Fanshawe grad dancing to success
Amy Lynn Currie is a former Fanshawe student who has opened her own dance studio, Unscyene Studios. Racel Sopoco is the hip-hop coordinator, and is a current student at Fanshawe in second year Fitness and Health Promotion. Melissa Kloiber is the studio's lyrical coordinator, and is also currently a Fanshawe student. Currie studied the two-year Business and Marketing program, and was accepted into third year Marketing Administration.
A.R.: How did that education help benefit/direct you to where you are today?
A.L.C.: It gives you real life exposure to other businesses; you get hands on experience seeing how they manage companies and you see their problems and their successes so you're learning from them. It really suited me as an entrepreneur because it taught me everything about resources, accounting, management, advertising, financing, and everything you need to know - which gave me confidence when going into my own business.
A.R.: How did you come to realize that you wanted to open your own dance studio?
A.L.C.: During college I directed a dance studio in Windsor, but I was very limited in my roll there. I fell in love with the community here in London, and made it my home and felt confident to open. It's very exciting to know what we're going to do within the next year, and being able to be in control of where the company is going to go. I know this is for me because I never have to go to work; I get to dance all day.
A.R.: Is this your dream job?
A.L.C.: Yes, this is absolutely my dream job. I get to help people relieve stress, stay fit, and even bring families together by doing family programs, and I love working with kids
A.R.: How long have you been dancing for?
A.L.C.: I started dancing when I was seven, so a total of 16 years, and I would love to keep going for another 16 years. All the dance styles vary from town to town — London is very competitive, and since my training is from Windsor, I offer a different program. All the instructors here are well qualified and experienced in their disciplines. They are also all first-aid certified.
A.R.: Tell me about the process of running your own business
A.L.C.: Getting started it the hardest part and you have to stay motivated throughout all the roadblocks. Your business plan will be the backbone of your company, and you're going to want to tweak it a lot. You need a lot of support, not only from family, but the banks here are great with supporting small businesses. Your landlord will become your best friend - a good landlord wants to see you succeed. Make sure you do it right the first time — ask yourself if it's a need or a want, and make sure your budgeted very well, but make sure you also have all the necessities because your first impression is lasting — so do it big. Always be proud of what you do, because people are going to know you, so take pride in yourself. Once the business is up and running its a matter of taking time out for yourself. Appreciate everyone and don't take your help for granted. I've gone back to the college and used my teachers to help me with advertising. Never burn your bridges with anyone because networking is very important. There are very tiring, long hours, and it's harder to justify a sick day to your clients than it is to your boss. You can't be sick and you can't be tired — there's no such thing as a holiday. It's very hard work, but very rewarding when someone says “you own that” and you get to say, “yeah I do”, and then it all pays off. And it's very exciting what we're going to do within the next year, and being able to be in control of where the company is going to go.
A.R.: Do you have any regrets?
A.L.C.: Sometimes I regret doing this so young because this is my life now. I'm not going to get to travel, and starting a family is on hold because this needs my 100 per cent dedication until it's up and running for the next three years. Also, a lot of people don't take you seriously when your young and they second-guess what you're capable of.
A.R.: What is your most memorable moment from your time at Fanshawe?
A.L.C.: Third year with the professors we were a very close-knit group. It required us to work long hours and it was not advised for a student that was working at the same time. We had up to 30 hours of class per week. My most memorable moment would be spending so much time with the prof's and having to work through lunch, and filling the alumni hall. I recommend third year to any business student. You learn what you're made out of and what your classmates are made out of. You get to know your prof's in a new way - they become your mentor and your friend rather than just a teacher. And at the end of it all, graduation was an amazing day.
A.R.: What was your first job?
A.L.C.: I was a day camp counselor when I was 13. It was two other leaders and I, and we had 75 kids and a park, rain or shine. It really put multitasking into perspective, emphasized the need of health and safety, and reminded me how amazing kids are. Without those jobs I wouldn't have the credentials to become a teacher as young as I did.
A.R.: What would you like to tell everyone about dance?
A.L.C. Everyone can do it whether it's for stress relief, something you do secretly, or something you push yourself to do for fitness or for fun. Everyone does it at home in their bedroom so why not come out and achieve a goal. It's as much of a sport as it is an art.
A.R.: If you could tell Fanshawe students one thing, what would it be?
