Summary
In this Spotlight on Leaders, I talk to Dana Mahoney, who recently became co-owner of an established Pure Barre franchise in Buffalo, New York.
This episode is *packed* with insight and advice from the new business owner.
Pairing a passion, a vision, and great work ethic are known resources for entrepreneurs successfully seizing opportunities… but what does it look like to do all of that by age 30? Even moreso, how would you get there in a trendy, niche, exercise / dance industry?
A dual major in Communications and Dance, degrees that leave most speechless when family asks “what are you going to do with that degree?,” Dana talks about how her education set the stage for her success in the fitness and business world.
We get INTO it in this episode with this social media managing, dance instructing, business BOSS.
Support & Connect with Dana
What is Pure Barre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf5vK4d1vuc
Pure Barre Buffalo (Book A Free Foundations Class in Buffalo! https://www.purebarre.com/location/buffalo-ny
@purebarrebuffalo https://www.instagram.com/purebarrebuffalo/?hl=en
LinkTree https://linktr.ee/purebarrebuffalo
ClassPass https://classpass.com/studios/pure-barre-buffalo
Explore Pure Barre
Website: https://www.purebarre.com/
@pure_barre https://www.instagram.com/pure_barre/?hl=en
LinkBio: https://linkin.bio/ig-pure_barre
Supportive organizations we referred to
YPAD (dance safety education & certification): https://www.ypadnow.com/
More Than Just Great Dancing (tools, resources, and coaching): https://morethanjustgreatdancing.com/
Sources
Dana Mahoney
Articles that support an assertion made
Connect with Common Leaders
Thank You for Listening!
Summary
In this Spotlight on Leaders, I talk to Dana Mahoney, who recently became co-owner of an established Pure Barre franchise in Buffalo, New York.
This episode is *packed* with insight and advice from the new business owner.
Pairing a passion, a vision, and great work ethic are known resources for entrepreneurs successfully seizing opportunities… but what does it look like to do all of that by age 30? Even moreso, how would you get there in a trendy, niche, exercise / dance industry?
A dual major in Communications and Dance, degrees that leave most speechless when family asks “what are you going to do with that degree?,” Dana talks about how her education set the stage for her success in the fitness and business world.
We get INTO it in this episode with this social media managing, dance instructing, business BOSS.
Support & Connect with Dana
What is Pure Barre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf5vK4d1vuc
Pure Barre Buffalo (Book A Free Foundations Class in Buffalo! https://www.purebarre.com/location/buffalo-ny
@purebarrebuffalo https://www.instagram.com/purebarrebuffalo/?hl=en
LinkTree https://linktr.ee/purebarrebuffalo
ClassPass https://classpass.com/studios/pure-barre-buffalo
Explore Pure Barre
Website: https://www.purebarre.com/
@pure_barre https://www.instagram.com/pure_barre/?hl=en
LinkBio: https://linkin.bio/ig-pure_barre
Supportive organizations we referred to
YPAD (dance safety education & certification): https://www.ypadnow.com/
More Than Just Great Dancing (tools, resources, and coaching): https://morethanjustgreatdancing.com/
Sources
Dana Mahoney
Articles that support an assertion made
Connect with Common Leaders
Thank You for Listening!
Welcome to common leaders. I am here interviewing today, Dana Mahoney, who was a spotlight on leaders program nominee by Laura, who is my wife and Laura nominated Dana for a few different reasons. Stanley has a lot of exciting stuff going on right now, but their relationship goes way back. They met, I think, in like middle school, and have known each other for a long time. I think Laura wrote 23 years, which is most of her life, most of your lives. and I want to introduce Dana by reading a little bit about Laura submit. Laura said the past six years or so. Dana has held jobs in a few different areas. She has filled a variety of roles and gained a lot of different skills throughout that. And has recently been able to focus in on her new path as a co-owner of a pure bar in Buffalo, New York. so a lot of our conversation will evolve a little bit around that experience and that journey, which I'm really, really excited for people to learn about because it's super cool. And Laura had a little bit more to share that I would like to put out there. So Laura said that Dana inspires her to continue to strive for goals, even if it takes a lot of stepping stones to get there. And that's something that I personally struggle with is the stepping stone process. So I'm really excited to hear a little bit from Dana about her steps to get to where she is. And what is the best advice that she's ever gotten from Dana is to set an example and make progress towards those goals. that leads us into the award that Laura would name after you. that award name is very straight to the point and very Laura fashion it's just called the termination. So Laura is presenting Dana the determination award because she has always put other people first, she's worked hard and has become an inspiration and a leader to Laura. And Laura happens as I mentioned to be my wife. So I think very highly of her opinions and for all of those reasons, I'm very excited welcome to the common leaders podcast. Dana Mahoney, Dana, how are you doing?
Dana:thank you. I'm doing great. I, that was pretty awesome. I'm going to have to talk to Laura after this, but thank you.
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:a little, I was, you know, that that was unexpected. That was a really nice, a nice announcement.
Trevor:I w I wanted to surprise you a little, that determination thing, a lot of things she said I think our reflection on things she probably thinks I need to get better at. So that's probably why she set this up. This is going to be a learning experience for me.
Dana:Oh my gosh.
Trevor:but, but I'm super stoked to have you here.
Dana:Thank you. And thank you Laura, for saying that, because that means a lot that, you know, she thinks of me that way and know, she's a very close friend of mine for a very long time, as she said. So her thoughts and opinions matters to me. And I, you know, I, I love her just as much and thinks she's just as awesome.
Trevor:Dana, maybe you could start by telling us a little bit about your current state of affairs, because everything about your story, at least in my head, and maybe this is just my perception, but it revolves a little bit about where you are now, which is between, and I say between, because you recently took over congratulations of a pure bar location, which is building on a lot of hard work as Laura mentioned. And it's, I think before a lot of big payoff moments, because you're probably still in the really hard stuff. So tell us where you are. Maybe like right now in that process, because it's all pretty new, right?
Dana:Sure. Yeah. So, I've been involved with pure bar Buffalo for seven years. So in those terms I've been involved in, in teaching and the company and the organization for a while. And um, Primarily. Um, But in September of this year, 2021, that's when we officially took over um, myself and my friend and co-owner Gretchen. So yeah, since then, I mean, things are going yes, shadow Gretchen. Things are going really well. And we are just as excited to continue to keep growing and you know, expanding and sharing our passion with clients and touching lives of people you know, in the physical fitness sense, but also it's a really great community and just kind of sharing that with those that are around us. So, um, You know, Business wise, we're, living and learning. I have a little bit of background in that. In general, you know, but until you really step into the role and, take things
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:there's always or things that come up that you may not expect, or, you know, whatever. But, um, luckily too, I guess I got to give my husband also Mike, a shout out because he's been very helpful. Um, he is in like accounting and finance, so he's been a big part of planning and, and just helping us on that end. So, um, yeah. And in the overall sense, that's kind of where we're at right now.
Trevor:Nice. Nice. Thanks for sharing. And
Dana:Yeah.
Trevor:that you were a part of helped run. Was it this location or was it another business that you were kind of like, not the ownership realm, but you were a big support to the owner, right?
Dana:Right. Yes. So I, as, as you sat in, as Laura mentioned, I have had a variety of jobs. Um, not because I wasn't good at them or that I got fired from them, but because I, to be in the dance field in the arts field and even the fitness field, a lot of times, it's very, you know, you teach a few classes here, you teach a few classes there, you do social media for this place. You work here in the evening. So you kind of end up having a lot of jobs to make up your full-time gig and your full-time role. So actually the studio that I grew up dancing at, I had worked for some time, a long time actually. And it was great. And I started to help out more managed that and, kind of be the stand-in manager at the Akron location. So I had a little bit of experience, managing and running a business from, from that side of things. then I guess I would just say. In the marketing and social media around, I've always been interested in that. I do have a communication major, which, even I graduated some years ago now, but compared then to now, things just change so quickly and, know, ads and Facebook and updates and everything. So it's, it is a lot to keep up with it. And it is like a full-time job in itself. But luckily I do have a background that and I have some experience with, those sides of things. So that's definitely been help as well.
