Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Purtell.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in Quincy with my five siblings and began dancing at the age of two. The dance studio was my escape and a place I always felt safe and happy and to be honest owning my own studio was my childhood dream. I began dancing competitively at the age of eight and studied various styles and won many awards. At North Quincy high school I was a member of the Renaissance Arts program where I was a dance major and a member of the dance team.
After high school, I decided to start a family and I had my two sons Aidyn and James. A few years later with support from my family, I was encouraged to open a studio. In doing so I knew that I wanted my studio to be one big family, where everyone felt encouraged and supported.
Now my brother Chris is my office manager and runs many aspects of the day to day operation, my sister Brittany is one of our instructors and my sisters Robin and Kendal and my father and stepmother work every year backstage at the recital to help the show go smoothly, I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
Great, 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?
Being a single mother of children with disabilities is challenging. There are a lot of appointments that I need to be available for, whether it be medical appointments or school meetings, managing my time as a parent and business owner can prove challenging.
In May of this year, our studio lease was terminated a year and a half into our three-year lease. The owner of the property decided to lease the building to a major retailer instead. I was left with 30 days to scramble and find a new location. There was nothing available so I reached out to former clients who had rented space from me in the past and was able to secure temporary places for my students to rehearse this past summer. Finally a space in our area and close to our budget became available and we moved in this past August.
Open Space Studio – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Open Space Studio is primarily a dance studio, specializing in affordable dance instruction. We believe that all students should have the right to dance regardless of finances and have continuously scholarshiped over 15% of our students.
My staff Amy Boucher, Patricia Loring and Brittany Purtell are all exceptional role models and teachers. We pride ourselves on age appropriate costuming and music selection which can be hard to find at other studios. Our students are confident, creative and build friendships that will last their lifetime.
We are an all-inclusive dance studio, we have had students with Autism, Down Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis and hearing impairments. Nicole has been the movement specialist at a local summer camp for children with disabilities, as well as the Town of Plymouth recreation dance instructor for the past seven years. Brittany is currently obtaining her masters in social work and running a therapeutic dance class in the community. Patricia Loring has taught adaptive dance, a collaboration of Boston Ballet and Children’s hospital physical therapy department, offering classes for children with Down Syndrome.
When the studio is not being used for dance classes, we allow other artists, whether it be music, karate, yoga, photography etc to hold classes. That is how I came up with the name Open Space Studio, I wanted to bring my community together, and we are always thinking of ways to give back. In September we took clothing donations for the dance studios in Texas affected by the hurricane and we are currently taking food donations to our local veterans outreach center.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career is watching my students grow in technique, confidence and as people. Our oldest dancers are great role models and love to spend time with the younger dancers and it’s a great feeling knowing we are doing something right!
Pricing:
- $50 per month for recreational classes
Contact Info:
- Address: 19R Court St
Plymouth, MA 02360 - Website: www.openspaceplymouth.com
- Email: contact@openspaceplymouth.com
- Instagram: openspacestudioplymouth
- Facebook: Open Space Studio, INC
Image Credit:
George Loring, Amanda Rebelo, Nina Garcia
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