Today we’d like to introduce you to Shauna Boudreau (Russo).
Shauna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Started taking dance classes at the age of 3 and never stopped after that. Being at my dance school, or in a dance class was (and still is) my happy place. Danced all through my high school years, and when I went to College is when I got my first teaching position. I thought it would just be something I did to get me through College, but the more I taught, the more I fell in love with every aspect of the creative side of the dance world. I fell in love with all ages and levels that I taught. Graduated college in 1995, and decided to continue with my dance profession. In 1997, I got a random phone call from a woman, looking for a teacher (I sent her my resume 4 years before) During our conversation, she told me she was looking for someone to take over her studio because she wanted to retire in a couple of years. It was a pivotal moment in my life. I accepted the position, and the role of transitioning in to take over the studio. And from there it is history. I’ve been owning and operating the studio since 1999. I took over when the studio was in the basement of a church. A shared space with other people, so everything was portable. Stayed there for about 9 years, and then moved into my own space. Over the years I have had some amazing teachers that have worked for me, and equally amazing students that have danced for me. This year is by far the strongest, most positive year I have had. I am looking forward to growing the studio to the next level, and creating long lasting memories with our dance family.
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?
Never really a smooth road when owning a small business is there?, the studio always has had great people in it, and a great family atmosphere, but for the most part, it was more of a “part-time” business I was limited to space and time when shared the space at the church. All seemed to be okay, and manageable for the time being. I became a mother in 2002 and a single mother in 2008. So managing being a full time mother, all the added expenses, and business owner seemed to have its struggles. I’ve always wanted to be the type of mother who could pick her children up from school, help with homework, cook dinner etc. I didn’t want my son to go home to an empty house, or a babysitter every day. I made it a point to be that mother. To pick my son up every day, help with homework, etc… A dance teachers schedule certainly doesn’t call for dinner time every night in the comfort of home, but the studio was just as good as being home! Juggling the studio and being a single mother was a challenge for sure. But we seemed to manage through pretty well my son spent many nights in the dance studio while I taught (The kids loved him), so although the traditional dinner/bedtime wasn’t in the cards for us, we managed pretty nicely. There have been a few moments where I thought maybe it would be easier if I sold, or closed, and got a “normal” job. Each time I’ve had those thoughts, my heart would instantly break. This is who I am, and how could I possible give that up. Every struggle, every tear, every moment is absolutely worth it. There is no other place that makes me feel the way the dance studio does. My son now 15 and great, the studio has the most amazing staff… and the families that belong to our studio are so loving and caring. I couldn’t ask for a better place to call mine.
Contact Info:
- Address: 368 Lindelof Ave Stoughton MA
- Website: thedanceconnectionma.com
- Phone: 781-573-3637
- Email: thedanceconnectionma@gmail.com
- Instagram: @thedanceconnectionma
- Facebook: facebook.com/thedanceconnectionma
- Twitter: @DanceConnectMA
Image Credit:
The Photography Experience Heather Rizzo
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