What does it really take to build a creative business from the ground up?

In this episode, I’m sharing something special — a behind-the-scenes conversation about my personal journey as a creative entrepreneur.

You’ll hear stories about how I got started, how I developed my business skills along the way, and how technology has both helped and challenged my growth.

We also dive into the deeper stuff:

- navigating societal expectations

- redefining success

- staying authentic in the face of external pressure

- what it means to be an entrepreneur in the creative arts today

Whether you're building something of your own or dreaming about where to start, I hope this episode encourages you to keep going, keep creating, and keep trusting your voice.

An intensive is an incredible opportunity to make life-long friends, leave your daily routine behind and immerse yourself in what you love most: ballet.

To get the most out of your experience, it's important to prepare both your body a few weeks in advance. Here’s how:

✅ Stand more - you’ll be on your feet a lot.

✅ Bulletproof your ankles & calves.

✅ Hydrate & plan your electrolytes.

✅ Practice proprioception & balance.

✅ Step out of your comfort zone & connect – If there’s a community forum, introduce yourself before the intensive starts! You can also research local restaurants and invite fellow dancers to join you for dinner.

Packing Essentials:

🎾 Massage ball or gun – Your muscles will thank you!
💧 Water bottle – Stay hydrated.
🍌 Snacks – Make sure to get enough protein.
🩰 Extra leotards – Yup, you will sweat!
♻️ Old leotards – Suggest a leo swap with fellow dancers for fun!

A little preparation goes a long way. Get ready for an amazing experience! 🌟

We are so excited to share this very special episode with you! This week, you asked, and Julie answered!

Order your copy of Broche Magazine POINTE Edition: https://brocheballetonline.com/shop

She responds to your pointe shoe questions (see below) but also takes us through her pointe journey, showing us all her beautiful shoes, including the ones she wore for her wedding. Spoilers: It’s going to be sparkly! ✨💎

Join us as Julie shares stories about her very first pointe fitting with 19, the challenges she faced and her experiences with different shoe models, including the act'Pointes.

Finding the right pointe shoe is such a personal journey. Every dancer needs a shoe that supports the unique anatomy of their feet. We hope this episode helps you better understand your own needs and encourages you to keep working toward your pointe goals!

Listen, or even better, watch and enjoy!

Here’s what Julie talks about in the Q & A section:

1. What are your most recommended stretches and exercises for getting over your box?

2. What are your most recommended exercises for improving your wing range of motion and strength?

3. Do you have any pointe shoe hacks?

4. Do you break in your pointe shoes in anyway?

5. What pointe shoes do you wear? What pointe shoes have you tried? What do you need in a pointe shoe?

6. Have you ever considered becoming a pointe shoe fitter?

**Links:

- Can adults go en pointe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FudxyDjED18

- How to go en pointe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg6noSbMl_0

- Criteria for pointe readiness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skrw41u2JS0

- My story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HcTBI-4yvo

This week on Broche Banter, we’re switching things up! Our very own Julie takes the guest seat as the wonderful Grace Owen, dancer, dance photographer, and popular returning guest on the show, leads the conversation.

Julie opens up about her unconventional ballet journey, starting at 17, moving to New York and discovering not just ballet classes, but also herself. She shares the realities of running a business, from compromise and authenticity to productivity and handling negativity in a way that fuels growth.

We also dive into her transition from having a physical studio to a virtual one during the pandemic and we celebrate her pioneering work in creating performance opportunities for non-professional dancers to step into the spotlight.

This episode is a reminder that no dream is too late, no path too unconventional and no passion too small to pursue. ✨

This week, it's just us and Julie, the heart and soul of Broche Ballet!

Julie’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. With no dance background but a varied musical education, she discovered ballet at 17 and it was love at first sight.

While studying computer science in New York, she filled her free time with as many dance classes as possible, even training privately. She pushed her limits, auditioned for summer intensives and spent seven weeks immersed in ballet training.

