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Meet Richelle Yau of Happy Dance Vintage in East Los Angeles

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Richelle Yau.

Richelle, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It came to me while on an airplane flight to my motherland, the Philippines. The idea of mixing my passion for dance and my love for vintage felt so right. I vividly remember the moment. I was so excited and jittery about the idea. I practically jumped in my seat on that airplane flight, leaned over to my husband, whispered my idea into his ear, and the rest is history.

My name is Richelle. Woman, wife, mother, sister, and friend. I am a Special Education teacher, dancer, soon-to-be movement therapist, and lifetime learner. My love for thrifting came from my childhood years. I grew up thrift store hopping with my family. If I ever came across a piece that I was debating on whether or not to buy, my sister would ask me, “well, does it make you wanna dance?”

Happy Dance Vintage has been inspired by just that. I source vintage pieces that cue all the urges to burst into a happy dance for all kinds of people. Each piece in my shop has been thoughtfully chosen by me in order to guarantee that joyful movement feeling, inside and out. I believe we should feel good in what we wear. I believe we should thoughtfully select pieces that make us happy dance. I believe in vulnerability and joy. I believe in meaningful connections with others. This is why I am here.

Don’t get me wrong. It took me almost a year to launch the business.

I gave birth to my first child in January 2020, and the postpartum journey was incredibly difficult. Aside from the process of healing, I was sitting in my own fear. Fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of disapproval. I was well aware that my idea of Happy Dance Vintage was a very vulnerable thing. It’s not easy for me to dance on a platform for a whole world to see while sporting some of my favorite vintage pieces. It was something I’ve never done before, but something was ticking in me and telling me that if an idea terrifies you, it’s probably an amazing one that is absolutely worth pursuing.

So, I dove right in, and I am hustling to make this happy dance dream of mine a reality.

I’ve got a joyful, fun-loving spirit. More than selling unique pieces, my hope is that others would also leave my vintage space encouraged and inspired. My hope is that they would be challenged to be their authentic selves. My hope is that others would leave wanting to get up and do their own happy dance, too.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Starting and running Happy Dance Vintage has not been an easy road.

First, postpartum recovery was extremely difficult for me. I had to come home with a catheter for the first two weeks! It took me a few months to figure out how to stay in touch with certain parts of myself. Even though I naturally changed as a woman for the better as I stepped into motherhood, I realized that I needed to intentionally prioritize pursuing things that give me life. Dance and movement is one of those things.

I finally launched Happy Dance Vintage five months postpartum, and there were many other obstacles that continually make it tricky to navigate. During the week, I am a full-time Special Education teacher. My days are mostly spent teaching, planning for my students, and being mama. While being mama is the most important role of all, I hustle hard and do everything I can to make Happy Dance Vintage happen. I use my breaks, I wake up early, I work late into the night. Currently, my husband is also working from home, and he has been an enormous help in allowing me and empowering me to pursue this dream of mine.

School is another thing. I am still on a journey towards becoming a dance and movement therapist, which means I am currently working on my doctorate in Clinical Psychology. My plate is definitely full, but I believe you make time for the things you want to happen. You see where you can delegate. You ask for help. You remain willing to make a change in your commitments if something isn’t working out. You remain flexible. You work hard.

As I sort through all of my current responsibilities here, I acknowledge that this definitely isn’t a smooth road. However, all of these things have been giving me momentum. I have no choice but to work hard if I want to pursue the things I am passionate about. More than anything, my baby girl motivates me. Her birth has made my creative side and my focus even sharper. She has made me more passionate, more loving, more driven. One day, I want her to look at her mama and to also be inspired to come alive in what gives her joy.

Happy Dance Vintage – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Happy Dance Vintage specializes in carefully curated women’s vintage clothing. However, we are still so much more than that. It is a small business that has been inspired by a joyful movement feeling. It is a space to declare to others that you should feel good in what you wear. What you put on your body should make you want to do your own happy dance. Happy Dance Vintage puts vulnerability and joy on the forefront, and it seeks to inspire authenticity and our true selves.

We are known for colorful living, vibrant style, and joyful movement. We are most proud of the fact that this small business currently runs purely on the energy, joy, and spirit of a passionate woman who simply loves to bring joy to others. In this case, joy is translated out of curated vintage and dancing.

We are set apart for these very reasons. The joy of living is seen and felt through the clothing. The joy of living is seen and felt through the movement. The joy of living is alive and evident at Happy Dance Vintage.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For me, success is when someone sends me a comment with the words, “Thank you for your joy.”

Recently, there was a direct message I received that was especially fulfilling. It was from a woman who had been experiencing some really dark days ever since COVID-19 hit. She took the time to write me and tell me how much joy my shop had given her. She shared how much the dancing videos inspire and encourage her to push through. While finances and sales are important to keep Happy Dance Vintage alive, those kinds of words are what truly make me feel like I am doing the right work. Those kinds of messages are the ones that make me take a seat, take a breathe, and take a moment to remember why I do what I do.

For me, success is when others come alive in their own unique, authentic selves as a result of me staying true to my own joy.

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