We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Liliana Barrera a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Liliana , appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Before becoming a professional dancer, I used to work full time for a company that gave me financial stability and great benefits, as well as the opportunity to travel the world. When I first thought about quitting my job to become a professional dancer and Pilates instructor, it was kind of an insane thought: who in the world would leave a secure job with good salary and benefits plus the opportunity to travel for work? I shared that thought with some of my friends and they told me I was crazy; they all suggested to keep dancing as a hubby and maybe teaching some Pilates classes to make some extra money. I was so in love with belly dancing that I decided to proceed my professional career was a bellydancer, without leaving my 9 to 5 job. At the same time I started my Pilates certification to become a professional instructor, so I had my life completely full. Once I started dancing and teaching professionally, all I wanted to do was that, and my 9 to 5 job became really annoying, so I felt bad to do something for money instead of passion. In that moment I decided to work part time only and I was fortunate enough that the company I worked for moved abroad, so every fall into place. I continue couple of years like that, but the moment arrived when I had to make a decision, either quitting that job for good to commit 100% into my artistic career or just stay there and keep playing to be a professional dancer.

My dad helped me to make that decision; one day he asked me if I really wanted to become a dancer and Pilates instructor and if I was serious about it, to confront what ever will come my way to pursue it. My answer was a steadfast YES, without any hesitation, so he told me: go ahead, I will support you and help you to become who you are meant to be. And voila! from that moment on I have been walking this path. It has been 11 years since that moment; I’ve had lots of challenges and lessons learned, as well as an amazing fulfilling feeling in my heart and soul. I absolutely love what I do, I have met the most amazing people who I share my passion with, so I’m very happy I took that risk and follow my dreams.

Today, I have my entertainment company called StepFlix, I work with a team of professional dancers, musicians, DJs, circus artists, photographers, videographers, choreographers, dance and fitness instructors. I contribute to people’s happy moments of their lives, and I make a living out of it.

I also have a very successful YouTube channel called StepFlix too, where my team and I teach dance & fitness classes in series; we have 100K followers so far.

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

StepFlix Entertainment provides dance shows, flash mobs, circus shows, musicians, DJs, shows for kids, photographers, videographers, dance classes, hora loca, and more for private and corporate events. Here’s our website: https://www.stepflixentertainment.com/ All our shows are cater to each client vision of their party or events’ theme. We listen to our clients, give them options to work with their budgets and produce an amazing experience, to help them make their events One to Remember!

Our top-notch flash mobs are a life time experience. You can have a flash mob for many occasions, such as: proposals, surprise birthdays, marketing campaigns, grand openings, fashion shows, weddings, or any other occasion where you want a wow surprise factor.

We offer a wide range of dance shows: Salsa, Bachata, Tango, Kizomba, Flamenco, Belly dance, Samba, Capoeira, Folklore, Brazilian Zouk, Flappers, Ballet, Contemporary, Bollywood & Bhangra, Fire dance, Hawaiian Polynesian, Can can, Disco, Burlesque and Hora Loca.

In Circus we have: aerial silks, lyra, trapeze, hair suspension; hand balance, contortion, stilt walkers, jugglers, mimes, magicians, adagio and circus characters.

For music we offer DJs and musicians: sax players, drummers, guitar players, singers, as well as whole bands: Latin and salsa band, Chill out band, Son Cubano band, Jazz & Blues band, Grupo Flamenco.

We also offer photography and video services to capture your special moments and make them unforgettable.

If you are getting married and need a choreography for your first dance weeding, we have the best dance instructors to teach you the technique and steps, according to your music genre of preference.
Or if your daughter is having a sweet sixteen or quinceañera party, and wants to shine on the dance floor, our dance instructors’ team is ready to make it happen.

If you just want interactive dancers to start up the party, an Hora Loca will be ideal.

And for the little ones, we offer our famous Zumba Kids, with specialized dance instructors for kids, to make them dance, jump and have lots of fun.

StepFlix is the source of complete Entertainment!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me the most rewarding aspect of being a professional performer is to be able to provide happiness to my audience. To add a special element to their special moments in life. To contribute to make their events One to Remember!

It is a process to be able to do that. Each client is unique as well as each party or event is unique, so the first step is listening to what the client wants, and the budget they want to invest, so I can offer them according to both their desires and budget. Second step is to explain them very well what I can offer them to meet those criteria. Once we are on the same page, the fun part starts, which is the creation process: selecting the perfect artists for that specific gig, working with them in the routines or repertoires, choosing the songs, costumes, rehearsing, planing, logistics and finally executing the shows!

Seeing the smiles of my clients and their guests as my team and I perform, is the most rewarding part of the night. When I get back home, I have a great feeling of contributing to people’s happiness!

How did you build your audience on social media?

Regarding social media the most important is to be consistent and real, to show your work as it is, so when you deliver what ever is you are offering, it will meet the client’s expectations. When I said consistent, I mean posting everyday. Social media is very competitive and depending on each one, and your goals for each one, it is important to have a strategy.
I also say that it’s important to be patient with social media, as an audience gets build with time and consistent posting, it doesn’t happen from one day to another.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stepflixentertainment.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepflix/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StepFlix/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/stepflix
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/StepFlix
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stepflix-entertainment-miami

Image Credits
Sofia Badal