We recently connected with TYNAIZAH WATTS and have shared our conversation below.

Hi TYNAIZAH, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

The crazy part is I’ve always dreamed of being a dance studio owner. At the age of 9 my 2nd grade school teacher enrolled me in an actual dance studio. I learned the basics of dance then and soon started working in the studio to help pay my tuition fees and costume fees. I studied my dance instructor from how he ran the classes to how he collected the invoices for clients. I wanted to be everything like him. Any time I had a chance to lead the class I would take full advantage of the opportunity. Fast forward to my early twenties I started putting together workshops in public parks to help my community stay fit through exercise dance sessions. Everyone kept stating I needed to start my business and look into spaces to rent out. I did my research and found a business launcher program that helped me learn the ropes of starting a business and within that month of graduating from the program I found a community center with a vacant dance studio space and began renting it out. Word travelled fast and before I knew it I had 15 youth dancers signed up to learn ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and modern dance techniques. The first couple months were not easy when it came to the business side of things. I started receiving payments late and had to start coming out of pocket to pay for the dance studio. I knew that because I was based in an urban community money would be an issue to keep students attending so I started a go fund me to help keep the classes going and help students who weren’t able to pay the monthly fees. My community helped me out a great deal. I was able to purchase stage equipment and dance costumes for our first annual dance recital. It turned out to be a success. Word spread once again and now I am partnered with the YMCA teaching classes at their center. Although I am still not the owner of my own dance studio space. I feel like I am so much closer to achieving my goal.

TYNAIZAH, 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 brand is unique in a sense because I am not the ideal dance studio. Yes dance is the focus but I also provide tutoring sessions and hold my students to the expectations of receiving B+ average grades. This not only helps the parents but my students as well. I can’t promote talent without education. The academics will be needed if they choose to further their careers in dance by joining companies or even choosing dance as a major in highschool or college. I built my brand from word of mouth I started just giving workshops in aftercare centers and set up tables at community events to spread the word that I was giving affordable dance classes to the youth. I started social media profiles and everyone started sharing my content. The things I am most proud of is all my dancers starting off having no dance background knowledge but completing my class with so much experience and education they keep joining the sessions. That makes me know I am doing something right when there is repeat business and they also bring referrals.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me has been the workshops. I go to the local after school programs and request to do a free workshop to get students engaged. After the class I meet with parents to introduce myself and provide my dance location and times. Students tend to do the work for me in school settings as well by spreading the word in classes or I’ll get e-mails from their teachers explaining how they’ve been practicing during recess which grabs a lot of the other students attention. Last year we participated in the cities local festivals and performed numbers. I have not spent any funding on advertising as of yet it’s all been word of mouth.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that my business would take off within my first year. I had to learn that I’d be pouring in more time and money during my beginning stages and wouldn’t see a return right away.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Mtcdanceproduction
• Facebook: MTC Dance Production