Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to LAURA HART. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi LAURA, thanks for joining us today. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.

Progressing from a more natural conversation and email structure for setting up events and supplying performers, teachers and classes. We moved to a online platform for the professional side and for the School side of the Circus so that we could main Stream our system for professionals, looking at events and shifts and on the school side for parents and students to find classes and select to register and pay.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Salida Circus was founded by Jennifer Dempsy 17 years ago with a simple backyard workshop and one student. Salida Circus started out with the hopes that through Circus arts the organization could provide an enriched positively charged experience for self steam building, purpose, community connection, and new found skills. 17 years later, Salida Circus is connected over 60 plus members with the community classes, outreach programs, shows, international connections.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

salida Circus had operated as a social Circus and there was lots of hands on experiences where we had been mainly working, performing, and training together in workshops and classes.
Some of our skills involve interactions where people need to have close con contact such as Aerial and acrobatics and safety spotting. When the pandemic hit, it turned Salida Circus operations over on our heads. Salida Circus had to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to work with the community provide shows and training through no contact at home options. The team did wonderful mentorship through Zoom and Facebook messenger where one trainer and one student could still have connection and work on skills. We also created online Facebook messenger shows that would stream live for people to perform in the comfort of their own home and for viewers to enjoy a show through the comfort of their own home. This did not replace the in person environment. We found a new sense of connect, that was invaluable during this time .

How’d you meet your business partner?

I met the founder of the organization Jennifer Dempsy, one day when a friend of mine invited me to join in a circus workshop for my kids. What started as a simple hour for Mom to relax and the kids to have fun soon turned in to the adventure of a lifetime, the whole family began to join in to Circus workshops. Jennifer welcomed us in to the Circus community us new skills empowered us, and put trust in us. I began working as a trainer after I had learned much on my own participating in classes then I grew into. Into a leadership role as the Buena Vista coordinator. Soon I was offered the Salida Circus Director position the founder Jennifer Dempsy has created such an incredible atmosphere of self-worth and purpose that it almost feels like you were part of the family. I learned that business isn’t necessarily about the numbers all the time it’s about the heart and soul of the organization, feeling like you are a part of something greater gives everyone ownership and pride.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://TheSalidacircus.com
• Instagram: https://The.salida.circus
• Facebook: Salida Circus School
• Other: @salida.curcus. On tiktok

Image Credits

All images were taken by LAURA HART and members of the Salida Circus that reached foundation