Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Rangel.
Hi Carlos, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The arts have always been an essential part of who we are as a family. They’ve shaped our identity, our friendships, and even our way of seeing the world. Growing up between Caracas and New York, I was fortunate to experience two vibrant cultural environments that deepened my appreciation for artistic expression. In Caracas, my family’s friendship with the legendary master teacher Lidija Franklin connected me to the world of classical dance, while my later years in New York exposed me to the rise of modern performance art — from the experimental energy of Twyla Tharp to unforgettable evenings at Lincoln Center. Those experiences left a lasting mark: art, in all its forms, is both a discipline and a source of joy.
Years later, when my daughter discovered her own love for ballet in Los Angeles, I felt drawn back into that world — not as a performer, but as a participant in its ecosystem. After moving to South Florida, I realized how my lifelong exposure to the arts, combined with my background in architecture, design, and education, could be applied in a practical, human way. That’s how Attitude Dancewear was born — not as a business venture alone, but as a bridge between creativity, service, and community.
We started modestly, with limited resources, personal savings, and a fair amount of sweat equity. Like many entrepreneurs, we took a leap of faith, relying on the belief that passion and integrity could sustain us. More than twenty years later, Attitude Dancewear has grown into a trusted space for dancers across South Florida — from Coral Springs and across Broward, to Palm Beach, Miami Dade, the central and southwest regions of the state, and beyond.
Our purpose has always been one of service and education. We see our role not simply as suppliers of dancewear but as mentors and advocates for the dance community. Every fitting, every conversation, is an opportunity to ensure that dancers — whether children or professionals — are cared for, informed, and supported. We take pride in our mission:
“To celebrate through our products and services the beauty of dance and the pursuit of physical and mental discipline and well-being.”
Even amid the challenges of today’s retail environment, the trust and loyalty of our customers sustain us. Dance schools, teachers, and families continue to see Attitude Dancewear not just as a shop to buy an item but as part of their extended community — a place where passion meets purpose and where the art of dance continues to inspire discipline, confidence, and joy.
In the end, what we offer is not only merchandise, but an experience: the warmth of a familiar space, the joy of discovery, and a shared belief that art and movement can bring people together. That, to us, is the right attitude.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but it’s been a meaningful one. Like most small, independent businesses, we started with very limited resources and a lot of faith. We built Attitude Dancewear from the ground up on what I like to call “bootstraps and sweat.” Our business is what we rely on for our daily living, unlike others who have dance shops mostly as a “hobby.” That is why we are dedicated to our work and to improving the experience for any person who walks in through our doors. There were times when keeping the doors open meant working long hours, handling every detail ourselves, and taking personal financial risks most people would shy away from.
The challenges weren’t just economic — they were also cultural and emotional. Retail has changed dramatically over the years, and small specialty stores like ours have had to constantly adapt to new realities: online competition, supply chain issues, pandemics, and shifting expectations. But what’s kept us going is the trust and loyalty of our community, and we thrive on that. When you see the same families come back year after year — when a child who once came in for her first leotard in our shop now brings in her own daughter — you realize it’s all worth it.
Every obstacle taught us something about resilience and service. We learned that success isn’t measured just in sales, but in relationships, in being seen as a part of the dance ecosystem — a place dancers rely on, not just for what we sell, but for who we are. That’s been our greatest reward, and perhaps our greatest struggle: to stay small, personal, and true to our mission in a world that keeps getting faster and more impersonal.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We’ve been in business for well over twenty years, always with the dance community in mind. Over that time, we’ve lived through every possible emotion that comes with being part of such a passionate world — moments of heartbreak and happiness, of craziness and troubling calm. The dance life enriches our daily existence; it inspires us, challenges us, and keeps us grounded every step. It is also hard work for everyone involved — from the dedicated parents and tireless teachers, to us, and above all, to the dancers themselves, whether they are young beginners or seasoned professionals.
We have the privilege of seeing it all. Every dancer who walks through our doors has a story. When a new dance parent walks in with their little one, we see the beginning of a journey — one that will shape that child’s confidence, creativity, and sense of self. We know some of those journeys in dance will be shorter than others as they start their exploration of life, but we also know that the experience of dance will stay with them forever. When a young dancer comes in preparing for competition, we witness dedication and willpower at their finest: the balance of physical rigor and artistic grace. Later, some dancers will return as college students, professionals, and even as teachers themselves. Some go on to Broadway, to Hollywood, or to join prestigious dance companies — and we love every step of their evolution.
We also hold deep respect for the instructors who guide these dancers. They are the unsung heroes who invest endless passion, patience, and wisdom into their students’ growth. And then there are the adults who come to dance later in life, seeking joy, expression, or simply a new challenge — we welcome them all. To us, everyone who enters our shop is special, a part of the world of the performing arts and dance; we do our best to make them feel that uniqueness. Just as importantly, each of them teaches us something in return.
From the very beginning, we envisioned Attitude Dancewear as more than a retail store — it’s a gathering place where dancers, parents, and teachers connect, learn, and grow together. That spirit of collaboration and celebration has carried us through the years, shaping everything we do and reminding us daily why we chose this path in the first place.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Over the years, I’ve learned that the best mentors often appear through genuine participation in the world you love. For us, being deeply involved in the artistic community — combined with a strong foundation in business — helped us build not only a company, but a network of relationships grounded in trust and shared purpose.
What truly strengthened our professional approach was listening and learning from the people who live and breathe this art every day. We’ve received invaluable feedback from long-time instructors, studio owners, manufacturers, and professional dancers. Their insight has helped us refine our craft and better understand how to serve the needs of the dance community.
If I had to give advice, I would say: don’t look for a mentor only in formal settings. Look for the people who are quietly excellent at what they do — the teachers who have shaped generations, the artists who still practice with passion, the colleagues who lead by example. Approach them with humility and genuine curiosity. Networking, in the truest sense, isn’t about collecting contacts — it’s about building relationships that make you better at what you do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.attitudedancewear.com
- Instagram: @attitude_dancewear
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/attitudedancewear
Image Credits
All photographs, illustrations or AI images are by Carlos J. Rangel or Julia Rangel or close friends and are authorized for use.
