Today we’d like to introduce you to Zsuzsanna Szantosi.
Hi Zsuzsanna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in Hungary and have always been drawn to creativity, people, and community. Dance became a big part of my life at a young age, and what started as a personal passion eventually became a way to connect with others.
When I moved to the United States, I had to rebuild many things from the ground up. Along the way, I discovered that what I loved most wasn’t just performing or creating art, it was bringing people together. Through dance events, art exhibitions, performances, and community gatherings, I saw how powerful shared experiences can be.
My journey into event production grew naturally from my love for dance, visual art, and creating spaces where people feel connected. I started producing events because I wanted to give artists, performers, and local businesses opportunities to be seen while creating memorable experiences for the community.
Today, I lead VIVIDIANCE, where I produce cultural events and creative experiences that bring together art, performance, business, and community. I also founded The Creative Bridge Foundation Inc. – a nonprofit organization to help support artists and creative initiatives. No matter the project, the goal remains the same: creating meaningful connections and celebrating human creativity.
What I’m most proud of is that everything has been built through passion, persistence, and a genuine belief that communities become stronger when people come together in person to share ideas, experiences, and inspiration.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that none of us build anything meaningful alone. Some of my biggest blessings have been the friends, mentors, partners, artists, and supporters who believed in me and in the vision, often before there was any guarantee it would succeed. Their encouragement, advice, generosity, and willingness to show up have carried me through some difficult moments. Every event, every project, and every milestone is really the result of many people choosing to be part of the journey, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve worn almost every hat imaginable. I’ve often been responsible for everything myself, from event production and marketing to sponsorships, partnerships, content creation, logistics, and finances. Building something from the ground up without a large team or significant funding has required a lot of persistence and creativity.
There were moments when attendance was uncertain, sponsorships were difficult to secure, or plans didn’t go as expected. As a single mother, balancing family responsibilities while pursuing ambitious goals added another layer of challenge. There were times when I questioned whether I could keep moving forward.
At the same time, those challenges taught me some of my most valuable lessons. They forced me to become resourceful, adaptable, and resilient. Every obstacle helped me better understand what people truly value and why creating meaningful experiences matters.
What kept me going was the support of friends, collaborators, artists, community members, and partners who believed in the vision. Their encouragement reminded me that building community is never a solo effort.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change the difficult parts of the journey. They shaped who I am as a leader and reinforced my belief that meaningful things are worth working for.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
VIVIDIANCE is a creative direction and event production company built around one simple belief: meaningful human connection still matters.
We specialize in creating experiences that bring people together through arts, culture, storytelling, and community. Our work includes producing live events, developing creative concepts, building partnerships and sponsorships, supporting marketing initiatives, and helping organizations create experiences that people genuinely remember.
What sets VIVIDIANCE apart is that we don’t see events as transactions or entertainment alone. We see them as opportunities to create connection. Whether it’s a cultural celebration, a performing arts showcase, a community gathering, or a collaborative project, our focus is always on the experience people have and the relationships that are formed as a result.
One of our signature productions is the Sarasota Art & Dance Night, an annual event that brings together performing arts, visual artists, local businesses, and community members in a single evening. Through projects like this, we aim to celebrate creativity while creating opportunities for artists, entrepreneurs, and organizations to connect and grow.
What I’m most proud of is that VIVIDIANCE has evolved organically from a genuine passion for bringing people together. The brand reflects my own journey through dance, visual arts, entrepreneurship, and community building. Rather than focusing on a single industry, VIVIDIANCE serves as a bridge between creative disciplines, businesses, and people who share a desire to create something meaningful.
As our world becomes increasingly digital, I believe there is tremendous value in creating spaces where people can connect face-to-face, share ideas, experience art, and build relationships. That mission is at the heart of everything we do and will continue to guide the future of VIVIDIANCE.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was actually quite shy and observant. I was the person who would watch, listen, and take everything in before speaking. I’ve always had strong self-discipline and self-control, which helped me stay focused on my goals from an early age.
One of the biggest influences in my life was competitive Latin ballroom dancing. I started dancing young and spent many years training and competing. Dance became much more than a hobby, it was my form of meditation, self-expression, and personal growth. It taught me discipline, teamwork, resilience, and an appreciation for beauty, artistry, and human connection.
As I moved into my late teenage years, I became increasingly interested in connecting with people and understanding different perspectives. At 18, I began working in graphic design, which allowed me to combine creativity with problem-solving and introduced me to the world of business and visual communication.
At the same time, I was attending college, working multiple jobs, and learning how to balance many responsibilities at once. I earned a teaching degree focused on children ages three to six, and that education had a profound impact on me. Beyond learning about child development, I gained a deeper understanding of pedagogy, psychology, communication, and human behavior. It helped shape my naturally caring personality and gave me tools that have benefited me throughout my personal and professional life.
In early adulthood, I took my first entrepreneurial steps and started my own sole proprietorship. Looking back, those years of studying, working, dancing, and building something of my own taught me how to manage multiple projects, adapt to challenges, and keep moving forward even when life was demanding.
Many of the qualities that define me today, creativity, independence, perseverance, empathy, and a desire to bring people together, were already present back then. The shy observer eventually became someone who enjoys creating experiences, communities, and opportunities that help others connect and thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vividiance.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanszantosi?igsh=MW9ubGJwcWZwMHp5bw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EVufKkkhg/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zsuzsanna-szantosi-446008152?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@vividiance-sarasota?si=SsyEQhhuJ7ait54G
- Other: https://www.sarasotaartanddance.com
