank Sinatra School of Performing Arts in New York City as well as IADMS in Ireland, Finland, and PAMA in London. . I am recovered from Anorexia Nervosa myself.

In addition to my work as a therapist, I was a professional dancer in New York City and then owned and operated my dance studio, A Step in Time School of Dance in Calabasas, CA for 25 years. During my ownership, I have traveled the globe with her students giving them opportunities to perform at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Cruise Ships, the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and The Radio City Christmas Show at the Nokia Theatre as well as building self esteem through performance. I continue to teach dance and working with dance conventions and Ballet companies to educate them about eating disorders and positive body images in the dance world. I believes that education and early intervention with dance educators, young dancers and parents can help decrease the number of dancers who develop an eating disorder.

As an author, I wrote the book, “TuTu Thin” A Guide to Dancing without An Eating Disorder and most recently, “Mother, Men and Me,,,A Memoir of Anxiety, Anorexia and Affairs.” I am also the host of the podcast, “Tu Tu Thin…. How to be a healthy dancer and athlete in mind, body and spirit.

Any advice for managing a team?

I feel it is really important to treat your team or employees the way you would want to be treated. Be sure to treat everyone with respect and listen to their needs. If they feel heard and that they are valued, they will work hard for you and the team.

Can you talk to us about your experience with selling businesses?

I wish someone had told me when I started my dance studio to have an exit strategy. For people who buy and sell businesses, but don’t invest their heart and soul in a business, it may be different. If you are starting a business doing something creative and that you love, you need to understand that it is a business. Even if you love doing what you have decided to start as a business, have a business plan, enough capital to run the business while it starts up and an exit strategy to sell when the time is right.

Contact Info:

• Website: www, dawntheodore.com www.mothermenandme.com www.tututhin.com
• Instagram: @dawn.smith.theodore
• Facebook: Dawn Smith-Theodore
• Linkedin: Dawn Theodore
• Twitter: @dawnstheodore

Image Credits

Matt Miller at Smacky Media Productions