Today we’d like to introduce you to Jada Gaither.
Jada, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It had always been a dream of mine to open my own dance studio. My mother supported my dreams by keeping me heavily involved in the dance world and making sure that I never gave up on my studies in dance throughout my childhood and collegiate career. In 2014, my mother passed away from a long fight with breast cancer. I was working at a bank and was extremely comfortable with my career. It was after my mother passed that I made the decision to pursue my dream and stop settling for what seemed to be comfortable. In March of 2014, I left my cushy job and started teaching dance in various studios, recreation facilities and schools. Although I enjoyed dancing and was building towards my future studio, I didn’t have enough money to support my living. I slept on my close friend’s couches but mostly, in my car for a year. I never wanted to let my friends know my circumstances because they would think that I was crazy for leaving my “good job”, so on most occasions, I would reside in my vehicle (a broken down Ford Escape that mysteriously ended up on its last leg when I left my banking job) and would prepare for the day at a Quicktrip.
That year, was tough to say the least. I questioned my decision to leave my job every day. The candid conversations with God happened more times than frequently and it was my only sense of sanity after leaving my gigs. Nonetheless, I was focused. Most of my dance relationships stemmed from this time period. Now that I think about it, this was probably the hardest task of them all. Keeping relationships with people who did not know my circumstances and trying to keep up with them was extremely difficult at times. I knew I had to attend the classes, show up to support the shows and recitals and sometimes even volunteer my services when I didn’t have anything in my pocket. Today marks the time where we see the light at the end of a long tunnel. The effort and work put in to make things happen have helped MoveWithAPurpose Dance to operate successfully.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It may not have been a “smooth” road, but this has definitely been a journey. Aside from being broke, I had to learn how not to be broken. Losing my biggest cheerleader was devastating. I guess I never gave myself time to fully heal before I made the big decision to step out and pursue my dream. This was my way of coping. In 2015, MoveWithAPurpose hosted its very first event. Tilts, Turns and Teacups was a dance forum for young dancers to express issues and how to collectively respond and resolve them through dance. No one showed. I was coaching a local high school dance team who helped me set up for the event. They were my audience. I was devastated and tucked MWAP away shortly afterward. I learned many lessons from that break and now. One major lesson was that on the good and bad days, God is still good. I couldn’t allow those times when I heard “no” so many times that I forgot what anything else sounded like or those times I was exhausted and still had more work to do to alter my praise.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about MoveWithAPurpose Dance – what should we know?
MoveWithAPurpose Dance is more than just a facility that teaches students how to dance. The main goal is to give kids a way to involve themselves in their communities through leadership and cognitive development in life skills. Students are challenged to think about the issues and concerns of today and figure out ways in which they can utilize their voice and talent to make a change. Our very structured curriculum is designed to give our students the opportunity to learn the history of dance in the disciplines of Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Modern and to compare their histories and stories to their current environment. It is always a pleasure to hear our MWAP students come into the classroom and tell us about issues that are taking place within their prospective schools and ask us how we can help to make a change. You can see the leadership in our students at an early age. They push themselves to limits that I can only admire. This is the fuel that keeps MoveWithaPurpose going.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My instructors and staff are amazing. Instructors TereLyn Jones, Sterling McClary and Trina Parks give me the artistic perspective I need in order to build our classes offered to our students. They saw the vision of MWAP early on and make sure that I am always connected to the right people, places and ideas to make better for the MWAP family. My staff Daejah Goode, Stephanie Bell and Bridget Watson are inspirational, always giving me that extra push to keep going. The start of MoveWithAPurpose Dance was pushed by a few mentors that I will forever be grateful for. CiCi Kelley of DareDreamDance has been my distant mentor for years. She was my very first keynote speaker at a MoveWithAPurpose event and shared her journey with instructing and being a light to children in the arts. I continue to hold her great spirit and love of the arts as an example and role model for both my business model as well as on a very personal level. Finally, my business mentor Antione Shabazz has educated me in business. Through many heated discussions and tears, he has given me the vision of growth in my business and insight on how to operate and manage the second time around.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mwapdance.com
- Phone: 678-870-4240
- Email: info@mwapdance.com
- Instagram: mwapdance
- Facebook: mwapdance
- Twitter: mwapdance
Image Credit:
Greg Jeffries
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