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

Mady, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Mady Richmond’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable tragedy. When both of her parents passed away as a young child, Mady was left to navigate the world alone and overcome her profound grief. But through dance, she found a lifeline to help her process her emotions and find a sense of purpose. Dance became her outlet for expressing her deepest sorrows and frustrations, and her passion for the art form led her to establish Mady’s Dance Factory. This unique dance studio is a place where children can come together, feel a sense of community, and use dance as a powerful form of self-expression. Mady’s unwavering determination to turn her pain into a force for good is an inspiration to us all, and her legacy continues to touch the lives of those who need it most.

Mady, 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?

As a family-owned business, our top priority at our dance school is to create a warm, welcoming community where everyone feels like they belong. We pride ourselves on fostering a close-knit, neighborhood vibe where students are not just learning how to dance, but are also building relationships and creating memories that last a lifetime. In fact, we like to think of ourselves more as a family than a dance school!

One of our core missions is to make dance accessible to all children who may not have had the opportunity to participate in what can often be seen as economically challenging activities. We believe that every child deserves the chance to experience the joy of dance and the benefits that come with it, such as increased self-confidence, discipline, and creativity. To that end, we offer a variety of programs that are specifically designed to meet the needs of children, including scholarships and special events.

Through our commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment and offering programs that make dance accessible to all, we strive to make a positive impact not just on our students, but on our community as a whole. We are proud to be a part of this neighborhood, and we are dedicated to doing our part to make it a better place for everyone.

In addition to our regular classes, we have several exciting opportunities for our students to take their dancing to the next level. Our influencer dance team is a talented group of dancers who perform at events in the community, create concept videos, and even perform at sporting events. They are true ambassadors of our studio and showcase the creativity and talent of our students.

For those looking to compete, we have our competition dance team. This dedicated group of dancers competes at 4-6 regional competitions each year and culminates their season at a national competition. Our competition team has a long-standing reputation for excellence and has won numerous awards and accolades over the years.

We believe that both of these programs provide unique opportunities for our students to showcase their talent and dedication to dance. Whether performing in the community or competing at a high level, we are proud of our students and the hard work they put into their craft.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a passion for dance. But it wasn’t until I became a school teacher that I realized I could turn that passion into something more. At every school I worked at, I started a dance program, sharing my love of dance with students and helping them discover their own passion for the art form.

But it wasn’t until my last teaching job that things really started to take off. I found myself with a group of 75 dancers who were eager to learn and grow. It was a challenge, but I loved every moment of it. And when I got married, my husband saw how much I loved teaching dance and encouraged me to pursue my dream of opening my own dance studio.

With $1,700 that I had been saving for years, I started my studio from scratch. I rented a room in a community center and started with just three dancers. It was a slow start, but I was determined to make it work. And slowly but surely, my studio began to grow.

Presently, my dance studio has grown to include a team of 20 staff members and an average of 250 dancers per season. We have successfully executed over 160 performances, conducted more than 41,600 dance classes, and earned over 1,280 awards. This journey has been nothing short of amazing, and I cherish every moment of it. Establishing my dance studio has been a long-cherished dream, and I consider myself lucky to be able to impart my love for dance to others each day.

How’d you meet your business partner?

I am blessed to have a husband who is not just my best friend, but also my business partner. He has been instrumental in helping me bring my dream of owning a dance studio to life.

He has taken on the role of managing all of our media and marketing efforts, creating stunning content that showcases the talent and creativity of our dancers. His dedication to our studio has been unwavering, and I am forever grateful for his unwavering support and encouragement.

Together, we make a great team, and I know that I couldn’t have done it without him. We share the same vision of creating a welcoming and inclusive dance community that offers opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background or experience.

I’m thankful for my husband every day, not just for his contributions to our studio, but for the love and partnership that we share in all aspects of our lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: madysdancefactory.com
• Instagram: mqadys_dance_factory
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadysDanceFactory/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MadysDanceFactory/videos
• Text/Call us: 305.239.0226

Image Credits
Brickstone Media