Today we’d like to introduce you to Bree Hafen.
Bree, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Dance has been the thread running through my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in studios, fell in love with the discipline and creativity of the art, and never really imagined a future that didn’t include movement. I danced on my high-school and college teams, danced professionally, and then moved seamlessly into teaching and choreography — work that felt less like a job and more like my life’s calling.
At 29, as a mom of two, I made a spontaneous decision that would change everything: I auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance. To my utter shock and joy, I made it to Las Vegas. But while preparing for the next round, my body gave out before my spirit did. I tore both of my hip labrums, underwent double hip surgery, recovered… and tore them again. A second round of surgery followed.
Despite the pain, I kept teaching and choreographing as long as my body would allow. But with two more children and repeated injuries, I had to face the truth — my body couldn’t keep up with the career my heart still wanted. The thought of leaving the dance world broke me. I wasn’t done contributing. I wasn’t ready to walk away.
So I found another door.
I realized that while I might not be able to move the way I once could, I could still move the industry. I had always loved fashion, and I saw a gap in dancewear that truly excited me: dancers needed high-quality apparel that wasn’t just functional, but fashion-forward, comfortable, and empowering. Something bold. Something different. Something that made dancers feel fierce, free, and unforgettable.
And so, Tiger Friday was born — a brand where dance and fashion collide, where individuality is celebrated, and where dancers are encouraged to stand out rather than blend in. For the past eight years, that has been our mission: to create dancewear that elevates dancers not just in movement, but in confidence, identity, and joy.
What started as my way of staying connected to the dance world has grown into a global community of artists who inspire me every single day. Tiger Friday exists because my dance journey took an unexpected turn — and because I refused to let that be the end of my story.
It became the beginning of a new one.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I cannot imagine starting a business without struggles. Honestly, at the place we are now there are still struggles every day! One of the most difficult parts of starting a manufacturing based business was finding, hiring, and keeping quality manufacturers. We went through 4 really challenging ones before we found the current manufacturers we work with. Whether is was quality control issues, overpriced goods, missed deadlines, or bankruptcy – we struggled to find the right people.
The other struggle is how cutthroat the dance and fashion worlds can be. Competition is something I thrive on – but there has been more than just competition. We have had to deal with people trying to cut down our success at every turn. That was an unexpected struggle that has made us incredibly nimble, thick-skinned and creative. Truly, the business is at a point where nothing phases me – every stumbling block is a stepping stone.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The great thing about fashion and dance choreography is that they both stem from the same area of the brain. Using shape, movement, color, dimension – you can form something beautiful on the stage or the body! I have enjoyed using the creativity that I spent years honing in through dance to transition into dance wear. It has brought Tiger Friday a different depth that our competitors lack. We don’t just look at trends and copy what others are doing. We create art! We have also been able to give hundreds of dancers opportunities to design for us. Watching how the creative process between dance choreography and fashion design is so correlated continues to amaze me. And giving these dancers an opportunity to create outside of the studio has brought our brand another layer of uniqueness and offering.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Locally, we have a new flagship store where we love to pamper our customers. From the murals on the outside to the energetic vibe within – it’s a great place to shop, take photos, and lounge with creative minds!
We also have opportunity to train in our dance studio space through private lessons and rentals. All of the information regarding Tiger Friday Studio is found on our website tigerfriday.com
Finally, we have two outreach programs through which the community can help dancers in need. Through donating gently used danewear, or donating to the Tiger Friday foundation, we can all make a positive impact on those who’s opportunity to dance is threatened by financial or circumstantial hardship.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tigerfriday.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tigerfriday/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tigerfriday6189
