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

Nicole , appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Taking a risk…

Moving at age 13 from New York to Sarasota, FL. I have to say I was scared. Scared that I wouldn’t fit in, not be able to find a new dance studio to call home, and start a new school. My parents said “you’ll be fine Nicole. This will prepare you for when you’re older even more” Boy were they right. That scared girl took a risk after being an Assistant Director of a local after school dance program, and instructor to 3 local studios in Sarasota. I took the risk of opening up my own dance studio… Mystical’s Dance Company. The name coming from a previous dancer…. Miss Nicole said quickly.. “Mystical” I started in a gym one night a week, to moving locations to a 1.200 sq ft. building to now a 4,000 sq ft building offering classes ages 2-Adult.

I’m so thankful to have taken the risk to become my own boss, but more importantly learn what it truly was that I wanted out of my own business that I wasn’t receiving with only being an Instructor.

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

I started at the age of 3 in Long Island, New York. Just like any child, I explored other sports but always had a love for dance. I simply loved dancing to as many songs as possible in all different types of styles.

Now at 38 years of age, being a mother, studio owner and instructor, I am blessed that my 3 year old self never stopped loving dance and pursued her passion for dance. It has helped me grow as a studio owner… learning to balance life, responsibilities, and to always dance through the hardships of life.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I would say the best and most effective strategy for growing clientele is simply the least expensive way… WORD OF MOUTH! Sarasota is huge but yet so small. It’s crazy how many kids, adults, and their grand-kids I’ve taught in Sarasota. I love being able to know and hear stories that my previous dancers are doing so well, some with families of their own, others as dance teachers, and living their life in New York, Miami, Chicago and LA, being dancers. To know the growth that you’ve played as their Instructor/mentor is the biggest and best reward of them all!

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

The best advice I can give for managing a team and maintaining high morale is keeping things FAIR! Making sure everyone knows that they are all important to you and no family is more important than the other. I try my hardest as a Studio Owner to live by the words “Treat others the way you would want to be treated!” As any business owner, it’s so important to make sure the clientele you have is a true representation of what you want your business to be. The people that make up your business, need to be positive, and make sure they stand what you want in your business as well!       

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mysticalsdancecompany.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MysticalsDanceCompany