We recently connected with Meleka Simon and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Meleka, thanks for joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

This is a difficult question to answer because owning a business is truly a nonstop rollercoaster. What makes the choice easier is that teaching—especially teaching dance—isn’t just my profession; it’s my passion.

There have been countless moments when I’ve asked myself, “What in the world am I doing?” or “Why did I choose this path?” Those thoughts usually come during the difficult seasons, the exhausting days, or when the weight of leadership feels especially heavy.

What I’ve learned over the years is that whenever I start to feel discouraged, overwhelmed, or ready to throw in the towel, God always seems to place a reminder in my path. Sometimes it’s a sweet note from a student, an encouraging text from a dance parent, watching a staff member connect with a dancer, seeing a new student walk through our doors, or watching longtime students continue to show up with the same excitement and energy they had years ago. Those moments remind me why I started, and they make every challenge worth it.

To be honest, there have been many days when the business side of studio ownership made me wish I could simply be a dance teacher without carrying the responsibility of running an entire organization. This year, I had the opportunity to experience that perspective when I accepted a position at Lakeview Centennial High School as the Dance Magnet Director and Director of the Dance Company and Dance Ensemble. While I still get to do what I love every day—teach dance—I now navigate a different system with its own expectations, responsibilities, and challenges.

Ironically, that experience has given me an even greater appreciation for studio ownership. It has reminded me of the freedom, creativity, and impact that come with building something of your own and creating a culture that reflects your values and vision.

Owning a studio is without question one of the hardest things I have ever done. It requires sacrifice, resilience, faith, and a willingness to keep showing up even when things are difficult. But it has also been one of the most rewarding journeys of my life. Despite the challenges, I would choose this path again every single time.

Meleka, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Meleka Simon, and I am the Owner and Artistic Director of Destiny Devoted Dance Studio, a dance studio I founded in 2016 that just celebrated its 10th season. I am also the Dance Magnet Director at Lakeview Centennial High School, where I also direct both the Dance Company and Dance Ensemble. Between my studio and school programs, I have dedicated more than 27 years of my life to dance education, choreography, mentorship, and helping young people discover who they are through the arts.

I found dance as a teenager. At 16 years old I walked into a dance class hoping to gain skills to help me reach a school goal, and dance became life goal. What started as a love for movement and performance eventually grew into a calling to teach and serve others. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Child Development from the University of North Texas and later completed a Master’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Life Coaching. Those experiences helped shape the way I approach dance education. While I absolutely care about strong technique and artistic excellence, I care just as much about the person each dancer is destined to become. Our impact in their lives goes beyond the classroom and beyond dance steps.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to train with and learn from some incredible industry professionals, receiving scholarships to study in places such as New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. I also spent five seasons performing and choreographing with the Dallas Dance Company. I been blessed to experience working in television, background dancing, background singing, corporate events, concerts, and commercials. Those experiences gave me a strong technical and artistic foundation, but my greatest passion has always been teaching.

In addition to teaching, I’m and adjudicator for national dance competitions. This allows me to pour verbally into each dancer, dance studio, and groups that graces the stage. One role I love and take seriously is I’m the Culture Coordinator for Julie Kay Mastermind Company. Through this role, I have the opportunity invest in the lives of studio owners and dance teachers across the country. I’m so privileged to share on this platform, help all of us in this industry thrive, and impress upon my fellow collegues to advocate for a safe, supportive, and fun enviroments for our students to thrive in.

At Destiny Devoted Dance Studio, we provide dance education for students of all ages and abilities, offering classes, performance opportunities, competition teams, and mentorship in a positive and encouraging environment. While we train dancers in a variety of styles, our mission extends far beyond dance. We are committed to helping students develop confidence, discipline, resilience, character, leadership skills, and a strong sense of self-worth.

One of the biggest problems I believe we solve is helping young people find a place where they feel seen, valued, and supported. The world can be incredibly challenging for children and teenagers. Many struggle with confidence, comparison, anxiety, and the pressure to fit in. We intentionally create an environment where students are encouraged to work hard, embrace their individuality, celebrate one another, and understand that their value is not determined by a trophy, title, or social media following.

I believe what sets DDD apart is our culture. We strive to create a true village. Our families, staff, and students support one another through victories, challenges, milestones, and life changes. Excellence matters to us, but relationships matter just as much. We want our students to leave our studio as great people who happen to be great dancers, not simply great dancers.

Of all my accomplishments, I am most proud of the impact we’ve made on the lives of our students. Awards, scholarships, titles, and successful performances are wonderful, but the moments that mean the most are hearing former students tell me that something they learned in our studio helped them navigate college, pursue a dream, overcome a challenge, or become more confident in who they are. Those stories remind me why this work matters.

