Today we’d like to introduce you to Andelin Mbaki
Hi Andelin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been dancing my whole life and I knew it was something I wanted to do for a really long time. I’ve been teaching at Ignite Dance Company for 4 years and counting. I’m double majoring in Dance Education and Exercise Science at SUU and I just knew my passion for dance will help me reach spaces and do things I never thought I’d do! I teach many different styles but Hip Hop has always been my focus and main style. I had a lot of moms reach out to me about doing a Mom Class and I thought the idea was brilliant!!! I waited a while because there were talks about maybe Ignite doing something like that but it hadn’t happened and I just felt like this was something I wanted to do! So to start it, I am taking a break from school this semester. I am working two jobs to be able to start it up. I created the website all on my own, I manage the social media all on my own for promotions, dance video content, dance pictures, to share different hip hop styles, etc. My dad has his own business and has helped me with business part of things, pricing, and marketing details. On the last Friday of January, I had a free trial class and it was great, I had a great turnout! Then every Friday from then we have class. It’s been going great, the only thing I would love to have is more consistent dancers but besides that I have been having a blast. I love creating an environment where women can come together, have a fun way to exercise, and express ourselves through movement. Though I say it’s a Mom Class it is open to moms and all adult women!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of my main struggles would be the inconsistency. I have different payment plans for my class. I started off with two which were the drop-in option as well as a monthly enrollment option. However, I have had more drop-ins than I had people enroll and register so that just caused a lot of inconsistency. To help with that I made a punchcard option, which will help get more consistent class members, but will also give them some flexibility because I know life happens and Friday evenings can be a hard time for a lot of people.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a dance instructor. I have been a teaching dance for about seven years. I started when I was 14 just assisting in the classes and then at 17 I started teaching the whole classes myself. I teach styles like jazz, ballroom, tap, lyrical, contemporary, and hip-hop. I do specialize in hip-hop as that was the style that I received most training for and that is a style that I am most known for. I am a student at Southern Utah University. I am double majoring in Dance Education and Exercise Science. I have been invited to lead and teach multiple dance classes at the college as they don’t have any hip-hop courses, so I have been blessed and fortunate to be able to share my art at the college. One thing I am known for is my knowledge and background of hip-hop. Specifically, I feel like a lot of people have this idea of hip-hop, but hip-hop itself has many different styles and forms, and I am known for being able to teach that and share that.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
First of all, I would say my parents. I have been taught and raised to work hard as well as be the one to take action. My parents have always taught us that it is good to work and good to be employed, but there is so much more in creating your own business and that is something that is stuck with me. My siblings have all been huge supporters and we are all in this together, so my family deserve all the credit that I give them seriously. Then next I would say my boss at Ignite Dance Company, Janene McCurdy. She has been a mentor, a teacher, a supporter, a friend, and she is the type of boss that wants me and wants her staff to succeed. For my Move It, Mama dance class we are actually using Ignite Dance Company’s studio. Janene has opened up her space for me and I cannot put to words, how grateful I am for that. Huge shout out to the Mom’s who wanted me to do it. I had the idea, but they are the ones who said it out loud and made it more real and have been encouraging me and pushing me to do it. They have been wonderful cheerleaders. And of course, the mom’s an adult woman that do come to class like they are the reason that I can do what I do.
Pricing:
- $13 Drop-In Class
- $45/month (four classes a week)
- $50 Punch Card (4 punches, 5th class free)
- $100 Punch Card (9 punches, 10th class free)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://moveitmama.org
- Instagram: _moveitmama
