Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tara Wilson, Owner of Pulse Studios, located in Calgary, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a dance studio in Calgary, Alberta, that specializes in Hip Hop and Streetdance. We have classes and performance programs for kids 3-18 as well as adults of all levels.
Tell us about yourself
I started my dance journey as an adult and fell in love with dance from the first minute I stepped into a class. Discovering Hip Hop and Streetdance and the culture that is part of them was life-changing and life-saving. Dance brings me joy and has enriched my life in endless ways, and I love that I get to bring it to others through my work as a teacher, choreographer, and studio owner.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have had many accomplishments and milestones along the way, but one of the accomplishments that I am most proud of is the community that my dance studio has created. It has brought people together, helped them to create connections that will hopefully last a lifetime.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
There are a few things that I have found very difficult. As an artist and dancer first, I really struggled to understand what a business was and how it should work. I had to learn about accounting and projections as well as planning, budgets, marketing, software, managing people, managing a building, and even now, I am learning every day. The other thing I found very difficult was being in a competitive space where people are constantly comparing me to other businesses and where I am tempted to compare myself to other businesses. As an artist, this was difficult for me to feel good about and to also feel good about celebrating my success.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- I would say that it is critical to know your WHY. What are you trying to accomplish with your business, and what does it mean to you?
- Get yourself at least one person who you can trust, who will tell you the truth about how things are going even if they are things you do not want to hear and who brings different skills to the table. You need at least one person to be on your team.
- Read books, study, do webinars, etc., and keep learning and growing yourself.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://pulsestudios.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PulseStudiosCalgary/
Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/tearemup2/
Instagram (Business): https://www.instagram.com/pulsestudioscalgary/
LinkedIn (Personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-wilson-405505134/
LinkedIn (Business): https://www.linkedin.com/company/pulse-dance-studios/
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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