We were lucky to catch up with Kyri Hayes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kyri , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

The BIGGEST risk I have taken is actually opening up my dance studio back in October of 2018! At the time I was working an hour away from home, trekking up the highway at 4am to be able to make it to work for 6:45am. I would be in tears about 95 percent of the time just because I was so exhausted and did not feel like that was what life was supposed to be. At the time I was a part of a church that went on a Women’s Retreat and that year it just so happened to be Puerto Rico.
Each morning we would have prayer hour and I remember us being released to have our own personal time. During that time, I went to go sit on this rock that overlooked the ocean. I kept seeing waves crashing and then slowing down. The waves would crash again, and then slow down. I felt like in that moment God was telling me, “JUMP”. My initial thought was,”that’s a good one, God. I don’t swim.” He dealt with me the entire weekend about “jumping”. Later on that day, I went to the resort pool and there is a little girl in there with her dad. She kept yelling, “daddy! daddy! ” because she was afraid her father was going to let her go. She was afraid of the water. The entire time her father had his hands underneath her as she swam, so she could not possibly get hurt. She may have been afraid but her dad was not going to let that water overtake her.
This is what God was teaching me. That the waves would come. The waves will come and it feels like you may drown sometimes, but I had a forever Lifeguard that saves me from those crashing waves until it is calm again.
When I returned from Puerto Rico I knew what I had to do–open this dance studio.

I always shut down the idea of having my own studio. I thought I did not have the qualifications…too young..too much responsibility. I literally woke up one day, got onto I-75 to go to my corporate job, and it was like I had a wake up call. I thought about DDF in that moment, all the motivational speeches, church sermons, and my passion for the art of dance spoke to my heart. In that moment, I promised myself I would not let another year pass by without going for what my heart wanted. I went to go look for spaces and one of the final places I looked at was an old clothing store. Everything was perfect…nice floors, changing rooms, pearl white finishing..of course, I fell a little in love! But I did not fall in love with the price of it. Needless to say, I passed it up. I got discouraged again. I spoke with the leasing agent and he mentioned that he had another space open a two doors down and the square footage was a little smaller. I said I would go peak at it and never did, Then, one day as I was driving home, I forced myself to go look. I fell in love! No, it was not the 4,000 square foot building like next door..but one thing I can always see–potential. I envisioned the dancers that would be welcomed, the art that would be created behind those double doors. I signed the lease on Thursday, June 28, 2018. I remember sitting in a Starbucks signing that lease and thinking, “KYRI. WHAT ARE YOU DOING.”
Four years later, I realize what I was doing.
Providing a home for brown ballerinas in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Kyri , 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?

Hey there! My name is Kyri Hayes and I own Dynamite Dance Factory in Kennesaw, Georgia. We are home to over 100 brown and black dancers in Cobb County and provide instruction to ages 2.5 to Teens.
I am so incredibly proud of what we have built in our own little Kennesaw corner. When I opened, I NEVER imagined that we would not only be a dance studio…but a healing place.
I created a mission statement years before actually committing to opening a studio that states that “our mission is to provide professional dance instruction and instill an appreciation for the art of dance while simultaneously supplying a HEALING ENVIRONMENT for each dancer.”
Little did I know that God was lining things up as soon as I wrote that down….this would come with dancers who NEEDED us. They say that you should not take work home with you…but it is very hard not to do so when it comes to these dancers. I am sure my staff would say the same. It is NOT just dance…this is THERAPY for a large majority of the kids. We have dancers who are healing from deceased parents, illnesses that doctors can not give an answer for, and much more.
When the dancers can come into the studio and release, even if just for a 45 minute class, that gives me hope. I see healing happening. It is a very magical feeling.
We have a huge end of year production that each of the dancers look forward to each June. I don’t use the word “huge” lightly. We go all out for the kids because for many, this is their one time to shine. And I want them to shine BRIGHT. Like a Dynamite. It is hard to hold back tears standing on the side of the stage and seeing the dancer who came in so shy blossom into a butterfly by the end of the season at June recital,
THAT is what Dynamite Dance Factory is about. It is not about perfectionism…it is about progress.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Covid was a very unpredictable time for many small businesses, including mine. My studio was shut down on my birthday and I just remember feeling afraid. Afraid of not being able to stay open.

I had a small gathering at the studio before I realized we were shut down and a dance mom gifted me a tripod stand. That tripod stand got me through three months of Zoom classes each day with the dancers.

God was watching out for me and sending me moments of comfort that He was there.

My good friend gave me a call one day and she just kept telling me, “it is time to pivot.”
I have never pivoted and went tooth to nail for my business so hard.
The entire time, I had a 97 percent retention. I could not believe it. Parents believed in the Dynamite dream. Years later, I am still blown away and so incredibly thankful.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

In the schools where I grew up, people always had a comment about the way I talked. At one point,it sort of became something I was ashamed of, but at the same time..it was harder for me to pretend to talk/act like someone I was not. I remember a substitute teacher in high school plugging her ears when I laughed. I have a high pitched voice, a loud laugh, and a bubbly personality. Today, this is what I am most proud of. Being ME. With no apology about it. I teach most of the toddlers at the studio and they just LOVE it. They make me feel welcome. They love me for what I am.
I can walk through the other side of a grocery store and a dance parent can pick my voice out of a crowd of people during a 5pm crowded moment in the checkout line.
The kids in class match what you give them. That is my philosophy. A very successful philosophy. If you come in excited and on a TEN…they do as well! But, it has to be GENUINE. They can feel what is fake.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dynamitedancefactory.com/
• Instagram: @dynamitedancefactory
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dynamite-Dance-Factory-193437258018396/

Image Credits
Darnell Jackson Vandy Wheeler