If there is one thing I want people to know about me and my brand, it is that everything we do is rooted in purpose. Faith, service, community, excellence, diversity, and genuine care for people are at the heart of who we are. Dance is the vehicle, but developing confident, compassionate, hardworking individuals is the destination.

Ten years ago, I simply wanted to create a place where children could learn to dance and feel loved, feel seen, feel hear, gained a sense of belonging. Today, I am incredibly grateful that God has allowed that vision to grow into a community that continues to impact so many families. That, more than anything else, is what I am most proud of.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale starts with understanding that culture is not something that simply happens, it is something that must be intentionally created, nurtured, and protected.

This belief has become such an important part of my leadership philosophy that I not only teach it at Destiny Devoted Dance, but at Lakeview and as I serve as the Culture Coordinator for the Julie Kay Mastermind. JKM is a coaching and mentorship organization that supports dance studio owners and educators across the country. In that role, I help develop resources, trainings, and conversations centered around communication, leadership, team culture, studio culture and creating positive environments where both teachers and students can thrive.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a business owner and leader is that people want to feel valued. While compensation, policies, and expectations are important, team members are far more likely to stay engaged when they know they are seen, appreciated, and respected. I try to make sure my staff knows that they matter not only for what they do, but for who they are.

Communication is another key component of maintaining a healthy team culture. Clear expectations eliminate confusion, while consistent communication builds trust. I’ve found that many team challenges stem from assumptions, misunderstandings, or a lack of clarity. As leaders, we can’t assume people know what we’re thinking. We have to communicate our vision, expectations, and appreciation regularly.

I also believe that accountability and encouragement must coexist. A positive culture does not mean avoiding difficult conversations. In fact, strong teams require honest feedback and high standards. The key is creating an environment where people know corrections come from a desire to help them grow, not to tear them down. When team members feel supported, they are more willing to accept feedback and rise to expectations.

Another important factor is leading by example. Team members pay far more attention to what leaders do than what they say. If I expect commitment, positivity, professionalism, and resilience from my staff, I have to model those qualities myself. Culture is often a reflection of leadership.

Finally, I think it’s important to celebrate wins—both big and small. In busy seasons, it’s easy to move from one task to the next without stopping to acknowledge progress. Taking time to recognize effort, growth, and accomplishments reminds people that their work matters and contributes to something meaningful.

At the end of the day, high morale is built when people feel connected to a purpose larger than themselves. When individuals understand the mission, feel valued by the team, and know their contributions make a difference, they are far more likely to remain motivated, engaged, and invested in the organization’s success.

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

I believe my reputation has been built on a combination of consistency, authenticity, positivity and genuinely caring about people.

In an industry that is constantly changing, I have learned that trust is earned over time. For more than 27 years, I have had the privilege of teaching, mentoring, choreographing, and leading students and families. Throughout that journey, I have tried to remain committed to the same core values: faith, excellence, integrity, service, and creating a positive impact on the lives of others.

One of the things that has helped build my reputation is that I have never viewed dance as simply teaching steps or preparing students for performances. Dance is the vehicle, but people are the purpose. Whether I am working with a preschool dancer taking their first class, a competitive dancer pursuing big goals, a high school student preparing for the next chapter of life, or a fellow studio owner seeking guidance, my focus is always on helping people grow in confidence, character, and capability.

I also believe consistency matters. Families want to know what you stand for and what they can expect from you. Over the years, I have worked hard to create an environment where students feel challenged, supported, and valued. While our programs have grown and evolved, our commitment to serving students and families with excellence has remained the same.

Another factor has been relationships. Many of the opportunities I’ve received throughout my career have come from relationships built over years of trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. I believe in supporting others, celebrating their successes, and contributing positively to the dance community rather than viewing others as competition.

Perhaps most importantly, I have tried to lead with authenticity. I don’t pretend to have all the answers, and I certainly haven’t done everything perfectly. I’ve experienced challenges, setbacks, and lessons learned along the way. But I believe people connect with leaders who are genuine, approachable, and willing to grow.

When I look back, I don’t think my reputation was built through any single accomplishment, award, or milestone. It was built through thousands of small moments, showing up consistently, treating people well, honoring my commitments, and staying focused on the mission God placed in front of me. If people think highly of me or my work today, I hope it’s because they know I genuinely care about the people I serve and the impact we are making together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.destinydevoteddance.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dance_triple_d/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Destiny-Devoted-Dance-Studio-61560532743627/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn06ueQ3bQEGRjQGYRVg68g

Image Credits

Lavontase Strickland