Today we’d like to introduce you to Keila Harvey.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Started dancing at age 3 when my mom took me to see The Nutcracker and I told her I wanted to do that! I danced professionally for a few years, but it was always my dream to own my own studio, so when my mom became terminally ill, I expedited my dream so that I could show her before she left here, that I did it! Thank God, she was able to at least see my business license and studio rental agreement while she was in the hospital before she passed.
My studio opened in 2005, so it’s been operating for 13 years! And my sister and I just started a new podcast: Sistahs That Dance Podcast, available on iTunes or wherever you listen to your podcasts!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not having my mom here to help me (emotionally, financially, physically) with running a studio, I have really had to learn a lot on my own. Of course, I pray a lot for guidance and my husband, BJ, and my sister, Karla who is also a professional dancer and dance teacher, help me a lot!
Also, I have my stepdad, studio-staff, and friends that are amazing! I sometimes say I don’t deserve them! They are that awesome!
Gift of Dance Studio – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Gift of Dance Studio teaches boys & girls from 2-62 years old. We have all forms of dance, from the traditional ballet to hip hop and even salsa, and everything in between! It makes me so proud to see our babies, who I trained from the time they started walking/dancing, receiving college-dance scholarships and getting booked for dance gigs, like tv series and even dance gigs on Sesame Street!
This is validation that our school not only provides friendships, fitness, and fun, but quality dance instruction that they can use to become marketable in the competitive dance industry!
Contact Info:
- Address: 209 Mcdonough Parkway
Mcdonough, GA 30253 - Website: Giftofdancestudio.com
- Phone: 770-914-0023
- Email: giftofdancestudio@hotmail.com
Image Credit:
Keiko Guest, Deborah Parham
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