We’re looking forward to introducing you to Cathy Nelson. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Cathy, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Most days start around 9:30am with a delicious flavored Nespresso, a morning PQ meditation (Positive Intelligence), a review of emails, current events & social shares while I let my 15 year old Chihuahua Nina in and out. I hop in the shower and dress for the days activities which include a 11 am networking meeting or a 1:1 meeting where I learn more about how to support my local community better, find solutions & ways to move towards them, and usually grab lunch – often my meal for the day. I head back home to pick up my dog who sleeps under my desk at work most days and drive to my business. These days I’m taking a longer scenic route to avoid construction and add peace.
The real work begins at 1pm where I’m turning 2 left feet into 10 twinkle toes. Sounds glamorous, but I’m answering calls, offering smiles, listening to music to add to our library, sending text reminders, teaching dance lessons, cleaning, watering the plants, doing the accounting, avoiding pitfalls, taking photos, sending out gift certificates, selling Swarovski jewelry, making fliers, giving hugs, updating students paperwork, giving applause, selling dance shoes, teaching group class, demonstrating dance moves for the lessons my business partner is teaching, responding to emails, selling dance attire, paying bills, planning & marketing the advance calendar events, finding what works and doing more of it, making videos for students, listening & learning more about peoples personal challenges on and off the dancefloor, celebrating the daily wins, reviewing how I can make things even better for others tomorrow. My days are so full my word of the year is LESS, I’m looking to simplify while creating the right conditions for the seed to sprout.
At 8:45 or 9:30pm the studio closes. Time to wipe down the surfaces and hand held devices, sweep the floor, empty the trash, shut the fans and the lights, lock the valuables and the door and head home where everyone is already asleep. I’ll do some reading before my eyes are tired, watch a bit of TV, review my calendar for the next day, envision the ideal day and plan to drink more water the next day!
Since so much of my day is spent on work related activities, it’s very important to my to develop a culture of welcoming kindness, enjoying learning about my clients, staying curious, dreaming of my next vacation where I can give myself the gift of new experiences, enjoying my business partners humor and antics,
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I live in Pinellas County and work in Palm Harbor, Florida where for the last 14 years I’ve been turning 2 left feet into 10 twinkle toes as co-owner at Dance Forever with 130 Google reviews to trust. I’m also the Chapter leader for the Oldsmar Power Gals Networking For Professional Women in Business and I have a small boutique at the studio affectionately called Cathy’s Closet where we have attire and Swarovski Cyrstal Jewelry by Touchstone Crystal.
I’ve been married for 27 years, current dog mom to Nina the Chihuahua. Working afternoons, evenings and events on weekends makes it difficult for me to get to many outside events, but I do love to connect with people!
My power partners in business are other connectors, including:
Beauty Industry Pros (we help your clients look good)
Divorce Attorneys (clients are ready to act on dreams)
Therapists (safe social space, kind, welcoming, encouraging)
Realtors (Welcoming new faces to our area)
Health & Fitness Pros (dance is a full body workout that is also good for your mind and your spirit!)
I’ve found some of these people to be my ideal clients:
Adults looking to get active, build confidence, and have fun in the areas surrounding Palm Harbor, Florida.
Invest in affordable, quality education
Individuals and couples looking for social connection or personal growth.
Break out of their comfort zones, have fun, and improve their self-esteem.
People who seek a supportive and welcoming community to feel like they belong.
Feeling self-conscious or nervous about starting something new, especially in a group setting? I help with that.
Fear of not being good enough or not “having rhythm.”…
Struggling with stress or lack of confidence, and wanting a positive, uplifting experience?
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I would have to say it’s communication. Words have the power to divide or unite, to inspire for better or worse, to confuse or to clarify. Many of the books I choose to read are about improving myself to better interact with others and avoid misunderstandings which can be costly and lingering.
What restores them is humility and accountability. The willingness to admit a wrongdoing, to act to make things better, to apologize and endeavor not to make the same error.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me not to stay there, to continue to move forward with grace. We do not have to let it define us, we can use it to transform.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Being charitable. I don’t mean this in the sense of making only financial donations. I’m striving to give others thee benefit of the doubt and a good reputation to live up to. I try to indulge others who need my time or attention. I try to be generous with people who are down. Our world does not need more coercion, abuse, intimidation.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danceforeverflorida.com
- Instagram: @danceforeversocialdancestudio
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/dance-forever
- Twitter: @Dance_ForeverFL
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanceForeverFL
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dance-forever-palm-harbor-2
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/DanceForeverFL
Image Credits
Anna Faiola, Denise Allen, Sean Neumayer
