Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Ricolt.
Hi Ana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My daughters were dancers from the time they could walk and I was a dedicated dance mom with a passion for the art. Seven years ago, my oldest daughter asked me to help her open her own studio, and after some planning, we opened Xplosive Dance Company together as a family and so with nothing more than a dream and a few dollars, we opened our doors and the adventure began…
It has been a beautiful journey for my daughters Gabriella, Ariana and myself. We all work together at the studio, giving our full attention to every detail of the business and we have given our heart and souls to the studio, making it our goal to share our love of dance with every dancer who has walked through our doors, giving them not only the tools and instruction to achieve their goals but also instilling in them the passion and love of the art of dance.
Watching our dancers grow and learn has been an experience the likes of which we had never had.
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?
As with all small business, it is never a smooth road. There are ups and downs. We have encountered financial struggles as we attempt to navigate a business that is not a necessity but rather a luxury for most families. We have come across difficult clients and troublesome neighbors.
But I think the reward of working with the amazing families that make up our clientele and our beautiful dancers and more than that, our dance family in general far outweighs all the struggles we as small business owners endure.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a small dance studio built by a family that is passionate about teaching children and dedicated to the art of dance and all its benefits.
We firmly believe that dance isn’t just about costumes and arabesques. There are so many things that are learned within the walls of our small studio and our dance floor, beyond ballet and jazz. We have watched our dancers grow into gorgeous human beings and become strong and loving members of a dance family that has seen us all unite as a team through some of the toughest things one could face. Through family struggles and first loves broken hearts, injuries, a pandemic and so much more.
We are best known for our consistent success in the competitive dance world, having achieved numerous national championships and countless choreography awards, accomplished by our team of amazing coaches and choreographers, Gabriella Ricolt, Julissa Valle, and Wilmar Marcano to name a few.
We are known for being the small studio with the strongest hardest working team. True underdogs in a dance world that has grown exponentially and encompasses so many mega-studios that far outnumber our tiny but mighty team, we stand successfully among the best of the best.
We attribute that to the dedicated and professional instruction given at the studio by our faculty of coaches, Ms. Gabriella Ricolt, Ms. Julissa Valle, Ms. Wilmar Marcano and Ballet Mistress Ms. Lizbeth Gonzalez, in addition to our studio manager, Ms. Ariana Ricolt who runs our small business like a well-oiled machine ensuring every detail of the “business” side of this creative powerhouse are in perfect order.
I think what definitely sets us apart from other studios is our commitment to inclusivity. We are firm believers that all you need is the “want” and determination to accomplish your goals. In a society where the fantasy of social media perfection is a part of our daily lives, we strive every day to teach our dancers that appearance truly does not define who we are as dancers or human beings. We are defined by our work ethic, respect for others, by our kindness combined with the determination to succeed.
As the director and business owner, I am most proud of our faculty and staff as well as our dancers. It has been the most fulfilling thing in my life so far to have seen my daughters and the other coaches who also danced with my daughters for many years transition from dance students to successful coaches, teachers, and choreographers, to watch them share their talent and love of dance has been a terrifically satisfying experience, truly a full circle. And to see our dancers learn from these amazing women and become the beautiful artist that they are makes me a very proud studio director.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
It may sounds cliché, but do what you love, and surround yourself with people who love what you do as well.
Find a mentor who is passionate about their field and let that energy be contagious to you. Soak in their drive and dedication.
When we do what we love, we want to share it and teach it, find a mentor who wants to give you all that they find exciting and satisfying about what they do.
Contact Info:
- Email: xplosivedance2015@gmail.com
- Instagram: xplosivedancecompany
- Facebook: Xplosive Dance Company
- Youtube: Xplosive Dance Company
Image Credits
JP Studios Photography
