Meet Ashley Jones of South Bay and Long Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Jones.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began dancing at the age of 3 through an after-school session held at my pre-school. I was hooked and asked my mom for 6 months when I was going back to dance class. She finally caved and I began adding classes year after year in ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop. I rose to principal ballerina with a regional company, but was also a strong academic. I was accepted by the University of Southern California, subsequently graduated, and received my Bachelors in Political Science and Business Administration. All the while I was teaching dance, performing lightly, etc. throughout L.A.

Graduating during the peak of the recession left job options to be minimal. My parents worked for Northrop Grumman and I accepted a job in Global Supply Chain for the aerospace giant. I worked there for a few years, still teaching, still dancing, on the side. I was moonlighting for nearly 3 years before I was able to purchase my first home. Shortly thereafter, things took a sharp turn at work. The guy I felt was the one for me broke up with me. My family abandoned me because they did not approve of the relationship. And to top it all off, I had someone at my place of business who was chronically accusing me of violating company policies the culmination being an accusation I was having an affair with my 60-year-old director. All of it was false. However, I was at an all-time low and it affected me in a big way.

I started doing some soul searching and realized that all I ever really liked doing was dancing and I decided that it was what I was going to pursue full time. I saved my vacation, cut back on expenses, and kept quiet. I gave my 2 weeks’ notice uncertain as to what would happen and knowing everyone thought I was crazy. My mom told me I would end up homeless. As soon as word got out that I quit my job, I had phone calls from people I hadn’t heard of in a decade. I had job offers to travel the country judging nationally, choreograph for musicals, and I was able to pick up extra days at my current studio. I had so many offers I wasn’t sure what to do.

Now less than 3 years in business, I hold contracts with private schools, multiple private studios, am signed to a ballet company, and am working on developing an adaptive dance program through Segerstrom Center for the Arts. I continue to judge nationally, choreograph, and was recently accepted to the Master of Arts Program at CSULB where I will be studying to become a professor of dance. My long-term goals include writing college courses and further growing my students, studio, and business throughout the South Bay and Long Beach.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I had to make any and all decisions without support. The list of naysayers included those close to me which makes any goal that much more challenging.

I’ve also had to become HR, marketing, accounting, etc. Working for yourself has great rewards, but it also requires great sacrifice. I had also given up a lot of social and personal activities in order to live this life.

Ashley L. Jones – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a dancer, instructor, and choreographer for all level and all style of dance. I am an incredibly versatile individual with an expertise in all things dance from the business aspects to the creative. I am also one of few who specialize in and work with special needs students in the arts field. I am proud of all of my accomplishments, but what I am most proud of is having the guts to pursue my passion even if I didn’t end up where I am currently.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I think success has much to do with happiness and personal fulfillment. I remember having days where I dreaded going to work and now even on my worst day I never feel like that. This to me is a sign I did something right.

To say that success doesn’t trigger the thought of money, is naive. I can say that I was “tricked” into believing that dance was not a profitable nor feasible career, but I am happy to share that this is not the case. I own a home. I take vacations. I have a healthy savings. I own my car. I am able to give financially. I also view this as a success.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1749 Grand Avenue
• Website: www.Ashley-L-Jones.com
• Phone: 562-665-3665
• Email: Jonesintodance@gmail.com
• Instagram: JonesinToDance
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ashley-L-Jones-1430150170645317/?ref=br_rs
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ashley-l-jones-long-beach

Image Credit:
Daniel J. Sliwa
Chiabella James
Natalie Moser