Balancing a programming career with her passion wasn’t easy and she nearly walked away. But life had other plans for her.

When her beloved teacher, Beth, could no longer teach, Julie stepped in. What started as a temporary job became a calling. She moved to Denver, opened Broche Ballet, and grew it from a handful of private lessons to the thriving community we are part of now.

Did you know that the International Adult Ballet Festival she founded is now in its 4th year?

Tune in as Julie shares the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, why she’s dedicated to teaching adults and what it takes to follow your passion even when the path is uncertain. 💕🩰✨

In this episode of Broche Banter, it's just me—just me and YOUR questions! I’m diving into some of the most common challenges adult ballet dancers face, including:✨ How to self-improve when taking recorded classes alone✨ If you only have time for barre or center, which should you prioritize?✨ Where to start when working on double pirouettes✨ Why balancing is so hard—what is proprioception, and how does it help?✨ Should you take private lessons? Are they worth it?Have a question you'd love me to answer on a future episode? Drop me an email at [email protected]—I’d love to hear from you!

In this inspiring episode, we’re excited to welcome back Kelsey Maloney-Steiner, co-founder of Facet Dance Collective.

Their latest production, "Garden of Dreams“, an adaptation of the classic Nutcracker ballet, has just premiered, and Kelsey opens up about the doubts, frustrations and setbacks that come with creating a large-scale performance.

We dive into the reality of stage fright and the challenge of watching yourself on video after a live performance. Kelsey reminds us that everyone, who has ever created something big started small and made mistakes. What truly matters is the willingness to learn and grow.

This episode is a powerful reminder to take risks and bring our creative visions to life.

What’s the dream that lives in your heart?

Get in Touch:

Facet Dance Collective: www.facetdancecollective.com

Instagram: @facetdancecollective

This week, we welcome back Erica for an inspiring conversation about her adult dance studios in Rochester, New York, where dancers of all levels—ballet and jazz alike—get the chance to shine. From competition teams to breathtaking performances with her Rochester Adult Ballet Company, she shares how she’s creating opportunities for adults to step on stage and live their dance dreams.We also dive into the art of partnering, exploring how each dancer’s unique anatomy impacts ballet technique. Plus, you won’t want to miss Erica’s behind-the-scenes stories from their production of A Nightmare Before Christmas—from auditions to the thrill of filling seats in the audience.➡️ rochesteradultballetcompany.com➡️ tournesoldance.com

This week, we’re excited to welcome Allie, a dancer-turned-coach with an inspiring story of resilience and discovery. Like many dancers, Allie once believed that aches and pains were just part of the job—until a serious hip injury sidelined her completely. After traditional methods failed, she took a leap of faith and turned to strength training. The result? Her pain vanished!

Now, as a coach for dancers of all ages, Allie is on a mission to redefine how we approach injury prevention, recovery, and conditioning. In this episode, we dive deep into the benefits of cross-training and strength work, strategies to build physical and mental stamina, and actionable ways to keep ballet training safe and sustainable for dancers at any age.

Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just starting your ballet journey, you’ll learn how to move smarter, honor your body’s unique needs, and take better care of the amazing instrument that carries you through every step. Don’t miss this empowering conversation!

***Absolute Beginners Guide To Strength For Adult Dancers

https://app.arketa.co/iframe/alignfitnessbyallie/series/zY6ammrrZXCl0qjtIBNT

***7 Day Free Trial of Dancer Strong Platform

https://www.dancerstrongprograms.com/pricing

***Allie on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/alignfitnessbyallie/

***Allie on Youtube

anva.com

***Email Allie at [email protected]

This week, we sit down with Dennis to hear his inspiring journey into the ballet world. Starting from humble beginnings with YouTube videos, Dennis opens up about the challenges he faced—feeling like an outsider, encountering unreliable teachers, and coming close to quitting ballet altogether. Everything changed when he discovered Julie’s class, where he's been dancing consistently for the past eight years.