Today we’d like to introduce you to LaTodda Wallace Humphries.
LaTodda, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m a 29 year old with a vision. It all started at Cedar Grove Middle School in Decatur, GA in 2003 when I was introduced to the step world. I was in 6th grade when I auditioned to be a part of the CGMS Wildcats Step Team. Damn, I didn’t make it. 7th grade year made the team and my 8th grade year I was captain of the step team. Middle school was over and I was excited about joining the high school team. What the hell, Cedar Grove High school did not have a step team so; I started the step team at CGHS. Damn, I got kicked off the team due to my grades in 9th grade. At this point, I’m over it. I started dancing majorette. Then BOOM all hell broke loose and my majorette coach Crystal became my mom. My childhood was a wreck and my focus had shifted. Crystal was a young woman and a new college student, but Crystal’s family became mine. Although I liked majorette with my coach Crystal, I loved stepping so I went back to my first love, but I had to attend a different school but ended up dropping out of high school going house to house trying to survive. That 2009 graduation was not for me.
In 2012, I met my husband Phillip; he showed me love like I never had before. I also started my own traveling step company called (STS) Step Team Studio. I rented out a building for a few hours to host my step team open house. I did little to no promotion under the impression that I am well known in the step world and the kids will come. The day of open house cocky as I was and ready to step my heart out. It started to rain and thunder my ego was still expecting a great turn out. Doors opened and four kids came. I was so depressed, I felt ashamed and I felt as little as a mustard seed. I cried in Phillip’s arms and thought at this point, I want to become a housewife. Phillip has standards and I just knew I wanted to marry this man. Then he said he has to have an educated woman. Only if you could see my face, GED here I come. I received my GED in 2013 and enrolled at Georgia State University major in early childhood education in 2014. Phillip and I had our first kid together, Ayden Humphries. In 2015, I married Mr. Phillip became Mrs. Humphries. In 2016, Phillip and I had our first daughter Nyala Humphries. I met my family goals and I needed to set my career goals. The only career I saw was in stepping but how?
I was 24 years old and told myself I will get my own studio by 32 years old. I have a gift to entertain and excel in creative dance and creative steps. So, I became a touring choreography coach with my company STS and have created/worked with teams in Clayton, Coweta, DeKalb, Fayetteville, and Fulton County areas in the state of Georgia. I then started working at a charter school as a Kindergarten paraprofessional. I started the step team at this school and I use to sit in the classroom writing down my goals for my studio. I remember saying God I want to be in my own studio. I don’t want to sit at this desk for a long time-dated September 2016. Things were going well THEN BOOM. I got laid off due to low enrollment at the charter school and they no longer wanted the step team to continue. Let’s just say when I left the steppers followed. One of my stepper parents Mrs. Lambkin had a dance studio in Decatur, GA, and opened her studio to my girls and I. The conversation went like this, “You can use my studio and here’s the key.” At this point, I just knew I was on the right path and God was leading me.
On October 14, 2016, DSSD Studio was established. October 29, 2016, was my first open house. I was so afraid, I thought the worst and I didn’t want to feel failure all over again. That Saturday morning, I got up, I prayed and by the end of the day, I had 73 girls. I then knew I had greatness in me. I knew this time around would be different because I was mentally, physically, and spiritually ready to be who God predestined me to be. I then saved up my money and invested in my own studio at 26 years old in January 2017. DSSD ‘s first year was everything. Mr. Rock -T with the Rickey Smiley Morning show reached out and we filmed with the production company and DSSD landed a spot on the Rickey Smiley For Real Show. My touring point has ended and now begins at DSSD STUDIO.
In 2018, DSSD became Your Favorite Studio and I became your Fave Coach. The DSSD and Fave brand has girls all around the world calling to be a part of our DSSD Family. We have been asked to start our own step team reality show with different production companies and have worked with many celebrities. DSSD has traveled to 12 different states within two years in the USA competing and national, state, and local competitions holding first place titles in Elementary, Middle, and High School Division. It’s now 2020 and DSSD has the biggest following in the youth step. Now my family goals and career goals for DSSD have been met I’m now on to a new journey.
I didn’t allow my past to determine my future. I just took away what hurts the most. What hurts the most is being called LaTodda. The name that was given to me is the name with so much pain and hurt behind it. LaTodda is stuck back in 2012. My name is Wallace Humphries also known as your Fave Coach. I’m a wife, a mother, and an entrepreneur that rocks. To add on from my DSSD Studio goals, I am now the owner/ creative director for Fave Academy Private School. Founder of Delta Sigma Sigma Delta Sorority Inc.(DSSD). I am founder of the WANPAE Foundation Worry About Nothing Pray About Everything and owner of Kool Kid Spa coming Fall 2020.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The struggle is real. The crazy part is I never had to struggle with getting members. My struggles have always been personal.
The struggle of being a wife, mother, and owning multiple businesses is a lot. My Husband Phillip wanted a full-time wife and my kids wanted a full-time mother but I wanted a full-time dream. From 2016-2019 DSSD has had my full attention. But COVID 19 saved my life. Spending time with my family has been the best thing for my soul.
The other struggle is people from my past. Funny how they can’t respect my accomplishments.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Originally wins and I am the winner. I’m more proud of my team that have been with me since 2016. They have my heart through the good and the bad, and they are still with me. What sets DSSD apart is our vibe. God is in everything we do and we make it known.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Phillip Humphries My husband – Being a husband to me when I wasn’t focused on being a wife to you. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for loving me harder when I pushed away.
Ayden & Nyala Humphries Kids – Thank you for loving me when I was too busy loving and teaching someone’s kids. The nights I didn’t come home and the days I wasn’t being a mom when I was too busy being a coach.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Phillip Humphries My husband – Thank you for being a husband to me when I wasn’t focus to be a wife to you. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for loving me harder when I pushed away. God definitely assigned you to my life. #Lifepartner
Ayden & Nyala Humphries Kids – Thank you for loving me when I was to busy loving and teaching someone’s kids. The nights I didn’t come home and the days I wasn’t being a mom when I was to busy being a coach.
Tiffany Howard Studio Manager – Thank you for protecting my energy and being a down ass friend. Thank you for being a great role model as a wife. I look up to you.
Jamaria Halliburton Studio Captain, I met this Kool Kid in 2016. She’s still with me today. This young lady is 15 years old and I would like to announce to Coach J you are my Junior Head Coach for DSSD 2020- 2021 Step Team season. I never met someone who gets my dreams and me as much as you do kid. Congratulations!
Contact Info:
- Address: 5240 Snapfinger Park Drive Decatur, GA 30035 Suite 135
- Website: www.dssdstudio.com
- Phone: 4704299048
- Email: dssdstudio101@gmail.com
- Instagram: dssd_studio
- Facebook: dssdstudio
- Other: https://www.faveacademy.com/
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