About Jenny
Turning vision into reality, one bold move at a time.
After 10 years of a career in the Marketing and Communications field, I founded Dreams Dance Academy in St. Charles, IL in 2012. I had been teaching dance "on the side" for about 15 years at that point. I wanted to combine my love for teaching dance and my ultimate dream of being a business owner.
In 2024, after 12 years of tremendous success building a highly sought after and respected studio from the ground up, I sold the business to pursue my other dreams. However, DDA remains (and always will) close to my heart. To continue to have a front row seat to DDA's success, will always be important to me. It was one of the most difficult decisions and processes. To learn more about it and read my letter, click here.
While continuing to be actively involved as a consultant for the new owner of DDA during the transition, I began pursuing my next goals and career aspirations. For years, I was an active member of Rhee Gold's International Dance Entrepreneurs Association (now Studio Owner Alliance). It was there, that I realized just how much I enjoyed helping other studio owners, whether it was sharing my templates or offering up program ideas. I shared regular monthly tips and tricks for "Tip Tuesdays" as well as a guest for online seminars and trainings. I found myself doing this regularly with non-members as well that I'd connected with over the years. People were always asking me for advice and I thought...wait a minute...I have something special here! Check out my resume here for more about my achievements as a studio owner.
Whether it was from my studio families or fellow studio owners, I was consistently complimented on the way I ran my business. At first, I used to think "well, doesn't everyone do that?" I quickly learned not everyone does! So between that and my true passion for helping other studio owners by sharing my knowledge, experience and expertise for how I built and maintained a successful studio...here we are! I could not be more excited for this next chapter in my life and career. I can't wait to hear about YOUR goals and dreams!
To learn more about me, including a resume and portfolio, click here.
My studio's history (a very short summary!): Dreams Dance Academy and "The DDA Way"
2012 - I founded "Dreams Dance Academy: The Traveling Studio." I held my classes at one fitness center and three community centers from July 2012-June 2013. After one season, we had 75+ students.
2013-2014 - I had grown so quickly, that I obtained my own space in summer 2013 in LaFox, IL. It was a small space with room for one dance room but I LOVED it! It was amidst cornfields and a true country, small town feel. Enrollment grew to about 175.
I was no longer a traveling studio, but I did keep one of my original "traveling" locations for a year. I don't have many - if any - regrets, but I have always kicked myself for telling that location they could take it on. I pretty much gave them a profitable business that is still running to this day (not under my name of course). I wanted to share that, because we all make mistakes in business!
2015-2018 - I again quickly outgrew that first space! I obtained a much larger space in St. Charles, IL in 2015 with room for three dance rooms. "If you build it, they will come" was my motto, as it was scary to take such a huge leap with alot more overhead! And oh they came! We grew tremendously. Enrollment grew to about 300.
2019 - In the summer of 2019, I obtained an open unit next to me to add on 1300 sq ft for one additional dance room and an office. "If you build it, they will come" was again my motto....but little did I know what was around the corner. Enrollment grew to about 375.
2020 - The pandemic! Nearly two years of constant pivots. If you know....you know. It was a scary time as I had just expanded and had alot more overhead and employees to keep employed. But I will always be proud that we persevered, kept our dancers engaged, and all of my employees working. Enrollment dropped due to the pandemic which was out of our control.
2022-2023 - "The comeback is always stronger than the setback." That quote couldn't be truer! Enrollment began to skyrocket so quickly and we reached over 400 students.
2024 - The studio was bustling and growing in every way! Enrollment was about 420 students when I retired from studio ownership.