We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shay Williamson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shay below.

Alright, Shay thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Any advice for creating a more inclusive workplace?

As a queer woman in business ownership I have experienced more than enough exclusivity personally. I have spent the last decade trying to mitigate that for my own businesses and to ensure that not only are we treating all employees ( and clients) fairly; but we are creating space for those who may fit into a marginalized community. My advice to anyone who is looking to do this is to go out of your way to to seek these marginalized communities out, listen to their town halls/zoom meeting/etc. Make sure you are creating a welcoming space for them without tokenizing them. Be loud. There is no such thing as silent supporters. There simply is not.

As mentioned previously, there have been ample times in my career where I have been treated unfairly, overlooked, patronized, or told I was a “b***” for speaking up. I have had to defend myself as a woman entrepreneur, pay more, fight harder to be seen, heard and respected than would even fit into this page. From negotiating and signing leases, to event pricing, to even being told I don’t understand the language is being used.
The more I fight and make a name for myself, the less this happens. But I would like to point out that no femme presenting person should have to fight ” dragons” and wear ” armor” to be respected.

* Important to note* For as many of the above mentioned moments I have had, there have been all kinds of people on my side, fighting with me. hearing and respecting me. I do not want to forget these people.

Shay, 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 Shay Williamson. I am the owner (along with my spouse) of Utah’s largest pole, aerial, and circus studios- Kairos Fitness. I own a vegan Minimalistic grip aid and skin care company for circus people Called Dew Point Products, an online clothing company for every body called PoleActive. And I am the founder of an international Aerial competition and showcase called Aerialympics ( have since sold to wonderful friends of mine). I am the producer of many types of circus shows, our 2 largest are Sin Circus, Utah’s spiciest Professional circus show! ( IMO and according to the reviews, the best in the Mountain West- better than Vegas) And WORTHY- A circus with a cause, a charity show that benefits The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention- Utah Chapter. In 4 years of WORTHY we have raised over $65,000 for AFSP-Utah. I am a performer, with gigs all over the world in many different settings. And most importantly to my heart, an instructor. I love sharing my love of circus with anyone who will take class with me! Teaching at both my studios and around the world brings me the most joy!

How did I get in to all this? Well- the short answer is that I am a very stubborn human. I want the things I love and I will do everything to keep them around me.
The longer answer- I had just moved back to Utah and my mom had a groupon for a pole dancing class, she asked me to attend with her. ( I have been a dancer and performer my whole life) After the first class, I was hooked! I bought a pass immediately and never looked back! Within 6 months I was teaching at that studio. A few months into teaching the studio owner told me she was going to close doors on New Years day and asked if I wanted to take over. (Mix in some poor decision making, some tax fraud on the other end, some trials and tribulations, a lot of quick learning on my end and so on) And in a few months I had my own studio. I loved the space and the people so much that I couldn’t handle having it go away. This was the beginning of it all.

I suppose the main problem that I solve on the daily is being a business owner in the arts, where money is not usually respected, while providing a highly specific skill that takes lots of training and safety precautions are required and trying to keep the price affordable for everyone. I feel that myself and my team have done a very good job at mitigating this and we absolutely provide the most in every category for your money. We provide a safe and radically inclusive space for every type of person to come and learn and explore circus in their own way at their own pace. Here in the circus, you are family. We celebrate you as you are and your goals along the way.

Any advice for managing a team?

All of these questions are amazing and if the time comes I would love to sit down and answer more than 2 of them for {you.}

I take so much pride in my team! Not only have they been so graceful to me when I have mis-stepped and fallen down, we have been through building new spaces, losing old spaces, hires, fires, GLOBAL PANDEMICS, celebrations, losses and so much more. I honestly owe everything to me team and I never want them to forget that.

From day one I have stressed open communication. I am here from the good, bad, and the ugly. Even if I am the one that needs a talking to. I have stressed the importance of them being on the ” ground floor” so to speak, so if they see a need or an issue, it will absolutely be taken care of because I cannot see everything. I have created anonymous feedback forms for the times they perhaps do not want to come directly to me and management with their issues and concerns. I have promised ( and executed on the promises- That is important) That no one will be in ” trouble” for speaking the truth as long as we meet each other with respect.
I have what we call a ” Mischief Manager” ( instead of a stuffy HR person) She helps keep staff on track with goals and tasks, does checkins, and helps create a small space between the scariness of the ” employee – owner” line. Because sometimes, it just feels like too much to bring issues to a business owner and I can absolutely understand that.

We have small meetings as often as needed and a full staff meeting 2 times a year. Employees are allowed to make suggestions and updates to policies and curriculum at these meetings. We also have periodic staff hang parties and events.
I essentially aim to treat them like they are share holders in the studio- because they really are when it comes down to it. People attend the studio BECAUSE of the staff. They are the stars of the show!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

This can answer 2 in 1! Because social media is largely how my studio generates business and grows clientele as well!

I firmly believe that word of mouth is one of the best things a small business can do for itself! Tag your business all the time, make super simple and fun videos inside your space. Shout out employees. Encourage EVERYONE to tag the business. I created a hashtag for our studio to use, I put it on merch and the walls in the studio and everywhere. In the beginning we ran easy contests for short memberships. I personally post ” edgy” things and it directs people to the business. I want people to know you can be radically conservative and radically liberal at Kairos and we love you all the same! I DO what I say our studio is about and i put it online. This in many ways leads the way for instructors and students to do the same. If they see the owner of their studio dancing in teeny tiny shorts and proudly putting it online, and also rolling around on the floor in sweats 3 sizes too big- then this acts as an ok, to as we say at kairos, come and ” make it weird!” and they will tell their friends. They absolutely will. Post often, and varied. Encourage others to post often, run a contest for a product- people love free stuff. Spotlight your students/clients and staff. Tag the crap out of the business

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dancekairos.com www.dewpointproducts.com www.poleactive.com ( I mostly discussed kairos in this form)
• Instagram: @kairosfitness @dewpointproducts @poleactive – shameless plug @shayshay0211
• Facebook: /kairosfitness /shayshay.williamson

Image Credits
Dan Amezcua B. Miles Sugar rush Boudoir