Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Narayani Maharaj, CEO of Nara Bollywood Dance Academy, located in Miami FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Nara Bollywood Dance Academy is a dance school and talent agency dedicated to showcasing Indian Dancers and Musicians. We offer Bollywood, Bhangra, Garba, Bharatanatyam, Kathak dance classes, and Bollywood Dance Shows & Performances. We also have musicians available for hire, such as Tabla, Sitar, and Dhol Players. We are located in beautiful Miami, Florida, which definitely inspires our diverse, enchanting, and flavorful presentations.
Our clients are people from all kinds of backgrounds, not just Indians. We serve clients looking for entertainment for all kinds of events such as Bollywood-themed parties, Diwali Celebrations, Weddings, Sangeet, Mehndi, Baraat, Corporate Events, Birthdays, Bar Mitzvah, and more. We have clients who are in need of a choreographer for either a bride and groom's first dance or a birthday party. We also have weekly classes and offer choreography programs where students learn a routine from scratch and perform it at local community events or festivals.
Tell us about yourself
I just love performing and creating! I have been dancing and performing since age four, so this business is the result of my life as an artist. I just started doing it for the love of it, but seeing how much time it takes to put together all these presentations, choreographies, and classes, I decided to take it to the next level and make a career out of it. And I should mention I have a degree in Business Administration, so why not combine the two? It only makes sense, right?!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
To be able to make a living doing something that I love.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The uncertainty of not knowing what your financial future holds. I'm the type of person who loves certainty and stability, so this is probably the biggest struggle. Also, when it comes to art, people seem to undervalue the time and effort you put into it. Very frequently, I encounter people who think that you have to take whatever you can get just because you like doing it. They don't consider the time it takes to create, practice, and memorize, and expenses such as costumes, make-up, gas, and just your time in general. This struggle has always led me to doubt if I want to be in this business or not.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Choose something that you love doing, and everything will fall into place.
- Educate yourself.
- Be brave.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I hope my experience helps anyone out there doubting themselves. Be courageous and take that leap of faith. If you never leave your comfort zone, nothing great is going to happen.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.narabollywood.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Narabollywood/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/narabollywood/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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