In this quickie episode, we talk about the benefits of sharing information and ideas freely with other business owners, including those that are in the same business as ourselves. When we out fear and insecurity to the side, we make room for real growth.

Have you ever had a feeling like you wanted to branch out and explore all your passions and callings in life?  On today's episode, I talk with Roger Lee who works in academia, runs his own dance company, teaches, lectures, and is the first Dean of College in Pennsylvania's first new college in over a decade - all at the age of 35. So what's his secret to overcoming doubts, and just going for it? When so many people feel inspiration we get stalled in overanalyzing, Roger offers insight into how he's able to push forward and create a life the fills his soul and inspires all who meet him.

About Roger

Roger Lee is an award-nominated arts entrepreneur and an award-winning education leader. He currently serves as the first Dean of College at Philadelphia Performing Arts: A String Theory Charter School, the Founder and Owner of Roger Lee Arts, LLC (est. 2012), and the Founder and Artistic Director of Roger Lee Dance Company (est. 2012). He previously served as the Founder and Director of Roger Lee Arts Academy (2015-2017) and a freelance dance consultant, writer, judge, educator, and artist. As a freelancer, Roger served clients including Dance Magazine, Dance Studio Life Magazine, Dance/USA E-Journal, Joffrey Ballet School, Broadway Dance Center, The Rock School for Dance Education, Koresh School of Dance, Philadelphia School of Dance Arts, International Association of Blacks in Dance's Conference and Festival, Costume Gallery, and National Dance Showcase. He wrote three e-books, received over 80 book and media features, and gave a TEDx Talk about his career success.

Roger's Work

20th dance company concert series = Roger Lee Dance Company presents Aquarium: https://www.rogerleearts.com/dance-company-concerts.html

5th solo painting exhibition = Roger Lee presents Aquarium: A Solo Painting Exhibition: https://www.rogerleearts.com/original-paintings.html

Artist Career Consultations and Talks = https://www.rogerleearts.com/artist-career-advice.html

Sophomore E-Book = Artist Career Success Strategies: https://www.rogerleearts.com/artist-career-advice.html

Debut E-Book = Overcoming Dance Fear: https://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Dance-Fear-Roger-Lee-ebook/dp/B00ISCH33O

Connect with Roger

Instagram @RogerLeeArts

Email [email protected]

https://www.rogerleearts.com/

Our guest for this episode is the amazing Chasta Hamilton, talking about dance and our role as adults passing on the traditions of this great art form. Chasta talks about undoing so many of the things we think, do and say in the dance world. She's known as the one that left the dance competition world with her book "Trash the Trophies" but there's so much more that she has to share. 

About Chasta

Orphaned as a child, Chasta found comfort in the creativity, play, and catharsis of the performing arts. This led to a life as an arts entrepreneur, where she believes that everyone has the power to reach their fullest potential and disrupt the status quo in an empowering and inspiring way. She is personally doing that through her entrepreneurial endeavors, writing, and motivational speaking. This niche in change management has developed through a variety of personal and professional challenges that have forced her to find optimism in her quest for success, happiness, and impact. Chasta is the founder and CEO of Stage Door Dance Productions and the founder and president of the nonprofit Girls Geared for Greatness. She’s also a bestselling author (Trash the Trophies and Handle the Horrible) and speaker (TEDx: “You Weren’t Built to Break”). Chasta lives in Raleigh with her husband, John, their son, Bash, and their Scottish Terrier, Elvis. Her new children's book, The Trophy Trap, will be available this spring!

Find Chasta online at https://www.chastahamilton.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chastahamilton

Chasta's Books and Resources

The Trophy Trap Children's Book: Coming Spring 2024! - mentioned during the interview

Other Books:

• Trash the Trophies https://www.amazon.com/Trash-Trophies-Without-Losing-Your/dp/1544514271
• Handle the Horrible https://www.amazon.com/Handle-Horrible-Change-Triage-Joy/dp/1544534345
• Take Charge: Leadership Training: https://www.chastahamilton.com/take-charge-leadership-training

You know that feeling when you're in a group and the folks are just not at the same level, mindset or phase of business like you? We all do it, we find ourselves being the Smartest Person in the Room and we can easily fall into the habit of staying there and not pushing ourselves further personally or professionally. How do we get here? How do we get out?

One of the things that I've noticed in my studio business is the power of just asking questions to gain clarity. So many times people choose to run around in mental circles rather than seek answers from the person or resource that can provide factual information.

I've seen this among employees and customers, as well as with other dance studio owners. We expend so much energy wondering, worrying and guessing rather than getting to the information. Its as if we believe someone else will know better than us, or worse, that it  is ok to just waste time in the struggle to do something only later to have to undo it.

Why do we choose to be stuck when we could simply ask questions for clarity?

As entrepreneurs, we get drained and exhausted when we struggle to rest and work gets in the way or when we are trying to work and other elements of our lives get in the way. It is in this space between work and rest that so much of our frustrations come alive and fester, making us develop negative mindsets that don't serve us well. This episode talks about when these times occur in our lives and offers helpful tips for dealing with these feelings of in between.

There's so many things that a busy studio owner does each week to keep a thriving and active business. In this episode, we explore 4 things you can delegate to other team members to free up som e of your valuable time and work on the things you need or want to do instead. 

If you'd like to dive in and get your studio staff setup to free up more of your time and looking for some guidance along the way, Get Coached by Ginger today by visiting https://www.gingerhaithcox.com/get-coached 

Have you ever stopped to look at how complicated it is for people to pay you? Sometimes we make such convoluted processes in our business that people just don't bother trying to figure it all out. Simplicity is key here, and in this episode we talk about unraveling the pain of confusing messaging and processes that turn willing clients into lost deals. 

If you're ready to grow your dance business with the support of a trusted coach, visit https://www.gingerhaithcox.com/get-coached to start your coaching journey with me. Over 3-6 months we will transform your money and mindset and get things back on track. 

We love to root for underdogs, they make great stories, great movies, great inspiration, but when it comes to ourselves and our business, we seem to discount the underdog. Intrigued by this different perspective, this episode explores the realities of underdogs, and how they overcome and make successful businesses due to their tenacity and ongoing system of trial and error.

There's so many reminders each day to be gentle on ourselves, yet we find it so hard to do and so hard to remember. From being gentle to our bodies, to being gentle on our time and mental health, so many entrepreneurs struggle to embrace a gentler life, a life without hard hustle. The thing is, many of us set our own deadlines, our own expectations and our own project plans, but in the planning of our work, we need to include time for caring for ourselves and what we need. How many of us glorify the long hours without sleep? Yet we know that if we reflect on those that have changed the world and earned massive wealth, we see elements of being gentle: getting 8 hours of sleep, limiting alchohol, reading regularly, exercising and taking vacations. Let's explore how we can find ways to be gentle.

If you're ready for more peace and more profits in your life and business, then its time to get coached! Sign up for coaching at https://www.gingerhaithcox.com/get-coached and take action towards the life and business of your dreams.