Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Chernow.
Natalie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in Colorado and have been dancing all my life.
I attended college at the University of Arizona, majored in business and danced on the dance team all four years.
After college, I was offered the job as the head coach and choreographer for the Hurricanettes Dance Team at the University of Miami and moved down to Miami in 2014.
Upon graduating from college in 2013, I started my first company, College Dance Prep, which helps prepare dancers at the collegiate level. Two years later, in 2015, I started my second company, Pro Dance Prep, which helps prepare dancers at the professional level.
I served as the coach at UM for 5 seasons and now serve as the Coach and Choreographer of the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders.
I danced in the SuperBowl halftime show with Shakira and J Lo this February and choreographed Marc Anthony’s 300 person halftime performance at the El Clasico Soccer Match at Hard Rock Stadium in 2017.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As with all entrepreneurs, the road has not been easy or smooth. Through bumps, you learn your greatest lessons.
In the first few years of College Dance Prep and Pro Dance Prep, I faced issues with copycats. Other people trying to replicate the training or business model.
However, one of the best pieces of business advice I received early on was to protect EVERYTHING… and spend money on a great lawyer.
I spent years making sure I had trademarks on everything and protected every facet of my business. From the name to the curriculum, and everything in between.
In facing those challenges, we were well protected and our lawyer was able to take care of those issues.
Please tell us about College Dance Prep & Pro Dance Prep.
After growing up dancing my whole life, I wanted to continue that in college.
When I decided I wanted to audition for a collegiate dance team, I had no idea how to train. When I auditioned for the University of Arizona, 150 girls tried out for the team with four open spots.
Luckily I made it my first year, but it was a serious reality check of how many talented dancers there are in the country.
I majored in business at the University of Arizona, was on the dance team all four years, and was captain for two. Upon graduation, I noticed a need in the market for preparing dancers for collegiate dance teams. At 22, I started College Dance Prep, which started in one state with three employees, and has since grown nationwide.
We specialize in training dancers for collegiate teams across the country. We have a trademarked curriculum and hold group clinics, private lessons, and virtual training. All of our PrepMasters (instructors) are former or current members of collegiate teams.
At the same time as CDP was growing, I was working as the head coach of the Hurricanettes Dance Team at the University Of Miami. It allowed me to stay active in understanding the collegiate market, and fulfilling needs for dancers auditioning, (not only in Miami but across the country)
While spending 5 seasons coaching the Hurricanettes at UM, I started judging for the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders auditions as well. I noticed a similar need in the market at the pro level- girls who were auditioning needed tiny fixes that would help their chances of making the team.
With that realization, I created Pro Dance Prep. It holds the same values and concept of College Dance Prep, but at the professional level. The demand took off quickly, and we soon expanded into multiple states and employees.
Finally, in the next chapter of my career, I serve as the coach and Choreographer of the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders. In the same way, that coaching at the collegiate level at UM gave me insight for College Dance Prep, working for the Dolphins educates how I build curriculum and run Pro Dance Prep.
All in all, both businesses serve to give back to the dance community and help girls realize their dreams of dancing at the collegiate or professional level.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe luck has to do with timing. Great timing paired with seizing opportunities has led to the success I’ve found in business (and in life).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.collegedanceprep.com, www.prodanceprep.com
- Email: [email protected], [email protected]
- Instagram: @collegedanceprep @prodanceprep_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CollegeDancePrep/
Image Credit:
David Alvarez
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