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

Nico, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the toughest things about entrepreneurship is that there is almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

This fourth year of business ownership has been my most humbling one yet. I went from proudly operating three locations to intentionally consolidating down to one. It was not the plan I had on my vision board, although I am pretty sure the universe enjoys reminding entrepreneurs that vision boards are suggestions, not contracts – speaking of which – I have learned. my fair about those too.
The shift forced me to confront my own naivete. I learned, in real time, that not everyone has your business’ best interests at heart, even when they sound supportive. That realization stung, but it sharpened my instincts and my standards.
I also got crystal-clear about the kind of leader and business owner I refuse to become. Instead of clinging to a path simply because I started on it, I chose to pivot. That decision has brought me back to alignment with my values, my purpose, and the future I am building.
It has been a year of pruning, not failure. I’ve been referring to it as, “the year of sacred subtraction”. It is Year of the Snake, after all. We’re shedding what’s not in our best interest and that can include relationships, mindsets, and even business locations. I feel lighter, wiser, and more grounded. Sometimes growth looks like expansion. Sometimes it looks like choosing quality over quantity and betting on a stronger foundation for what comes next.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I became a mom at nineteen, which means my crash course in adulthood arrived early and without a syllabus. Motherhood taught me grit, patience, and that caffeine is a legitimate love language. It also lit a fire in me to build a life rooted in purpose and empowerment, not just survival.
Fast forward. I earned my master’s in psychology with a focus on gender and sexuality, and I work as a social worker. I care deeply about identity, healing, and the messy, beautiful process of becoming who you really are. I also happen to be a witch. For me that means intuition, ritual, and a little sparkle of rebellion against anything that tries to shrink us.
Pole dancing showed up in my life almost thirteen years ago and changed everything. I danced on and off, including time working in clubs, and I learned that sensuality, strength, and self expression are not luxuries. They are medicine. Pole gave me ownership over my body, my identity, and my power. It also gave me community, which eventually grew into something much bigger.
Today I am the founder of Selenite Studio, a community centered pole and dance space in Littleton, Colorado. We have launched sister studios in Wheat Ridge and Parker, and each space has its own evolving identity. Selenite is not just a studio. It is a sanctuary for people who are reclaiming confidence, discovering joy, and doing it in good company. We host events, donation drives, scholarships, travel adventures, and even free classes for survivors of sexual assault in partnership with The Blue Bench. Movement matters. Community matters. Both together create magic.
What sets us apart is simple. We do pole, but we are not just a pole studio. We are a place to shed shame, find strength, and laugh while you learn to spin upside down without taking out a light fixture. I am proud of the people who walk through our doors and the community they have built with me. My mission is to help folks feel powerful in their bodies, rooted in who they are, and connected to something real.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Honestly, word of mouth has been our greatest superpower. We have never paid for advertising. Our community grows because people feel seen, supported, and strong here, and they tell their friends. That means a lot to me, because it says we are building something real, not just running campaigns. Pair that with genuine Google reviews from folks who have lived the experience, and we have created a reputation that speaks louder than any ad budget ever could.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Absolutely. The Go-Giver had a huge impact on me. My dear friend and fellow business owner Bren Bigelow handed it to me at a moment I really needed validation that leading with heart is not naïve, it is strategic. That book reinforced something I felt in my bones: you can build a thriving business by being generous, community minded, and value driven. It helped me zoom out, trust my instincts, and stay aligned with the bigger picture instead of getting lost in hustle-culture noise.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.selenitestudio.com
• Instagram: @selenitestudio.co