Susan Pluse

Name:

Susan Pluse

Business:

Washington Dance Academy

Web site:

www.washingtondanceacademy.co.uk

Years in business:

1

Number of businesses:

1

I’ve danced since the age of four and by the time I was 12 I knew I wanted to get into the teaching side of things. It wasn’t as far ahead as running my own business though and I’ve never done anything like this before.

I had my three children quite young and was a full time mum so I didn’t get into teaching until I was 32. I loved dancing and wanted to use my experience to help other people.

I took a qualification to teach dance and I started off with a salsa class for adults two years ago and got a shock when 70 adults turned up.

I’m trained in Latin American and Ballroom so next I started a ballroom class for adults in a local social club and again it took off. Members were saying they would love their children to take up dance and I wanted to teach kids so I started classes for children.

I started the Susan Pluse School of Dance in February last year after leaving my part time job as a home help in July. I started off with eight children, now I get 135.

I teach the children at the Harraton Business Centre and as it is more serious for them taking grades and exams. I also teach in local primary schools.

I travel round the North East to teach the adults as their classes are more of a social gathering where they can have a drink and meet friends.

I haven’t had any financial support - I have done this myself. At first my outlay was a music system and CDs I had to buy. From there I have used profits to buy T Shirts and medals for the children as rewards.

I promote the classes in the local press and I changed the business name to Washington Dance Academy in January as I’m from Washington and I wanted to have that link for people looking in the phone book.

I think a mistake was putting on a class because people asked for it and said they would come but then they only showed up for a few. Follow your instinct of what will work.

The business has built up really quickly and I’m hoping to grow it. I phone round local community centres and clubs to put classes on. I make a profit after I have paid for room hire, but I would love to have my own premises by 2010. I’ve also taken on three staff to teach disco, tap and cheer leading.

It has been more hours and work than I expected but it is worth it. My youngest child loves dancing and helps with the classes while my eldest is a receptionist so it’s a real family effort. My fiancé was a huge support – I don’t think I could have succeeded without a supportive partner.

I would say to other emerging entrepreneurs if you really want to achieve something just go for it. I took the plunge and it really has been worth it.

return to Susan Pluse's profile