GRL SPOTLIGHT | SOMA FROM @SOMA.COMMA
Featuring ep. 3 of GRL SPOTLIGHT, based in Queensland, we say hello to @soma.comma 🙋🏻‍♀️
Talk about inspiration and infectious feel-good energy! We LOVE Soma’s philosophy on life, and the wholesome business values she lives by every day - something we feel great resonance with here at GN.
We recently caught up with Soma to learn about her journey in life and business as an entrepreneur and owner of @limitededitiondance🤛🏼
What was once a concept actualised through Soma’s ability to see a gap in the market, fast forward several years later, she now runs a successful dance studio and has an incredibly passionate team behind her. ⚡️🏅
@limitededitiondance provides a platform for dancers to express themselves, grow their self-esteem, and socialise with other positive people. Soma jam-packs laughter, happiness, and enjoyment into every class so that her students can too gain the benefits of dance that she does!
We hope you enjoy learning about Soma’s journey as much as we did - and a massive thank you to Soma for sharing her story with us! 💜✨🙌🏼#GRLNATION
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU DO?
In 2018 I founded Limited Edition dance- we started as a dance studio where people could just have fun, and now we pride ourselves on being a space where dancers can take a break from the stress of life, connect with other positive people and restore their enthusiasm to take on the world again in their own way through our dance classes.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND HOW DID THE IDEA COME ABOUT?
This is my 5th year of having the business. I grew up as a dancer myself, and I experienced firsthand the comparison and low self-esteem that traditional dance studios can foster.
I had the chance to open Limited Edition Dance in 2018 and I knew right away that I wanted to approach our philosophy differently - I wanted to focus on inclusion, inspiration and individuality.
DID YOU EXPERIENCE ANY CHALLENGES IN THE INITIAL STAGE, AND IF SO, HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THESE?
My initial challenge was finding a real estate agent who would help me find a suitable commercial property to lease! No one took me seriously because of my age and “bubbly” personality. Sheer relentlessness got me through (I called every agent every day) and knowing. my numbers (How many students would cover the lease, how many students I could fit in a space etc.)
I also used google a lot for many other aspects of starting the business - I often googled “how to start a dance studio”, “how to create an email newsletter list”, and “how to get public liability insurance in Australia” etc.
WHAT DOES A DAY IN THE LIFE OF SOMA LOOK LIKE?
I never have a “daily routine” but. I absolutely have a “week routine” - I like to know what I want to achieve each day for the week, but what else I fit in for the day is up to me each morning! Mondays are my “dance teacher planning” days, Tuesdays are admin/email days, Wednesdays are my “grow the business” days where I focus on marketing and systems, Thursdays are my days for meetings and Fridays are “catch up days” for anything else I need to do!
WHAT VALUES DO YOU LIVE BY AND WHY ARE THESE IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Enthusiasm is my number one value. In “The Alchemist” Paulo Coelho wrote, “there is a language in the world that everyone understood… it was the language of enthusiasm, of things accomplished with love and purpose.”
Showing enthusiasm for your work, your people and your vision always speaks louder than words, and it means more than just going through the motions of actions. I believe that enthusiasm usually leads to opportunities.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
I love being able to make someone’s day or even week brighter by providing a space and atmosphere where they feel welcome, encouraged and happy! I also love seeing how our students learn to encourage and uplift each other through our classes too.
ANY ADVICE OR WISDOM FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS?
Don’t be afraid to start small - don’t let social media tell you that you need a huge investment, a full-on brand strategy or a big following in order to launch. Get your basics covered (insurances, cash flow, database!) and let the work speak for itself. Action reduces anxiety, so just give it a go!
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