We recently connected with Justine Menter and have shared our conversation below.

Justine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was already well in to college by the time I knew I wanted to a path in the professional dance world. I went to college to study psychology and business, and just couldn’t shake my passion for dance. While I didn’t think it was sustainable at the time, I continued to make moves to further my training and connections. I decided to apply for a summer internship at the famous Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Low and behold I got in, and ventured to NYC for the summer. That was basically it for me! I fell in love (how can you not in NYC?) with the lifestyle, culture and the energy. I loved being around driven, like-minded individuals who all shared the same passion as me, and from then on, I knew I wanted dance to be a part of my professional life forever.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m originally from Dallas, TX, and have spent the last 15+ years in Los Angeles as a dance Choreographer, Educator, Producer, Dance Company Wwner and now, Career Coach and Podcast Host. I moved to LA a month after graduating from Indiana University, got an agent, started auditioning and quickly began my first company, FLIRT Dancers. From then on, my life was about creation. I produced tons of events of various kinds, all while simultaneously teaching in higher education, the convention circuit and all around the world.

During the pandemic, I started a new company: MNTR MGMT (Menter Management) that provides career coaching, support and guidance for professional dancers. All online, I provide 1:1 coaching, group coaching, online courses and resources for dancers pursuing a professional career. My main focus is on casting and marketing materials so dancers can gain control of their career and maximize their opportunities. I’m still working in the industry as a commercial print model/actor, choreographer, and educator, so this gives me a unique position to provide current and tried-and-true tactics to approaching a career in the creative arts.

Beyond the “cool” credits (I’ve worked with Kim Kardashian, Paris Jackson, LMFAO, to name a few), I’m really most proud of the work that I have created from the ground up. Both the companies I have run have been community-building and I love seeing the relationships formed from my first company flourish throughout the years. We’re talkin’ bridesmaids at people’s weddings! I set that in motion and it’s really awesome to witness.

The main things I want people to know about my work is that I invest all of myself in what I do. I believe in the work and know the takeaways are life-long values and strategies that can apply to all aspects of life.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My entire journey has been about resilience. More specifically, I was dropped from an agency – twice! I was dropped from a dance agent within the first few years of my journey, and then another time from my commercial agent. I didn’t book huge dance jobs, either. I just remained focus on my goals of being on the other side of the table and know that is where my passion lies. Instead of focusing on being dropped, or not booking the jobs, I used it as fuel to the fire. I kept going, I stayed consistent, and I kept my “why” as the driving force behind everything I do.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think society has been catching on slowly but surely with a non-traditional professional life, especially with the rise of social media. It’s certainly harder for people to understand how creatives live when they are not experiencing it themselves. The best way for society to support artists/creatives is to lead with kindness – to remember that we are all different beings with different motivations and end-goals. AND – to come to our shows, promote our work, buy our products, and embrace our gifts.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.justinementer.com/mntrmgmt
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/mntr.mgmt
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinementer
• Twitter: twitter.com/justinementer
• Other: Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1604003731

Image Credits
@focuslexi @_parkranger_