Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Meghan Bowen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Meghan, appreciate you joining us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?
Exhausted and overworked sums up 2022 for me. Being a small business owner is hard. That’s putting it lightly. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. I have been on medication now to manage my anxiety for almost 10 years now. These medical issues are stemmed from PTSD but are also hereditary. I’ve spent most of my life learning about mental illnesses as my father was a Vietnam Veteran and suffered an immense amount from mental illness.
Leading into 2022 I could feel the changes starting in me. I knew I was going to need a break. My business partner and I had talked about this. I had asked a few other teachers in the area if they could step in for me for up to a month as I knew I needed to adjust my medications. No one could. By November I was having more frequent panic attacks. It was time whether I liked it or not, I need a break. These panic attacks brought me to tears, I’d get to a point where it was extremely hard to focus. I revamped the schedule quickly and sent it over to the staff. Everyone was on board. Or so I thought…
The next six weeks I took off. Visiting my doctor and getting my medications adjusted. During this time frame your body needs time to adjust. Many sleepless nights, energy highs and lows, and dizziness; but within about 3 weeks after the dosage adjustment I was feeling great. The following couple of weeks were over the holidays. I had approached my business partner stating I was ready to get back to it!
The first week of the new year 2023, I had a meeting with my business partner and another dance instructor that works with us. I was informed that “no one wanted me to come back to work”, “You should just be a dance mom this year”, “What you did by leaving and taking a break was wrong and this is your punishment/consequence”, “You are inappropriate for talking about anxiety and talking about the medicine for it”, “The teachers that stepped in for you don’t want to give you back your classes”. I left that meeting feeling as though I was dead inside. At that moment I felt so low that I could actually understand why someone could ever contemplate suicide. I could never do that, but in that moment I could wrap my head around the why’s. Dance and owning this studio has been my passion and desire ever since I was 13 years old. My whole dream.
I started talking with a therapist during this time frame as well. It was so wonderful to speak and receive guidance. I still go every two weeks. The month of January 2023 brought me back into the studio in a small capacity. Working at the front desk, working on costumes for our competition team. That was all I was “allowed” to do. I could see within an instant that my presence was missing. The kids needed me. The parents needed me. There’s proof in writing this was the case. My business partner and some of the staff felt different. I was finding mistakes in all aspects of this business. The business that I busted my butt to have for years and years…all of sudden just wasn’t mine anymore.
That same teacher that told me this was my punishment and that I was inappropriate for talking about anxiety also told me I overstepped her boundary as I spoke up about a technical aspect of one of my dances that she was so graciously working on for me because I “took a break”. I was out of line for speaking up in her classroom! Mind you, this is my business, I hired her, and I have tens of years of experience more than this teacher. The year previous to this we worked well together. Provided insight and guidance to each other. The table had now turned in my absence to get healthy.
There were weeks and weeks of the back of forth. None of it was good or with any positive-looking outcome for me and this business. The kicker is when I found out my business partner hadn’t been properly paying the bills for the business.
A person can get to a point in their life where they can see what’s important and what should take top priority. It was clear I needed to focus on myself, my kids, and my family. I knew I would not get the support and truth I needed from my business partner and others who were close to the subject. Quite frankly I was exhausted from the fight. When my business partner and I joined forces I believed it was truly for the best. Her background is extensive in finance. She is a certified management accountant. (My previous business partner was less than to be desired, lost a lot of money, and gained a big lawyer bill). The teacher I hired was someone I truly believed to be a good fit. Turns out she was a better fit with my business partner. They shared many conversations without me.
I got to the point where I wrote a letter of resignation. I was defeated. I was devastated. My family had to stay, my kids are on the competition team. They had a commitment they needed to see through. I went to every competition and supported every single student and teacher. Come to June 1st, it’s the year-end recital. I feel like I barely survived. I knew I’d cry and be sad but didn’t realize just how terrible it would feel. The last item of this season was nationals. Charleston, SC. The entire team is there. My kids included. Their dad took them. I am personally broke. Wasn’t able to do my job, resigned, asked for a buyout from my business partner, clients who don’t pay their bills, a business partner who won’t sign the paperwork that she asked for….I cannot afford to be with my kids at their national dance competition. I have never ever missed anything for my kids. Ever. Yet I sit at my house watching the live stream of my kids dancing while the clients of this dance studio who owe thousands of dollars somehow had the money to travel out of state for a week, to the beach, to a national dance competition.
The reality of what we go through as small business owners is astounding. The truth should be told. I intend to tell it. Mental health is not something to be ashamed of or scared of. We as humans should not be scared to take a break. The overall wellness of our bodies and mind should be everyone’s top priority. We should be able to lean on our peers and colleagues to better everyone’s experiences. No one person should have to work 7 days a week for years and years until the break their bodies need gives them no choice.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Co-Owner and Operator of Elite Legends Academy of Dance LLC. MEGHAN BOWEN – began dancing at the age of 7, first taking ballet. Studied the Cecchetti Method for 13 years. Eleven through twenty she went on to compete regionally and nationally. Winning top overalls year after year in all genres of dance. Meghan has had many wonderful opportunities to study under guest teachers from around the world. These opportunities came about through Dance Masters of America, Moscow Ballet Workshops, and many nationally acclaimed dance competitions, to name a few. Her journey as a dance teacher began at the young age of 14. For the last 25+ years, Meghan has been teaching children of all ages to dance, build confidence, and how to shine their brightest in all walks of life. She has kept up with her teaching and the evolving trends within the community in many ways. Within conventions, national teaching workshops accredited syllabi offered through different programs and Judging Regional and National Dance & Talent Competitions. Her competitive choreography has gone on to win numerous Top Overall Awards, Title Winners, Specialty Awards; Best Choreography, Most Entertaining, and Defying Gravity to name a few. As well as coach to the 2018 Bronze Winners for all-male hip hop at the Dance Worlds 2018! In the last 5 years, Meghan’s studio has also been blessed to have won the community award for Best of Best Dance Studio for 3 years, with 1st runner-up one year. A full-time mother of two, dance instructor/choreographer, and studio owner! Meghan will not only teach your child to dance, but it is her mission in life to help raise good humans!
She has also recently embarked on a new journey with No, The Other Foot LLC. Specializing in dance accessories to enhance the dancer’s experience.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Now is my time to once again pivot. I will not stop dancing or teaching. It is my lifelong passion and love. I am in the process of putting in a home studio where I can assist those students with a genuine passion for dance who want to pursue it as a possible career. I have so much knowledge in this field and want to share that with as many wonderful people as I possibly can.
I am very jaded by people at the moment and I am once again learning how to trust. I will get there.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
My door is always open. I will always be upfront and honest with myself and my clients. I am sure that when I speak of something I have proof. The world has become a scary place with people hiding behind their phones and computers. I will prefer a face-to-face conversation over texting any day.
The business I am in is special. Children are involved. I do my best to keep an open mind, be transparent, accept when I am wrong, and apologize when needed. I cannot however control those people who do not do the same things. That’s where the waters become extremely muddy.
Contact Info:
- Website: notheotherfoot.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notheotherfoot/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090952196641
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-bowen-3a73952b/