Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Denise DancelegZ Wesley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Denise DancelegZ thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you share an anecdote or story from your schooling/training that you feel illustrates what the overall experience was like?
Educational background ranges from College level performing arts (acting and dancing) & industrial and organizational psychology. Most people scratch their heads when I mention the two, however I was raised in a pretty balanced household. Work and play were synonymous, and both play deeply into how I teach others.
As an adult I attended several dance studios for training in the areas of pole fitness, liquid motion (of the body), and the art of skate dancing. My instructors always stressed “bringing the audience to your area of the stage “, “…make them SEE you no matter where your location sits”, “Be present, make it look good, go full out!”
Denise DancelegZ, 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?
Where can I begin… oh yea… my parents said the moment they found out they were going to be first time parents… my mother began playing music of all genres and backgrounds so that I could hear the music. The idea must have worked because the story goes, a couple days after I was born (1983), when visitors came to see the “Wesley Baby”, apparently I was attempting to turn over and move around in my space. The doctors/ nurses/ and visitors couldn’t understand it, as I was a new born.
Fast forward to my adult years, I would become a professional rollerskater and began receiving requests to provide skate lessons, then the bookings for movies, commercials, and national recording artists. It was “just rollerskating” as some people kept telling me… even friends instructed me to “stop spending so much time skating, and that pole fitness was degrading”. However, the calls, and emails kept coming in for bookings, workshops, classes, etc. I worked more on proper training with dance studios and skate workshops, to improve my craft as well as sitting under people who were going to train me to become better.
Eventually I started branding myself as “DANCELEGZ” and stopped “hiding” what I was clearly really good at. The more I taught and trained, the more I realized, adults learn differently than children, and that my approach to teaching the art of rollerskating and eventually Pole-Skating would become defined… I would teach my clients to “move in confidence and to move comfortably”.
I created a business called “DEW Vision LLC to work under as an umbrella. I would DBA (do business as) Denise DanceLegz. I sat with many people who were knowledgeable and trained in marketing and content, and realized that I was not for everyone, but for those who needed to build their confidence in the area of body movement. I would do more than just teach how to skate, but would provide a safe space for adults to re-discover who they had become, what their bodies were trying to express, and how to restore their confidence. I knew that I would not land all the gigs, nor would I be accepted by all, but I had to be the best for my clients, and those who booked me with intention.
Unforced Rhythmz of Grace & It’s Beyond The Pole became the foundations for what I call “The DanceLegz Experience”. It was important to avoid masking that which my clients would bring to class, but to ensure that confidence was established and restored by the end of every meetup/session. I enjoy seeing growth in all my students… it takes time to progress, and I’m the instructor who grasps that concept fully. I am always reminded that you can only teach yourself so much, community is essential . I remain balanced as an instructor that “it is okay to learn from others, improving my craft makes me better for my returning clients as well as my future ones.
When I think of what I have done thus far… my proud moments … I would have to say, watching my choreography on skates performed by my clients. I will tell you why… the beginning of class or a workshop is the moment where you can feel and see the student in their moments of doubt, fear, awkwardness, and being unsure. To see a student put their skates on, and attempt the choreography of their own free will and “nail it” at their level… it is the best feeling in the world for me… I end up screaming in excitement as the music plays, because I know where they started. Earlier I mentioned “UNFORCED RHYTHMZ OF GRACE”… to move is something one does of their own free will… the student/ client chooses to move, they choose to dance, they choose to skate… to choose to do move unapologetically with me as their teacher is the honor.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Consistency and marketing… not sure where I would be without remembering these two concepts. I say this because I know many business owners or brands who refuse to market properly. I tried to fight it and sometimes feel myself grunting when I have to create content, create digital flyers, spend money on the marketing side or pay into new trainings.
Hear me out … monetary input is not the sole way to pay. Showing up for virtual and in person trainings, signing up for classes and workshops that are led by leaders in my field of work. So many of these are “free” but you have to be present and ready to learn. It also costs to be the boss, so it takes money to make money too. Paying for classes and workshops, paying for marketing tools that will allow me to reach my audience quickly and professionally is key. I didn’t always have the knowledge I have now, and I’m always learning something new. Word of mouth won’t always get the job done, using tools and social media helps to get the word out while I’m multitasking . I understand now that a tool is good when used properly.
Consistency and remaining consistent have kept me relevant and able to see what changes are occurring in my field. Things change and I have to be open to change. Remaining in my lane but evolving have been so important to my success. We as entrepreneurs can get stuck behind the idea of “they know me”. I think that your audience is forever wanting to “know who you are”. They want to know what are you up to, what are you working on, where are you going? Your ups and downs, and of course how can they gain access to the service you provide. It is up to me to provide this for my audience and clients. I can’t be all over the place with what I provide because this confuses the audience, being CONSISTENT with what I provide and how I provide it is key.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
1) Listen to the right people, and that includes yourself sometimes .
So often I would rely on the approval of those closets to me to direct if I was doing a good job or the right things in my business. I learned over time that some of the closets people to you do not have an understanding of your field of work. They can be very judgmental and have a perspective that is not very helpful. They mean well, but advice from everyone will lead to a confused mind and path.
I remember when the concept of “DanceLegz “ started sort of taking off… I was receiving paid gigs and I called a close friend of mine… they stated how displeased they were with how much time I was spending in rollerskating, even stated that it just isn’t want grown women do. I took this piece of advice to heart, despite knowing what my calling was… I looked up one day and celebrity artists of all genres were rollerskating and even auditioning for RollerSkaters to be in their music video projects . Those closest to me were now cheering and raving about how dope it would be if I were in the videos and on the stages. I was confused, I was torn… I had wrapped my mind around the advice that was given about backing away from skating so heavily, however I knew these were the opportunities I had always wanted. I had to train twice as hard to catch up, and now needed new material to submit for auditions. I had no business listening to those who were not in my career field. It slowed me down and set a mental block that now had to be undone.
I eventually returned to my steady pace and level of skill, but imagine where I would have been if I had simply stood my ground, and perhaps listened or trusted my self FIRST.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/dancelegz?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=68a606c9-4612-4d06-959d-69c9828aa42b
- Instagram: @ https://instagram.com/dancelegz?igshid=YzAwZjE1ZTI0Zg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DanceLegz?si=NIfxNb3yKxIzYdPh
- Other: IG @DancelegZ LINKTREE listed above YouTube @DanceLegz
Image Credits
Getty Images, SkateLuv 33