Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Washington.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been dancing since I was five years old. My mother put me in dance after I was diagnosed with ADHD. She realized that I needed an activity that involved me constantly moving while also challenging me mentally. I fell in love from the very first class and since then, I have never stopped dancing. In high school, I became a teacher’s assistant and I discovered my gift for teaching art. As I became an adult, I realized that I also have great people skills. I began to network and I was able to book other dancers for various shows and gigs, which led me to start Dynasty Dance Co LLC, a small boutique agency. I’ve booked dancers for live shows, tours, as well as both local and mainstream artists. Now I am on tour myself with 80’s Grammy nominated Artist Karyn White who recently promoted me to Dance Captain of her camp. I enjoy what I do with dance and now I have the opportunity to work other businesses as well. Through my faith, I have been inspired to start a Christian apparel line called N9NE Lives Christian apparel with my Fiancé. Our motto is, “Leave Your Past Behind, Start New Everyday.” We hope to encourage those around us to not let their past define them and to have a future full of hope and peace while also keeping God first. This has been a mantra for me through these past 5 years and I hope to inspire others to do the same.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The challenge of running multiple businesses and pursuing a dance career at the same time has definitely been a challenge. When I first moved to Atlanta in 2014 I had a dream of being successful in the entertainment industry, but I ended up getting pregnant in 2015 and my dream was derailed. For two years I was a single mom, running a business and trying to make ends meet. I got behind on my bills, my car was repossessed, and my credit cards went into collections. My money management was horrible. I couldn’t afford a gym membership to stay in shape so I got a job at the YMCA which gave me the opportunity to have a free membership and I could access their dance studio. I continued to work hard and audition for different opportunities. Eventually, I educated myself on how to better handle my money and my business and I dove back into fitness and health which prepared me for my first international gig.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Mainly, I am a professional dancer and actor in Atlanta. I choreograph for various artists and talents but my favorite part of my career is that I teach kids. I contract with Enrich Kids Now Inc, a non-profit organization that supplies enrichment teachers to schools in both Atlanta and Detroit. They are a mobile enrichment program so I am able to teach at several schools per week and I have recently been promoted to an admin position for contracting new locations for the organization. I am known in Atlanta for my choreography as well as my gift of teaching. I teach adult classes which I am always trying to grow and improve. In the acting world, I work on a different set 2 or more times a month. I’m mostly background and training for featured roles, but recently I’ve begun to write my own content which I hope to debut in the next couple of months. One thing that sets me apart is that I am versatile in my craft. I am a trained dancer, but I have a gift of teaching that empowers others to be better dancers and performers, whether they are professional or not.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Books I love right now are Audition by Michael Shurtleff, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, and my favorite, The Holy Bible. one of my favorite business Podcasts is The 6-figure creative podcast and T-Shirt Millionaires. I also love any youtube videos about business and entrepreneurship.
Pricing:
- Private lessons $60/hr and up
- T-Shirts $28 and up
- Hoodies $45 and up
- Choreography $120 and up
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jessilee_llc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@journeywithjessi8676
Image Credits
The first image (headshot) was taken by Terrance K. of Memory maker Photography. The picture with me holding the apples were taken by Britney Miles of Milestones Images LLC. the action short was taken by an unknown person. All other photos were taken on my personal phone or camera.
