Today we’d like to introduce you to Nakia Jefferson.
Hi Nakia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I always loved to dance, but I didn’t know that I loved to dance until January 2022. As a dancer since the age of 4, now 24, I can officially say that I love to dance so much that I created an opportunity to do it every day! Although I’ve been dancing all my life, the dance teacher in me was developed the summer before my first year of high school. I was attending Expressions Dance of Jacksonville summer camp on Main St, and now old enough to be a camp counselor, I was given small roles to assist in teaching and choreographing dances. In my senior year, I became the ballet and tap instructor for beginners ages 3-5 while taking 3-4 dance classes. During this time, I was also captain of Andrew Jackson’s Tiger Sensations, and I did not mention this was all happening during my senior year of high school! So early in my dance journey, I learned discipline, time management, patience, leadership, performance skills, and much more!
Fast forward to spring 2016, and it’s my second semester at Florida A&M University. With so many dance teams to choose from, I tested a few glasses of water but found my home with the Diamonds of FAMU. This majorette/HBCU style dance team taught me so much about the majorette and HBCU dance world and played a big part in my dance style today.
In 2017 I became the President of the Diamonds of FAMU, where I danced and maintained my position until I graduated in May 2019. After graduating, I moved back to Jacksonville and became an assistant coach for the dancers at Riverside High.
Fast forward to Fall 2020, I was offered the position of dance coach for the Ladies of Grace at Terry Parker. During this time and the next year, I continued to pursue my initial fitness business but began to lose interest in what I was doing. This was when I realized that I loved to dance, enjoyed teaching, choreographing routines, and most of all, watching dancers improve and reach their full potential.
So towards the end of 2021, God told me to take my business in another direction, but I wasn’t exactly sure where that was. In January 2022, a really good friend supporting my fitness business confirmed what I had been hearing from God; this is when Unlock through Dance was born. My newest baby, Unlock through Dance, is a traveling dance training service that provides in-person and virtual Majorette/HBCU style dance classes, group or private basic dance training, audition prep, choreography for performances, and more. My mission is to help women Unlock their confidence and presence and have fun through dance!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This journey as an entrepreneur has had its ups and downs. From fear paralyzing me to start to not knowing when the next check would come, this lifestyle will humble you quickly! My first biggest struggle was offering my expertise and services for free, knowing I was worth so much more. That changed quickly after realizing bills had to be paid. My second struggle surfaced when I began comparing my journey to everyone else. Since social media plays a big part in my marketing, posting began feeling like a chore instead of fun. Watching dance coaches and instructors who do what I do cause fear to rise and made me believe that what I was doing wasn’t good enough and no one would come to my classes. I’ve learned to love my style and every part of my coaching that makes me unique. Through every struggle, God continued to show me why he has to be number one in my business and every part of my life. Big or small, I never let my struggles stop me from moving forward with my dream.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Unlock through Dance is a dance training service that offers open-level in-person and virtual majorette/HBCU dance classes, group or private dance training, audition prep, choreography for performances, and more! My available level classes allow individuals to not focus on technique or flexibility but instead focus on learning, having fun, and showcasing their skills. My group and private training dig deep into learning the dancers on and off the floor, allowing the dancer to unlock a new level of confidence, technique, and flexibility and allowing dancers to network and reach other dancers worldwide. I’m most proud of the individuals who have trained with me and had success, whether competing, making the team, or becoming a better dancer overall.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting?
For all my current entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs:
1. Keep God first In everything you do and every decision you make!
2. Don’t let fear paralyze you from starting or being consistent in whatever you do.
3. Stop comparing yourself! created you with that gift for a reason. Use it!
Contact Info:
- Website: KiPhysique.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nakiaaj_/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000634520343
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCXzNZubmdI9cJnNGH–OukQ
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nakiaaj_