A.L.C.: You'll miss these days. Stress over only what you can control, don't ruin your college career stressing over the things you can't control. Go to class in your PJ's and enjoy quiet nights to yourself. Make friends and also keep your friends.
A.R.: How did that education help benefit/direct you to where you are today?
A.L.C.: It gives you real life exposure to other businesses; you get hands on experience seeing how they manage companies and you see their problems and their successes so you're learning from them. It really suited me as an entrepreneur because it taught me everything about resources, accounting, management, advertising, financing, and everything you need to know - which gave me confidence when going into my own business.
A.R.: How did you come to realize that you wanted to open your own dance studio?
A.L.C.: During college I directed a dance studio in Windsor, but I was very limited in my roll there. I fell in love with the community here in London, and made it my home and felt confident to open. It's very exciting to know what we're going to do within the next year, and being able to be in control of where the company is going to go. I know this is for me because I never have to go to work; I get to dance all day.
A.R.: Is this your dream job?
A.L.C.: Yes, this is absolutely my dream job. I get to help people relieve stress, stay fit, and even bring families together by doing family programs, and I love working with kids
A.R.: How long have you been dancing for?
A.L.C.: I started dancing when I was seven, so a total of 16 years, and I would love to keep going for another 16 years. All the dance styles vary from town to town — London is very competitive, and since my training is from Windsor, I offer a different program. All the instructors here are well qualified and experienced in their disciplines. They are also all first-aid certified.
A.R.: Tell me about the process of running your own business
A.L.C.: Getting started it the hardest part and you have to stay motivated throughout all the roadblocks. Your business plan will be the backbone of your company, and you're going to want to tweak it a lot. You need a lot of support, not only from family, but the banks here are great with supporting small businesses. Your landlord will become your best friend - a good landlord wants to see you succeed. Make sure you do it right the first time — ask yourself if it's a need or a want, and make sure your budgeted very well, but make sure you also have all the necessities because your first impression is lasting — so do it big. Always be proud of what you do, because people are going to know you, so take pride in yourself. Once the business is up and running its a matter of taking time out for yourself. Appreciate everyone and don't take your help for granted. I've gone back to the college and used my teachers to help me with advertising. Never burn your bridges with anyone because networking is very important. There are very tiring, long hours, and it's harder to justify a sick day to your clients than it is to your boss. You can't be sick and you can't be tired — there's no such thing as a holiday. It's very hard work, but very rewarding when someone says “you own that” and you get to say, “yeah I do”, and then it all pays off. And it's very exciting what we're going to do within the next year, and being able to be in control of where the company is going to go.
A.R.: Do you have any regrets?
A.L.C.: Sometimes I regret doing this so young because this is my life now. I'm not going to get to travel, and starting a family is on hold because this needs my 100 per cent dedication until it's up and running for the next three years. Also, a lot of people don't take you seriously when your young and they second-guess what you're capable of.
A.R.: What is your most memorable moment from your time at Fanshawe?
A.L.C.: Third year with the professors we were a very close-knit group. It required us to work long hours and it was not advised for a student that was working at the same time. We had up to 30 hours of class per week. My most memorable moment would be spending so much time with the prof's and having to work through lunch, and filling the alumni hall. I recommend third year to any business student. You learn what you're made out of and what your classmates are made out of. You get to know your prof's in a new way - they become your mentor and your friend rather than just a teacher. And at the end of it all, graduation was an amazing day.
A.R.: What was your first job?
A.L.C.: I was a day camp counselor when I was 13. It was two other leaders and I, and we had 75 kids and a park, rain or shine. It really put multitasking into perspective, emphasized the need of health and safety, and reminded me how amazing kids are. Without those jobs I wouldn't have the credentials to become a teacher as young as I did.
A.R.: What would you like to tell everyone about dance?
A.L.C. Everyone can do it whether it's for stress relief, something you do secretly, or something you push yourself to do for fitness or for fun. Everyone does it at home in their bedroom so why not come out and achieve a goal. It's as much of a sport as it is an art.
A.R.: If you could tell Fanshawe students one thing, what would it be?
A.L.C.: You'll miss these days. Stress over only what you can control, don't ruin your college career stressing over the things you can't control. Go to class in your PJ's and enjoy quiet nights to yourself. Make friends and also keep your friends.
