Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Avakian.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In high school, when I was 15, my best friend’s mom refused to let us spend Friday nights watching TV at home, so she took us to a Salsa club in Studio City. I heard the music for the first time and I was able to escape all of the hurt and sadness in my life. I instantly became obsessed with this passion for dance and I knew I had to see my journey through to the end.
I decided I wanted to become a professional dancer and set my life out to achieve that goal. Later, after 10 years of competitions, teaching, supporting myself through dance training and working for multiple agents and studios, I realized that I wanted to have more freedom both financially and in other areas of my life. I decided I could have the ultimate control over my career if I started my own business. I took a risk and found a venue that could host my own dance events. I went to the first place that I had danced at back when I was 15 and through trial and error, I was able to start my very own salsa night. It has grown from 1 attendee on the first night, now reaching numbers close to 300 every night. Eventually, we grew to overcapacity and had to change venues. I was really proud to see the growth of my dance event. To this day, Salsa Wednesdays is a thriving business that I am very proud of.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was definitely not a smooth road. I had a hard family life and did not have their support, so I had to put myself through dance training on my own. I would work multiple jobs and sacrifice certain necessities and comforts so that I could financially support myself to use the money towards my dance training.
As a dancer, I encountered countless advances and unethical partners, studio owners, and agents. While I rejected these advances that could have helped me boost my career, my values and pride knowing that I had earned my way without compromising my integrity was a calling far greater than just having a successful career.
It has been a challenge to be a woman in a male dominated industry. As a businesswoman, I have had to work even harder and be even more successful to gain the respect of my peers in this industry.
Throughout my journey, I have also had to overcome many insecurities but as a result, I was able to discover my own strengths and power as I evolved into the successful dancer and entrepreneur that I was meant to be. Creating opportunities for myself, instead of waiting for opportunities to be given to me, has brought me more gratification and a greater sense of empowerment than taking the easier road.
Please tell us about Natalie Avakian presents: Salsa Wednesdays.
I am a professional Latin dancer, promoter, entertainment events producer, choreographer, and entrepreneur. I specialize in Latin ballroom and social dances, teach private lessons, and group classes. However, my focus has recently been on my Latin entertainment events business, creating weekly dance socials where we have over 300 people in attendance. These events are very special because it is a safe, fun, non-judgmental place for people of all ages and all walks of life to come together and socialize, dance, feel happy and feel acknowledged.
My business revolves entirely around dance, and it is my goal to inspire people through dancing whether I am choreographing, performing, promoting or teaching workshops. It is to bring people together in a safe environment and to use dance as an opportunity to help people connect with others and themselves. Dance has helped me learn to connect as well as to form relationships, and I believe dance is a tool to teach others to do the same.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would have taken my time and enjoyed the journey more. I would have been less hard on myself and forgiven myself for the opportunities that I was too scared to take. I wish I knew that doing my best was good enough instead of lamenting about how good I could be before I was ready.
My most valuable lesson was learning that I was never supposed to fit into the mold of how others thought a dancer should be, but to discover through my gifts and talents how to become the dancer that I was meant to be.
Pricing:
- $10-$15 for group classes,
- $85-$100 for private lessons
Contact Info:
- Address: Natalie Avakian presents
Salsa Wednesdays
Address: 12215 Ventura Boulevard #211, Studio City, CA 91604 - Website: www.natalieavakian.dance
- Phone: 8185338392
- Email: info@natalieavakian.dance
Image Credit:
Abraham Hernandez, Marco Ponce, Felipe Telona