Trevor:Yeah. Yeah. I can relate to you a little bit on the, the experience of helping run a place versus trying to run a thing. Although mine is a little different, it's very different to be, to have it squarely on your shoulders from top to bottom, rather than squarely on your shoulders and those moments that the owner steps away, which was, sounds like maybe a similar experience for you. A similar experience for me, where, I would help, I don't want to say run the business, but I would stand in a bit for the owner if, if she took, a trip somewhere or whatnot. And those were always the most nerve-racking moments, but there was always the, upside of carrying out. I guess they're bidding. Not, my own.
Dana:Yes. Right. Yeah. Some pressure or some,
Trevor:you. Yeah. And you walked in though, because you, you bought like a steak in a business that was already established. Right. So the pure bar location that you're at, how many clients did you take on through that transition? Like that were already kind of there and regulars?
Dana:yeah, that's, the studio is up and running and I mean, that's definitely a perk, you know, it's, um, it's a bit. Of an advantage rather than starting from, from square one. we
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:about 140
Trevor:Oh,
Dana:right now. I want to say.
Trevor:that's awesome.
Dana:and we also depend there's a variety of way to take classes too. We have some people, a member is considered like, you know, someone who takes regularly has a monthly membership, and then
Trevor:Hmm,
Dana:also class packs and other things where people can, you know, come in and have a little bit more flexibility if they just want to drop in every once in a while. And maybe they'll just buy a 10 class pack that they can use over a matter of three months or something. Um, so there's, you know, a lot of extra traffic in addition to our regular members that kind of, you know, come in and out on a regular basis.
Trevor:That's cool. I just had like 40, 40 questions and thoughts at my head all at once, which is a real problem for me sometimes. but so I don't miss it because it's really related. Um, normally I would wait until the end to ask about like your future aspirations and goals, but you said you have about 140 regular members now, do you and Gretchen have an idea what capacity looks like for your business or for what the model looks like now? How many would make you feel super. It's 140, like where it's at or
Dana:no, I mean, there's always room to grow and I think we, you know, have, have the space in the studio and in the classes to welcome more people in and it would, it would be great to see it grow. I mean, especially, I, I will bring it up because it's, it's been an, an effect for everyone, but COVID, you know,
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:and very, um, impressively, you know, the previous owner owner did not close the business at all. We turned virtual, we did virtual classes,
Trevor:Nice.
Dana:Joined us online. They joined us outside when that was an option, um, you know, social distancing. So
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:it looked a lot different, but it somehow happened. But obviously there was recovery after that, too, that, you know, for every
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:there, I'm pretty sure unless you're like Netflix or grocery store took a hard hit and, you know,
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:there's a lot of re recovery to do. Um, so I'm very excited that, you know, hopefully COVID is somewhere in a more controlled state, you know, fingers
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:to like speak too soon, but where, you know, we can still keep that under control, but have the opportunity to kind of get back to a normal and focus on that growth again.
Trevor:Yeah. Um, I'm excited for businesses like yours and like the business I've been a part of at milestone because it forced in the same way. We didn't close down at milestone and peer bar didn't close down. And as soon as it started to happen, amongst all the negatives that were coming along with it and the confusion and the heartache for so many people from, from those types of businesses perspectives, I think it also. Kicked down because it was forced, it kicked on the door of an entirely different marketplace that didn't rely on physical space, um, which makes me excited for the economy and niche arts in, in things that once relied only on, you have to be near a city, you have to be near a central something to have access that really all that to say access, I think is the biggest thing coming out of COVID that I hope businesses, you know, you didn't ask me for my opinion, but I hope businesses like yours. And unlike the one that I used to work at take advantage of, because now there's the option of not being relegated to the physical space and you can welcome so many more people that maybe didn't have access to it before for any number of reasons. So, um, yeah.
Dana:do actually even still live stream classes about one a day. Um, so some of our members join from home. Um, we've had people joined from other countries before, like on
Trevor:Oh, that's cool.
Dana:uh, you know, memberships and yeah. It, it is pretty cool. So I totally agree with you it's in that, in that perspective. Um, awesome. I will say that I prefer being in person and I think a lot of people if they had the choice but I think it's really cool how the world, you know, shifted and made it work because we had to, and in a lot of ways it became more available to more people. So.
Trevor:Yeah. Yeah. I mean, there might be a Dana Mahoney, uh, somewhere out in the sticks that before didn't have access to, to even the inspiration that can be provided by what you
Dana:Yeah.
Trevor:that now can, and can eventually open their own studio in their little town in the middle of nowhere. Like I just, somebody who grew up in the middle of nowhere and did not have access to a
Dana:Yeah.
Trevor:uh, I think it it's really cool. Also it reduces the cost. Eventually I could go into so many reasons that I'm excited for the future, but. Lest I get too far off topic. have not skipped over this, but we, we need to take a quick step back. What is bar? Because bar being so, so you own Dana owns cones with Gretchen, a business called pure bar, and it's a Buffalo location. It's a franchise outfit. That, what I understand started not necessarily started, but really took activity of bar, which I want to learn about to a new level, but before understanding what pure bar and what your location and what you're doing is like, what the heck is bar bar with two are no one are in two weeks or is it
Dana:Yeah, no, no, no. You are right. Two ours and money. Um, I know a lot of people misspell the word or they say it like Barre Ray or bear or other things, but it's, it comes from like the ballet bar. That is how you spell bar. Um, it comes from ballet like terminology and all that, but so pure bar is a very low impact, high intensity workout. Um, total of 45 to 50 minutes, you work your whole body. Um, in that time, very small, almost isometric movements. The goal is to. Work the muscle, um, to the point of fatigue where it starts to shake and you in turn are building that muscle, changing the shape of your muscle, and then we stretch it out right after. So you get along lean muscle tone. Um, look, you're not going to bulk. Um, it's, it's more about the tone aspect, um, which
Trevor:Gotcha.
Dana:we have a variety of, um, clients and sizes and bodies and everyone that comes into us ages. but it's very good. Long-term for you. Um, because of the low impact, it's not going to be hard on your joints, um, and things like that. And it kind of combines, like, it's hard to explain until you take the class, but it does have a Pilates yoga dance, collaborative background. It is to very motivating music. So it's very.
Trevor:Okay.
Dana:Techno kind of on that beat. It's very musically driven in a way, which I really like from being from my dance background and it also helps class to kind of move along. And a lot of people say, you know, they get through class and they're like, oh, that went so fast. Um, cause it's kind of just relaxing in a way, even though it's hard. It's um, yeah. So in, in a, in a, I don't know how quick that was, but in a quick description, that's kind of what, it's what it is like.
Trevor:So helps. Yeah.
Dana:And a lot of times, yeah, a lot of times people will come in and they, they say like, oh, I watched a YouTube video or my friend kind of told me about it, but it's just very different than anything else that's out there.
Trevor:one of the things that I think makes it interesting because it is, it is niche, uh, in exercise in general, especially during COVID like really changed the dynamics of what's required. So maybe that's a good thing to hit on too. is there like equipment required? Is it weight-based or do you just need some music and somebody that knows what they're doing to kind of lead you along?
Dana:No, that's a very good point. So we do use some equipment, it's all in our studio. So you don't have to bring any of it with you. Um, we actually it's it. We take class on a rug. Um, it's kind of a. Rougher kind of rug. It's a very specific rug, but you need sticky socks, which are, if you've ever heard of them, or if you've heard of BARR, you're giggling. Right. But they're, they're socks with grips on the bottom. So if you've been at like a trampoline park or even some people say hospital socks, yes, exactly. They've got the grips on the bottom, so they help you hold your form, your planks, your, you know, you know, different things that we do in class.
Trevor:Okay.
Dana:use a double tube, stretchy band, a ball, and then very lightweight, no more than five pounds. So that sounds like it's not that hard, but it's very, um, we take no breaks again, think more reps or I'm sorry. Think rep repetition, less reps. So you're holding your arm out there and you're doing this tiny curl for a very long time. And then you go right to your next movement and you do your next movement. So you're never really getting a break. So
Trevor:Gotcha.
Dana:in your hand, You're gaining that tone again, rather than the bulk. So there is a little bit that you would need, honestly, I was the last thing I was going to say when we went to COVID. Cause you mentioned like if, when you're at home and could you do this at home? Um, the, challenge, I think sometimes is the actual bar because the bars in the studio are connected to the wall. And a lot of times we
Trevor:You
Dana:pull off of them or we'll use it for like, you'll put your weight on it in some capacity. So a lot of people, you know, they'll use like a counter or a back of a chair, but sometimes that's wobbly. So that was a little bit of a adjustment for people.
Trevor:sure.
Dana:but you could use, you know, wine bottles for your weights. You can use a TheraBand that you tie around your legs for a tube. So there were modifications that people definitely figured out over time that worked for them while they were taking out home.
Trevor:Oh, have you ever, have you ever done like a wine and paint, but with bar where you use the bottles of wine to motivate yourself through the exercise, like.
Dana:You know what I will say we kind of have, and we even at studio we'll have like wind down Wednesdays or like we have sip shops because in the front of our boutique, we have a bunch of retail and clothes. So people take class, then they'll come out and have a little wine and shop and it's a great time.
Trevor:nice. This is kind of a weird way to ask it, but it's the only way that I'm thinking of does bar discriminate in terms of who fits the exercise routine? Well, like is there, because there's mentioned the low weight and you mentioned that it's fun to me, it sounds like the fun of an exercise or a, like a traditional span or exercise class where it kind of gets you pumped up. But with. The difference. We're one of the bigger differences being it flows more like a yoga class where you're just going from one thing to the next, like in yoga, you typically, you don't stop. You hold it and you move on, you hold it, you move on. And that to me seems more accessible in terms of who could accomplish and do well with it. Do you find that pretty accessible for most people like body type and where they are in their exercise?
Dana:A hundred percent. Yeah. Um, say we, so we have a intro class called foundations that. Encourage every new person to take, because bar is so different. And even if they work out or if they don't work out, we go over a lot of the technique and what you're should be feeling, what the position is that you're supposed to be finding, because it is so small that like the movements that it looks like you could be doing it. Right. But you may not actually be doing it. Right. If that makes sense. So it's a lot of a mind, body connection where you really want to make sure that you understand what's happening and you know what you're supposed to be feeling. Um, during class, we even cue that a lot over the mic. Like right now we should be working the tops of our thighs and you know, how, and then cues to you find that if you're not feeling that.
Trevor:Um,
Dana:the great thing about bar is it's hard. It is very hard and it will always be very hard. I've taught, taken, I don't know how many classes and it's still hard, but that's good because you don't want to work out to be easy if it was, why are you doing it? In a way though, even though it's hard, everything we do is super modifiable. So we actually have had people it's a great workout for people who are pregnant. It's a great workout for people who had just had a baby. It's a great workout for anyone working through an injury because it's very low impact and controlled movement. You're not throwing anything around. Um, it's we, we had someone with vertigo once who she was like, this has been the first thing that I can actually do. And she modified, she modified certain things, but she's like, I can get through a class and I can feel myself working and I can, you know, see the change of my body. So I'm like, you know, that's pretty amazing that there's all these different types of people at different points in their life, different fitness journeys, um, that are really getting something out of the class.
Trevor:Yeah, that's cool. That's cool. I've just for the record. If anybody listening, couldn't tell I have never done a bar class, although by the end of this, I'm going to feel like I should or need to there's one right up the street. So I, I don't live in Buffalo. I live in San Diego and there's a peer bar right around the corner. Uh, and I, haven't not been working out as I was reminded this morning. So like true, true. Honest to goodness was,
Dana:had, Laura can go.
Trevor:yeah, she's not.
Dana:before it was a long time ago,
Trevor:She will not go with me. Um, she will not it. And I only say that because, uh, Laura is very into her own workout routine. And right now that is skateboarding and there is nothing outside of skateboarding for her. I don't have, uh, like a big sport that a mentee I'm definitely not about to start being a skateboarder. That is not for me, but pure bar could be, uh, or bar because it's bar is the routine. Right. Pure bar is the business, right?
Dana:um, correct. I would say pure bar is, is a technique in itself though. I mean, we.
Trevor:Oh,
Dana:We've been around for 20 years. And, um, I want to say our kind of the starter of the bar industry, even, even kind of the start of the whole boutique fitness, like you know, like there was a time where big box gyms were like primarily what was out there and, you know, maybe they had some classes and things, but you go to the gym and you're kind of responsible for yourself and figuring out what works for you or what you need to do. And there wasn't a lot of guidance besides a personal trainer, you know, that you would probably pay big, big bucks for. Um, so we kind of have, have led the bar industry, but yes, I mean, to answer your question simply there are a variety of bar fitness classes out there and people who, you know, make it their own or, or work for a different company. Um, but yeah, the pure bar technique is, is in itself its own technique. I would say.
Trevor:Could we call it the most pure version of bar?
Dana:Yes. Yes. I would say
Trevor:I think it's pretty cool. It's not, it's not frequent that, um, you get to talk to somebody who has. W who co owns or owns a franchise, anything is also in the franchise that started at all, um, you know, maybe someday you could be as popular as make it ease. Uh, but also don't know if that's necessarily the goal, but I think it's pretty cool for sure that you get
Dana:thanks.
Trevor:part of what is a pretty established place to start your entrepreneurial sort of journey. And that's kind of where I'm curious to go next is how did you, I, I hadn't heard of bar in terms of being a prominent part of your life until the last few years. So maybe talk a little bit about your journey was going from what I do know, which is a lifelong, I think, passion for dance and for, I mean, dance in a word how I would define it. Well before bar it's
Dana:Yes. Yes.
Trevor:She is a dancer. So how did you go from like a kid that liked to take dance classes and do do dance, which is a terrible way to say it. I'm sure. somebody who is now an expert and a representative of this niche, really cool exercise within kind of the greater field of dance. Maybe
Dana:Yeah, no for sure. I mean, I honestly think it's cool. I mean, I could talk about this in general for a long time too, just because there's
Trevor:go for it.
Dana:it's I, yeah, I know. So, I mean, so I started dancing when I was five. The reason I started dancing was because my mom, my grandma said that I was shy and I was addicted, attached to my mother's side. And she was like, this kid needs to socialize. So my mom signed me up for dance class first year. Loved it. I knew all the steps. I was like the one who knew the dance in the front at five years old that my next year it was. My mom, I'm surprised she didn't pull me because I was crying. I didn't want to go, I wouldn't let my mom leave the room eventually got over that and have never looked back since and dance became my life. So, yeah. Um, it was all I did all through school and high school. Um, I really didn't play sports or do many other activities, but only because I loved dance so much.
Trevor:right.
Dana:Well, yeah, it is. It is. I mean, I used to be big on that, but honestly, I don't even care anymore because it's, it's, it's more than it's for, in my mind. I mean, it's, it's, it's an art, obviously it's an art, right. But I mean, dancers are a whole nother kind of athlete and I'm, I'm not even saying that to toot my own horn, but like, you look at like Misty Copeland or Tyler PAC, or like some of these people that are, they're like a work of art, like what they can do with their bodies is pretty amazing. Um, but so. I dance in a variety of capacities. When I got older, I did do some competitive dancing only because I loved it so much. And that was, uh, uh, you know, you take more classes per week. You are able to, you know, work on your technique and get better, faster, you know, rather than taking only a few classes per
Trevor:sure.
Dana:so, and even through I guess I'll say too, I was always big in assisting, which, you know, as a middle school, high school student, you would come in and assist your teacher with the younger kids. So I would come in and work with the three and four year olds or five-year-olds whatever. And that was always a big part of my time as well, which when I fast forward, I teach now. So I'll get back to that, but. And then I decided to go to college for it. And you know, this is the other question that I could talk about forever is like, what are you going to do with a dance degree? And, you know, a lot of times you may think, yeah, you may think like your parents are like, oh, like, no, don't go to school for that Dana. Or like, don't, you know, what are you going to do with that? But I will say, and I've, I've kind of said this to some people before, um, they didn't do that. And my dad particularly is very big in harness racing, which you may or may not know what that is, but it's basically the horse racing, but it's not thoroughbred, which is where the jockey is on the, on top of the horse harness racing is where they have the I'll call it like a cart. They call it a bike, but it's, it looks like a cart with wheels and you sit on it and the horse is in front of you and you, you like lead the horse long. So it was bigger back in his day. It's unfortunately not that big anymore, but he had. Made that his life the beginning of time. And even when he had kids after he had kids, he somehow found a way to keep his passion in his life, whether it was a big part of his life or not as so big part of his life. And, um, he, I kind of look at him for that. Cause like, if he could do it, I know I can do it and he didn't stop me from doing it because he knew it was my passion and what I loved to do. So I think in that way, he kind of could relate to like what I was feeling and why I wanted to pursue a career or college with dance. Um, so thanks dad and mom, but I just, I feel like that in itself was kind of like a, you know, it's cool to see your parent do that and it just makes you believe even more that you can. So, um, fast forward went to college for it,
Trevor:quick, quick interjection. We're
Dana:for, for.
Trevor:on mom, shout outs and every. True story but this is the first time the dads have gotten some extra
Dana:Whew, sent that. Nice.
Trevor:What are your mom and dad's name? So we can shout them out.
Dana:Tim and Tina,
Trevor:Tim and Tina.
Dana:Tim and Tina T and T. Um,
Trevor:we fast forwarded,
Dana:So yeah, so then I went to college for dance, which was great. Um, I will say this too, actually, because I went to college for dance and you know, not that everyone knows what they're doing when they're going into college as a freshmen, you know, they're like, oh yeah, I'm going to do this. I know what's going to happen. And I went through my first year, which was great and I still loved it. And I had always thought about though, doing like a double major or, you know, what, what else can I do? Or is there something like for my backup, whatever. Um, and I, I took a few classes like around the communication. Um, you know, idea of major. I had a friend who was doing it and I did kind of like it. I mean, I, it is a very vague sort of thing. You can take it to a very specific area, but in general, it, it is kind of vague where you could do a lot of things with that. And, um, so I picked that up my second year of college and I ended up doing both. So I was a dance major and a communication major and graduated with both, um, after four years. So that came in handy too. Cause now I'm, you know, part of a owner and I've, I've done a lot of different things. So I definitely think that has come in handy to, uh, help me accomplish these dreams. But so after college,
Trevor:with that right. Communications and
Dana:yeah, right. Yeah, exactly. Yes I did. Yes I did. And you know what, I actually, this, this is going to sound lame, but I. I got the Dean's award for the communication department at UBI. Um, because I, I think they thought I was interesting cause I had a dance major and a communication major, and I had a very specific, like, I want to use this to help the arts or like, you know, promote dance and, and promote awareness or like make me combine these two things. Like I'm not just getting a communication major because I don't know what else to do. Like I have this idea and I think this is going to help me accomplish it. So anyways again, graduate college. Um, and that's where I really feel like as a, as a dancer, as a teacher, as a whoever and as, uh, a, a person with a degree in something that people are like, what are you going to do to make it work? You do what you do to make it work. So that's why I had a million jobs or, you know, I had. Yeah, I did. And I, I taught a ton and I worked evenings. I worked weekends. Like it wasn't a regular schedule. Um, but I was doing what I enjoyed and I was doing what I loved. Um, and you know, I still love it to this day, but I will say teaching is very different than like being in a class and being a
Trevor:Sure.
Dana:and learning. And it's, it's, you know, it's opposite ends of the coin, which they're both great and just different. as I was teaching so much, I kind of lost my
Trevor:Um,
Dana:in, in the class setting. I was like, I'm never taking class anymore. I'm not doing anything for myself. I feel like, you know, I was so used to being a student. that is when I found
Trevor:okay.
Dana:I was looking into different things in the area I was looking into, where can I take a class? What's something new I can try. Do I want to get into yoga? Do I, you know, I was just kind of exploring and. I went to a free Lulu lemon sponsored class at pure bar. And they gave me a free pair of leggings, which was pretty rocking. Um, so that was really awesome. then after that class, I bought a few more classes, started, started taking somewhat regularly then the owner at the time had reached out and was like, Hey, would you be interested in becoming a teacher? Like we're looking to hire some and send them to training and everything. And I was like, yeah. Um, and again, it's kind of funny, cause I just thought I was trying to find something for myself and here I am going to be a teacher of this thing that I just want to take a class, but feel like that's the hard thing too, as being in like the dance and fitness field. Like you. Teaching is almost like second nature. Like you do it, you know what? You're good at it. You, you might as well teach it. And then that's, that's an income or that's a, it's a job where you can do something, um, that you love and whatever. So I did become a teacher. I don't regret that because look where I am now. Um, but I, I went to training and everything, and that's kind of how I found pure bar. And then ever since then, I've slowly but surely kind of been, you know, one job out here stopped doing this, stop doing that. And now my, my two main focuses obviously are coning queer bar and I still teach there. And then I do still teach them dance on the side, because like you said, it's kind of my, my hearts and my initial, um, I don't know my myself, when people think of Dana, they're like, oh yeah, she dances. And that's what it is. So I'm not ready to give that up yet.
Trevor:I would, I would imagine and hope for you that you don't ever get in a position where you have to decide to give up dance. That would be weird. I mean, until, until, until you're like maybe
Dana:I,
Trevor:but can you be too old to dance?
Dana:no, I had a ballet instructor in college who, I don't know how old she was, but I want to say she was like 80. I'm not kidding you. She would come in every day. She would wear black gloves every day on the
Trevor:Okay.
Dana:and she could bend in half. She could lift her leg, she would do everything. I, all of us, all my friends were like, can we be her one day? Because this is pretty, pretty awesome. And she loved it. She loved it. I mean, what a, what a life.
Trevor:Yeah, that could be you. You could,
Dana:no, you can't be too old. Yeah.
Trevor:super. You could be. Yeah, I could see that it would be weird. And I, and by the way, I think knowing you that if you had picked yoga coming out of that phase, it feels to me like that might have been a struggle because the things I know about you sitting still is not really a strong
Dana:Yeah. You know what? And now, no, no, you're not. And I know if you've noticed or not, or can notice, but I've moved or I can't sit still. You're right. I'm moving my foot right
Trevor:Yeah,
Dana:I don't, I don't sit still. So, you know, like you said, you move in yoga and stuff, but it's, it's a little different pure bar and dance are a little more, little more
Trevor:yeah, yeah. For sure. Well, thank you for sharing, like the background of how you came to know pure bar or bar after, uh, really like a lifetime of dance. Um,'cause that's really what it was for you and coming from a small town, um, in Akron, New York. No, no
Dana:Yeah.
Trevor:but, I'm just kidding. Shout out to accurate. Uh, did you have,
Dana:sure. If you want to.
Trevor:did you have a lot of opportunity, uh, or exposure in Akron? Because I would guess that it was probably kind of low key in that town, in that school. Right.
Dana:Yeah. Yeah. So I, when I started dancing, I did start dancing in Akron. They had a program that ran out of the school, so it was literally in the cafeteria. At recreational, you know, and it's great. And that's actually where I then started teaching. It's a very well-known program. It's been there forever. It's it is something that's, you know, small town community, everyone brings their kids or the dance sort of thing. Um, but when I did get a little bit older, their main studio location was in Batavia New York, which was about half an hour away from Akron. So I did end up traveling to Batavia like four to five days a week to dance because I wanted that next level and such, I should say it well, I guess I did travel, but you know, my mom traveled that she, she was the one that was driving me around. Yeah. Another shout out to Tina. Um, but yeah, so I. I traveled to dance and, you know, I guess I lived in Akron, New York, but I guess, you know, that's where I started and that's where I found my love for dance. But after that, I did kind of have to, to go to Batavia. And then, I mean, luckily university of Buffalo is pretty much in our backyard and it is a really great school that has a lot of different, great programs. And they had a good dance program. Um, I looked into a few other schools and auditioned because at college you, you have to get into the college, but then you also have to audition to get into the department of dance. So it was like two steps. but yeah, I was luckily enough to have university of Buffalo in my backyard and to attend their program, which was great. So I, I, in a way I never really left the, this area, which is pretty, pretty cool. Even though I grew up in a small town, there were, there was enough around me where I was able to kind of get the education that I wanted and needed and have found opportunities still. So,
Trevor:that, uh, or bar in general? Uh, mean, I would guess the answer's going to be yes, but I'm curious specifically how it's a good entry point for kids. Um, of course, that's kind of at this point,
Dana:yes.
Trevor:is, is working around kids and working with kids and especially kids that
Dana:Yeah.
Trevor:a variety of different physical and attention needs. Uh, you, and I know you've taught a lot with kids what is the impact of dance with kids compare to their average like gym class or phys ed?
Dana:Yes. Yes, this is, uh, another great topic. So, um, yes. I truly believe that every kid should dance. I mean, even if they're only do it for a few years, when they're 3, 4, 5, whatever. Um, and by kids, I include boys in that
Trevor:Of course. Yeah. Kids.
Dana:a lot of people are like, oh, I'm not signing up my boyfriend dance. And I'm like, listen, uh, it's just so good in so many ways. I mean, they learn. So much more than dance steps. It's not, I mean, that's, that's a plus, right? That's the cute par and it's, they're still a lot from learning steps or learning a dance. They're getting some physical fitness out of it. But, actually the studio that I teach at is it's called Tonawanda dance arts it's in Tonawanda, New York. Um, but they are a member of an organization called more than just great dancing. And it basically is that in itself, it's an organization
Trevor:Okay.
Dana:helps studios grow their business, but also like create a solid business that is focused, age appropriate. you know, what are they learning beyond dance steps? What are we doing? How are we impacting the community? What. What sorts of qualities and leadership skills are we teaching these, these
Trevor:Wow.
Dana:I mean, they're our future. And even though they're not, you know, a dance studio is not a, a school, like a pre-K through whatever fifth grade, but it's something that a lot of people like, they, they call it their, their, I forget the phrases. It's second home or third home. Have you heard of this phrase
Trevor:I have not.
Dana:Okay. Well, it's either, it's either their second home or their third home there's research on it, but basically every kid needs like their home, their school, and then they need something
Trevor:Okay.
Dana:where they feel accepted, where they feel can express themselves. It's their space. I mean, a lot of times, even kids that have siblings, it's like, what do they have for
Trevor:Right.
Dana:What is the one thing that they do? That's only theirs. And a lot of times dance can be that, um, you know, whether they take it recreationally or they grow up and they, you know, take it more seriously. But, um, I mean they gain physical fitness coordination, flexibility, strength, gross motor skills when you're really young. But it's also like the social aspect of being in a class with other kids, learning to take turns, learning about teamwork and how to work together to create a dance. Or even if it's something as little as like working together to like use the parachute. Like I use the parachuting class sometimes where it's like, okay, we all have to hold this together and do it all at the same
Trevor:big one.
Dana:to make this work, you know? And that's like, yeah. Yeah. And it's a very simple idea. But at, at a, at a child's, you know, age and level, it's like, okay, this is how we work together to make this happen. So, um, yeah, it's, it's a really great foundation or organization I should say. Um, that is creating a lot of good standards and the dance world, because a lot of people too, unfortunately, there's a lot of, uh, I shouldn't say a lot of, but there is a negative like reputation in regards to some things where, you know, like are running around these little bikini tops and doing these
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:moves. It's like, they shouldn't be doing that. I don't think they should be doing that. And more than just great
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:And the studio I work at is very, very much not about that. I mean, it's, it's again, teaching dance, but teaching these life skills, teaching it's in inappropriate, um, way and yeah, so.
Trevor:Um,
Dana:I think, does that answer your question? Maybe I got on a tangent there. I can't even remember.
Trevor:in particular that's I was actually going to ask that part next. Not necessary. That's specifically about like the age appropriate and of it, but as a professional, like that's all you to, to bring that up. But I I've been to parades, you know, at an Akron ironically, now that's not true, not in Akron. Um, in Williamsville, we used to go to like the 4th of July parade every year and they'd have these, quote-unquote dance crews, but it was more like cheerleading and, you know, to your point, and that's a totally different rabbit hole, but of the stuff that had kids doing and wearing and such just seemed, uh, a little leading, like a leading question, it seemed like it was a leading
Dana:Yeah.
Trevor:it wasn't necessarily one that was supportive of the other life skills that you mentioned, um, which is
Dana:Right.
Trevor:uh, especially, you know, Williamsville maybe is a little different, but you know, we're both you and I are from. And a lot of people that we know are from where are. Maybe
Dana:Yeah.
Trevor:of good support mechanisms. The ones you do have are going to be super critical. So if the ones you're exposed to are maybe only half the picture or the, the wrong half of the picture, then that's all you're going to get.
Dana:Yeah. Right.
Trevor:you're not just a dance person or a person who dances or a person who's interested in dance. You're interested in the science and the greater field of dance and exercise because that's where you're both where your passion is, but also where your studies are in. So I think you are
Dana:Yeah,
Trevor:And you have the credence to give advice on how do you
Dana:thanks.
Trevor:this legit. And that is going to take your kid in a path that is both for their physical body, but also for like the rest of the picture that a dance class could offer. Like how do you find that,
Dana:Yeah, no, that's a good question. And it can be a hard thing. Um, and this kind of ties in with one thing that I was going to say previous to this, but I'll say to start that, like, it is very hard to grow up these days. I'm sure everybody knows that. Um, I feel like even you and I, if we compare, you know, the kids you've seen or worked with at your work and what I see now, I was not doing what the 12 year olds are doing now when I was 12, like I was playing with Barbie dolls, probably they haven't touched a Barbie doll since they were six years old, probably. Right. Like they have a phone, they have Instagram, they have tic-tac they think everything on Tik TOK is life. Like that's literally, they think like they should not, I don't think, yeah. I don't think any of them should have access to any of that because they can't, they can't mentally process it. They don't know what to do with it. They think it's, it's real.
Trevor:yeah. Now I'll
Dana:And it's a lot to process.
Trevor:link an article just to, to back what we're saying up as not just an opinion, but that stuff, the stuff that is social media now is on psychology and it's manipulation. It's not that you are doing something wrong by allowing your kid to be a part of that. The companies that push those things have researched how to make people addicted to it. And kids have the least amount of ability to judge those things. So what you're saying is not just that it's like, yeah, it's wrong. It's it's. It is malice.
Dana:Like they can't it I and again I'm not a parent and that's up to you and it's you decide is obviously up to you that's But I I think you know even even a degree of like watching what your child is looking at or what they're what they are viewing talking to them about what they're seeing Because a lot of times if it's just a free for all I've had kids say things to me and I'm like how do you know that Or like what do you know what that is Or what are you You know what like it's not really my place I mean I am I guess a role model to them or I am someone I want to
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:they can talk to or but it's, you know, I'm parent and I'm not about to get in, in the middle of anything, but, um, it's just really, really hard for any, any kid to process that. But I will say kind of in the same idea, as far as like finding the right dance studio for you or finding a good program for you. Um, I w I would honestly look for the more than just great dancing, um, organization, because they are nationwide. They are everywhere. I don't know how many studios are a part of the affiliation, but there are a ton of them and you. If you do have standards to get into the program, you have to meet certain things. You have to be go through certain trainings and things where you're knowledgeable in all these things that we're talking about, age appropriateness, um, you know, what to teach at what levels even, even something is like, you might not think about too, but like dancers need to be flexible, but you can't. And I'm sure you know, this actually too in the PT background, but like you can't stretch kid far, like it's gonna, long-term hurt them if they're too flexible, too young, because they're growing and their body is changing. And, you know, people who, you know, in ballet or points sometimes they'll like stretch kids' feet super far. Cause they think, oh, they need beautiful feet, but then they're going to have feet problems as they grow up. So just little things like that. And then, and that even, even the degree of, um, like who your teacher is, and I, this is kind of an interesting thing too, because you know, You don't need to go to college to be a dance teacher. You don't need any sort of certification to be a dance teacher. Technically anyone can walk off the street and get hired at a studio to be a dance teacher, depending on the studios standards. Do you know I mean? So they may have danced in their life and that that's fine. And again, I'm not, I'm not judging one way or another, but I, I would feel more comfortable knowing that someone has some sort of cation or some sort background and knowledge and, and knowing what they're, what they're doing in class and what they're doing is effective. And what they're doing is, um, right. For that level and right for that age. And it's, it's not all just, oh, just dancing around and it's, you know, some of it is it's fun, but there's a lot more to it than that. And you'll get more out of it that way, too. Um, and I think the last point I want to make going back to social media is. I truly think that if you look at, and this goes kind of for any business or any, anything, but if you look at the page social media and like, what kind of clothes are they wearing? What sort of movements are they doing? Do the kids look happy? do they, it, there's so many things you can see from a social media page or even a website you know just like look look at and be like is could my kid doing this Or would I be comfortable
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:kid wear that Or and I don't mean to make it all about the outfits and what they're doing
Trevor:Um, yeah, what I hear is does, w w does this align with my family's values, if you, you know, based on the information I have, does this align with, you know, what I hope for w in, and I had a question about a question, because you've mentioned there's of course not a requirement necessarily to have a certification or a certain type of education to get into that professional field. I guess there's two questions. Um, one is, if there was a sort of, and I don't want to, I kind of do want to overly focus on kids. I think because kids don't necessarily have as much. And the choices as adults do. Um, and of course the field that I'm coming from and I'm extra passionate about. And agree that if if you start dancing young you probably set yourself up for a healthier overall lifestyle And I'm sure there's a ton of research to
Dana:Yes
Trevor:Uh what
Dana:yes
Trevor:Or background if there was something on surface that could look for a could look for an instructor like what would you suggest they look for And then secondly if that? doesn't exist what question should a parent ask to try to filter through the crap Because maybe person does have the right experience but not the right certification
Dana:Right, right. Um, so. There, I guess that's, I'll say in general that could, this can be a hard thing too, because there isn't a standard across the nation of what is a good certification or a good there's a million things out there. Right. And there's a million different techniques and philosophies and teaching methods and all these sorts of things. Right. So, I mean, even just simply asking, like, do you, do you have teaching method or do you, does this teacher have any sort of certifications or just asking. What an if and they say, do on it okay what is this certification Or what do you have to do to complete this or this teaching method this and it you know this is what describes it Okay This this makes sense So just like I what's available in Buffalo is probably very different than what's available like near you in San Diego I would assume there's actually probably a lot more near you available Um two other big things besides the the more than just great dancing thing which again I think is huge but there's another thing out there that we are also a part of It's called why pad it's youth Um Uh, what's the oh my gosh like affiliates of dance or
Trevor:Okay
Dana:a another sort of certification but it's all about like the The health of the dancer So in a whole sort of diff physical health mental health socially um, you know we were trained in like eating disorders, bullying, like the whole nine yards of things to, to look for, to watch for, and then even in your class, like with stretching and things, I kind of mentioned that what is appropriate for this age? What is appropriate for that age? Um that's just another thing as an overall and in the dance world but also just like to send your kid to a place where you know they're going to be safe
Trevor:Yeah
Dana:overall Like whether you're just doing dance for? or dance more serious commitment of multiple times per week or whatever Um but pat is a really great organization to look for. Um, And then honestly, I would say like, did this person go to college for dance? I mean, you don't have to do it, there's enough college dance programs out there. And I really think that, I mean, I know my studio prefers that. I think, I think they value people who have continue their education. And I mean, even at UV, there was a there was a, teaching there was a more of a like a teaching And a performing track
Trevor:Okay
Dana:the teaching track you had to take other classes that would help you become a better teacher or teaching
Trevor:Hmm
Dana:to become a better teacher Um so. Yeah.
Trevor:So if you were to strip away the CA no, that's perfect. Yeah. So if you were to strip away the college part, just for the, for the sake of like, just being inclusive to, especially to towns like Akron and penny and where we're from, but also, you know, anywhere, not the suburbs, if we're being honest, uh, which tend to include a lot of disadvantaged, uh, families and youth, if you were to take away the college part, it sounds to me repeat it back is there's two types of credentials that you might ask for. And word I would suggest to a parent hearing what you said is college or credentials. What qualifies you to do this? And there's two areas that you would want to about what what, qualifies credentials you, or has your experience with kids? And, and then also within exercise or dance or whatever it is they're claiming to be good at, uh, to, to or give yourself a chance to avoid that's just off the street Don't don't just take it that
Dana:Yes
Trevor:there they therefore must be qualified to or be the Right. fit my or my kiddo
Dana:Yeah, because unfortunately, and I hate to, I hate to be like the bearer of bad news or negative Nancy, cause I'm really not, but you hear it more and more everywhere. I mean the whole gymnastics Olympics thing and the disgusting coaches and like the disgusting teachers and like, to say it, but you just never know who or when that is or where they are or what is going on. And there's been, there's been the same sort of thing in the dance field, people are super well known and then all of a sudden this story breaks and it's like, all the sudden a big no-no everywhere because, you know, and it's just unfortunate because they're super talented people and they're probably people that, you know, have had a lot of success and then maybe, I don't know, have just gone down the wrong track or whatever, but I mean, to be working with kids and with, again, going back to the whole kids who like can't these things, or Don't know How deal with these
Trevor:Yeah
Dana:or how to look for these red flags or what you just you be too careful And I don't mean that to, be a scary thing because I think overall the dance world is not a scary place Like want to make it seem that way And it's it's so good kids It's just, think with anything in life these days you have to be extra careful and know what you're getting into
Trevor:Sure. Yeah. We know about it now.
Dana:the yeah
Trevor:You don't put so much stock and that's, that's like a totally different rabbit trail too, but don't put much sack in the person's expertise that you forget about the rest of the picture. Like in your example, if a person is, uh, an expert performer that doesn't necessarily make them a great or in the case of of those awful cases that you're mentioning probably great technicians within their field study, but maybe have other other priorities or are misguided priorities. So, um, and I think what you're saying though, too, or what I heard was there, especially within the professional sports world and it would be easy or is easy to idolize people who. Very well-known or experts or claims to be experts in a field that shouldn't disqualify them from screening, some type of screening again, to look to see is this the right fit for my kid. Um, and yeah, that's yeah. Lots of scary stories within,
Dana:Yeah but you're right You're right And at the end of the day it's like it comes down to those two things I think is like the safety of your kid in general
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:the credentials of the dance and fitness background And those are two big things to look into and to look at
Trevor:Yeah. Well, I hope that as part of this conversation, we've promoted of dance studios and instructors And the 2% that sucked or have bad motives that parent calls them out truly and uh helps them find a different career path
Dana:Well, and it's so true. I can't tell you how many times you used, you mentioned like you, you might be, uh, an expert performer and technician, but you, you just can't teach or it's not for you. And there are people out there you know, love dance with all of their heart. And maybe they're not the best performer. They don't have the best technique, but they are like the best because they have the heart to do it and they know a lot about it and they can relay that and help, you know, students, kids, whatever thrive, because they have a lot of that solid background. So yeah
Trevor:yeah. That's awesome Before I totally gears and I I went back and forth on whether I was even bring it up but it's has gotta be helpful NFL players too And I'm not saying I'm trying to push any of the Buffalo bills running backs to maybe join your studio at pier
Dana:Oh my gosh.
Trevor:Uh but
Dana:Yeah,
Trevor:guys like that too because one of the things you mentioned way back and I've been resisting the whole time is the the low impact stuff like the strengthening without bulk And that made me think of some of
Dana:yeah,
Trevor:who have been on like dancing with the stars such in the past
Dana:yeah.
Trevor:have heard that a variety of football players and some of them who are really the best at their position also took different types of dance classes or ballet throughout their life And it helped them a great deal So um the Bill's
Dana:Yes it does.
Trevor:the Buffalo bills has been struggling. So if any of this happens to get shared with the Buffalo
Dana:my gosh.
Trevor:hit up
Dana:Okay. Come find me.
Trevor:come find her You gotta have a little fun with it you know
Dana:Yes.
Trevor:It'd be cool to know them
Dana:Yeah, no, I feel like I feel like it, I mean, just to, yeah, I agree with you. And I actually, this is, we talked about this a little bit previously and I don't need to get fully in detailed, but I worked at UBI for some time in the athletics department and I taught dance classes there. And I, I did get a lot of athletes in my classes, football players, players, different things. And I mean, I don't know what the reason was for taking their class necessarily, but I have a feeling that maybe even their coaches like, go take dance class because. It is, it's a great cross training. It's very different than what they normally do on a normal basis. I'm assuming not that I've ever like trained to be a football player, but I it's. It's very, it's like you said, it's not bulk, it's not running, it's not lifting these super heavy weights. It's not, um, you know, whatever else they do. And, uh, it does help a lot with like balance and agility and flexibility and, and finding like the, the small control in your, in your movements and, and how to kind of control your, body in that way. It's just different. So yeah. Come, come out. Sports players.
Trevor:That's what I'm
Dana:It has.
Trevor:them all in Josh Allen seems to be pretty good at running but he could probably be better at um something dance And that would be cool thanks for entertaining My football question I tried really hard not to bring
Dana:course.
Trevor:um last last couple little things If you were going to go back and tell yourself by the way before I even asked that question um as I was reflecting and listening to you and and of the the more broad picture about you being here in this moment of
Dana:Yes,
Trevor:as a leader uh albeit nominated by my wife are not that old hopefully in the grand scheme of what is expected the average
Dana:I'm 30.
Trevor:recently you
Dana:It was my big 30 this year, dirty 30.
Trevor:and I mean I don't know at what point we as as people or in our society are expected to know a lot or be experts but I just want to throw a compliment to you on how much you do know about your field I know it's your passion area And a lot of people have passion areas I also know it's the field you studied and a lot of people a lot of things, but you have merged those two things. And what I think is a really admirable way. And like you are at the beginning phase of your career, hopefully, but also obviously like still relatively early in, you know, a lot about a lot. And I think it's really cool and it can be really valuable to people. So, um, That, that is why I think you have the credence to answer this question, which is what would you tell yourself three years ago? Or what would you tell somebody who's in a similar Stan circumstance to you who is in the fine arts or in college and trying to find their way through it. What is something that you think would have accelerated you or have made yours your experience a little bit better that might help someone
Dana:Yeah. So I feel like honestly since that has happened like my life has whirlwind since college because and I think the reason for that is the hustle I'm doing w I making I love my career and that's not easy And it's it's not I mean as much as you love I do still love it but you lot of times are going to have to hustle to make it happen
Trevor:Sure
Dana:I feel like since day and having the million jobs all these things and working as crazy nights and whatever I feel like a lot of times I would be like what am I what am I doing what is happening right now Why am I doing this Or like where am I where am I heading What is my what my end goal here And I would just say to like keep going. I did keep going. I am going now I'm still
Trevor:Yeah Climbing
Dana:where I'm heading I mean I've I'm glad that yeah it's like life, life is changing. Things are changing, things happening Um in in that moment like you don't know what the outcome's going to be. You don't know what going to come from it, but give it your all and if you you know chosen to do something or you've taken on opportunity or or you're you know working with or you're collaborating you're making a connection like do it your best ability like give it your all Um and and just keep going because
Trevor:Yeah
Dana:know what doors gonna open And and by keep going, I don't mean like rush through things and just interest doo doo doo doo doo. Like I think if anything, to go back and tell myself is to make sure that I enjoyed the moment and like sink in the moment in the present. Like, this is what I'm doing right now. I'm doing this because I love it. I'm teaching this class right now because I love it. It's like I've saying the animal action song 5,000 in my life with my three-year-olds and I'm like, I'm going to do it again because I love it. It's you know, and sometimes it is, it comes down to those minor, those little moments that you're like, okay, I do this again, but part of the bigger picture. And it's part of, what's going to like help you accomplish these dreams or keep climbing the ladder to the top of, of your dream or like whatever you want to accomplish one day. And, and to going back to that, I guess analogy you could say is. To you singing animal action, which is a really fun kid's game. If you ever look it up, but if you're singing action for the thousands time to you, it's like, okay, this is the 5,000 time. And I'm putting on my fake smile and seeing you in election. But to that kid, it's like, this is the best part of my day. You know? Like they love the song and they love it. And it's like, you, you just sometimes forget how you have an impact on even little kids or whoever it is, whoever you're working with, wherever you're collaborating with customer you're serving that day. It's like you have the ability to kind of make their day great and change their day or change their mood. And, um, I think the more you can kind of go through life with that in mind, the better, I mean, we all forget it. I forget it sometimes too. We all have bad days, but, um, and then the second thing that I really think I I'm getting better at, but is it's okay to say no sometimes, um, no, as a hard word, like a people pleaser. I am someone who wants to say yes all the time. I want to help everybody. I want to do all the sayings. Um, I can't do all of the things. I've learned that several times, whether it's spreading myself too thin, whether it's not sleeping, whether it's, you know, not any me time, which is important. Um, and I think a lot of times you just, you have to true to yourself and if it's not right for you, or if you need the day off or if you need whatever, like sometimes you have to say no, and even if you don't want to, I think it's necessary. And I think there probably were a few times in my past where like, I, I could have, should have maybe said no and that's okay. You know? Um, and I think the sooner you realize that the, the healthier it is for yourself, I feel like that, that, that one's kind of hard. And I think it comes with age because. And the college world and where, when you're trying to enter the workforce, it's like, sometimes you have to say yes, or you feel like, okay, I have to take this job. Or I have to have to do this thing to like, make my renter this bill or whatever it is. And it's, it's hard cause you, you, you feel like you have to do And you know, in some cases you, you may have to, um, but kind finding the opportunities where if, if you have the option and you really don't think it's the right thing to do, or you need the break, like I said, then just saying, no,
Trevor:Yeah. Yeah, well, I I I appreciate that both parts because I think you talked about essentially like the two two things in balance which is work hard and stick with it and take a break once awhile. Uh, and, and I'll add my own suggestion to somebody who's willing to take those two pieces of advice, which is, if you, if you're interested in having a vision like you did, or if you have a passion area that you're that dedicated. Make sure you do have a vision to go with it because the vision will help guide you in decisions, both in the decision of when to, when to stick with it and when to take break. Because, what I have learned also is that if you do have a vision and you take a break from it, as as you have vision, maybe you do take, you know, a couple of days off sets you back like a week, you know, like what's a week in the grand scheme of the vision that you're chasing after. So, um, and, and I think that that's probably true of your story is you knew where you want it to be in large part, thanks to your parents, support through that. And if you took a side road somewhere along the way, it's not going to divert you from your path. That's just going to give you a moment to breathe, recharge, and come back and kick it in the butt. So, uh, I got a little emotional as you were talking about it. That's awesome. And then the last, the last piece I want to know, and this, this is, this is for you. Uh, well, that's not true. Apparently I have want to know something that you want to keep So if you think of what you have now you are really truly at a really interesting place career wise but what is something you hope to retain you look at this three years from now the pure bar has been wildly successful You're co-owner of another Um maybe like private tutor know Devin Singletary not name dropping any bells players but been wildly
Dana:in your dreams. Yeah.
Trevor:all fantasy football players everywhere
Dana:Maybe if they come in, get you to take class right
Trevor:no I'm to take a class, feel compelled to
Dana:Okay. Okay. All right. But you definitely would, if there were NFL players involved,
Trevor:I think it would be a good marketing scheme And I also think it could
Dana:there you go.
Trevor:based on what you've taught it's really more about them
Dana:Yes,
Trevor:I just think it would be super
Dana:exactly.
Trevor:Um
Dana:Yeah.
Trevor:but I but I hope for you and I believe in you and I think that you're going to be really successful So as you look down the road of being wildly successful what do you hope that is really important to your core of who you are now What do you hope that you don't lose
Dana:Yeah. Um so I think, so my favorite quote for a very long been happiness is the secret to beauty And I don't know why it's always vibed with me I like it because obviously like beauty is in the eyes of holder of beauty is. Perspective Beauty is a lot of you know,
Trevor:Sure
Dana:a lot of different things to a lot of different people And nothing more than like seeing someone radiate with happiness and that's that's like a beautiful thing to me and I think you can't really fully encompass that unless you, like what you do And I think that's a blessing And I think what like we kind of said before like everybody does that right now and that's that's okay And that's a choice too and you know you do you, but I think it would be an amazing beautiful thing if everybody kind of embraced what they love and they were do that as a living So I don't want to lose is that and my passion for What I do and that, you know, in the years to come, I'm still passionate about it and, you know, things. May change and life may change. Or like you said, you don't know where the road's going to take you, you have to enjoy you do. that is one thing. And one tangible thing kind of that I never want to stop doing is teaching.
Trevor:Okay.
Dana:because I think, and in the heart of it all, like, you know, dance is my heart, right? But now as you get older, I'm not, I don't perform, I, I'm not getting on stage. I'm not that that's just not, it's not me anymore. It's not what I do. I'm, I'm not in the, you know, area anymore to do that. But I mean, teaching is how I teaching is dance now to me, like
Trevor:Sure.
Dana:my, that is my vice. That is when I get to be creative. That is when I get to with, um, you know, students. That's when I get to. Make a piece, put something together, put it on a stage, put costumes on pick music. Like still something that is a super creative outlet for me. and same with pure bar. Like I, I get deeper into business things and, you know, try and grow the business and, and make it the best it can be. I don't want to eliminate the teaching aspect because that's what made me love it.
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:the people that I meet. I love the lives that I touched doing it. I love being in the studio and forgetting about everything else going on and kind of losing yourself in the room with people who are doing the same thing, you know, I think as time goes on, whether I lessen teaching schedule, I will never stop teaching. So I would say, you know, to apply that to whoever is listening or whoever is kind of following their dream is like, what is the one thing that you. Loved initially doing or that got you into this. And you get away from that, how do you come back to it? Or what are you going to do to like, maintain that one thing that you to do?
Trevor:Yeah,
Dana:Because a
Trevor:Otherwise,
Dana:I
Trevor:yeah.
Dana:on a last note is like, I love pure bar, but then running a business of pure bar is very different than I love pure bar. Do you know
Trevor:Sure. Yeah, yeah,
Dana:taking the class. I love being in the studio. I love teaching then running a business or, you know, your business or, uh, even a boutique where they sell retail. It's like, oh, I really love fashion. And I love retail, but then the minute you're running the business, that's a very different,
Trevor:yeah.
Dana:thing, a very different job. And it's a lot of different learning curves and different things that you end up being responsible for that take up a lot of your time.
Trevor:yeah, yeah, no doubt. That's actually, it's funny, like in closing that you said it that way, this is, to me, that's, that's what I hope the podcast over time will continue to be for me because the podcast like this podcast, it probably could provide revenue, like from a business standpoint. That is not my goal with the podcast. Um, the, I, I love to learn and I want to connect people in that facility in. You didn't ask and I'm going off on a tangent, but I relate to what you're saying, because facilitation, the word facilitation is app too. That is my dance. Um, I love to connect people. I know that I am not the most relatable guy in the room. I know that I don't have all the technical skills that a lot of other people have, but what I can do is, is hopefully bring out wonderful things from people that other people can relate to. So, um, I appreciate you being here to allow me to flex my passion a little and for you to talk about your passion through it, because that was super fun. What can people do to support you and peer bar? How can like, is there a way to, I know the answer is yes. How do people get in touch and follow you and follow your story and support what your passion is?
Dana:Um, well, if you're in the Buffalo area and you want to try a class, you're welcome to come on out. Um, just pure Barre, Buffalo, and you'll find us. We're the only studio in Buffalo. you can follow us on Instagram, it's, um, app your Buffalo. We have a Facebook page. You can like that. we do have a free intro class that if you want to try and then, you know, take some classes. but yeah, I mean, I think, I think another, another thing I like too. Now that we are small business owners and it's pretty rockin. but like supporting a small business is supporting a dream at
Trevor:Yeah,
Dana:And it's pretty cool to be able to do that. And you said, I help you. You help me, like, this is pretty cool to just collaborate in itself. And I think Amazon's taking over the world and like all these, it's just like, we're losing touch of like the humanity side of it. And I think in general, I mean, you know, supporting me, supporting you, whatever, it's just like, like shop small and, and support the people around you and the community around you and, do what you can to like, keep, keep it real because the world is, is slowly getting to a very, not real or very, um, I don't even know what the word is I want to use, but
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:just everything is that everything is at your fingertips
Trevor:Yeah.
Dana:be that easy sometimes. You know,
Trevor:Well,
Dana:just getting to the point of,
Trevor:I don't know if it makes it easier. I think it, it makes it easier to get the hit of dopamine, but I don't know that it makes it easier to survive and to be human. So I think.
Dana:Right,
Trevor:think you sharing your, your dance with people is, is amazing. I'm excited. I will link the things we talked about today. Um, as many as I can because, uh, links are how I work, hyperlink everything, um, send all the people to all the places and we'll connect, um, some of some of that stuff together, but I really, really, uh, so appreciate all of the things you covered today in terms of sharing your knowledge, your, your story. I think that there's probably a lot of people in the general field that will take a lot away from this, but I also hope that parents, um, can take a lot from this. And there's certainly a lot of COVID based parents. So, um, especially from our generation. So thank you so much for being here. Dana Mahoney, dance queen of Buffalo.
Dana:Thank you. Thank you for having me. It was a great time and yeah, I'm excited if anyone's listening and wants to reach out or has questions, I'm happy to help where I can.
Trevor:you, Dana.