Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Jaussi.
Hi Lauren, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started formal dance classes when I was 4 years old, and from then on, I knew I wanted to own a dance studio when I grew up. Throughout my childhood, I continued dancing, was an assistant teacher, and in leadership on my high school’s dance team. I landed my first teaching job at 17, in the city where I would be attending college. I taught for several years while working on my college degree in dance and business. When my husband and I landed in Palm Coast, we knew it was time to start a studio of our own. He did all the official paperwork, and all of a sudden, my life-long dream was realized! It was very surreal to finally be a dance studio owner–especially since I had just given birth to my first baby only 3 months prior!
Our first location was at the Belle Terre Swim & Racquet club in their portable/trailer. We were teaching about 30 dancers a week. Very shortly after, we had to relocate and were holding classes at Roma Court. Over the summer, we held camps and classes at Rymfire Elementary. That fall, we were holding classes in 3 different locations to accommodate our families: Rymfire, Roma Court, and the Palm Coast Aquatics Center. It was wild! But thankfully, we had already been working on a building of our own. Before we even celebrated our first year in business, we had moved into and were holding classes in our absolutely beautiful brand-new building! At our first Spring Showcase, we held just over 100 dancers on stage. As I write this, we now have over 300 students and have acquired the unit next to our original facility, so we can have more space to teach! It has truly been a humbling and exciting experience. I am so grateful to be able to serve so many incredible members of our community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh my gosh, no. As previously mentioned, we had to move locations multiple times just within the first year. Finding a location of our own that we weren’t sub-leasing was a struggle as well. It was like finding a needle in a haystack, finding a location that worked for us and we really lucked out!
I have made so many mistakes in my first nearly 4 years of business and I know I’m going to make more. On the bright side, those mistakes have taught me lessons that have already helped prevent other mistakes. Pleasing people is hard work, especially when you’re a people-pleaser, because you unfortunately can’t please everyone. I’ve had to learn to set boundaries and do what’s best for my business, my staff, my family and myself!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We teach dance technique and concepts to dancers of literally all ages. We start with babies at 3 months in mommy-and-me classes, and even offer adult classes. Flagler County has a lot of “former” dancers who want to return to dance or share it with their families. We are proud to be able to do so. We also don’t participate in competitions, and solely focus on the joy of movement, and celebrate our dancers with one major performance each spring. We keep our curriculum and choreography wholesome and age-appropriate, which a lot of our parents thank us for!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/thedancemethodfl
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedancemethodfl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedancemethodfl
