7/25-7/28 Community Companions

I really enjoyed this week- going to meet the managers of the community establishments that are interested in being our Community Companions. A community companion is a company in Matthews that agrees to post our FFDS advertisements and in return we post theirs. Also, we offer a our services at a discount for them, and hope that they will do the same for us if we need. I was able to establish a relationship with several places in our own shopping center, such as Monkey joes and Cici's Pizza.

7/18-7/21 Misc.

This week was very busy for me and the studio. I helped on several different projects and learned several new things. My favorite experience would be talking to Lebos and placing orders for the new fall season. Lebos is a company in Matthews that supplies shoes and costumes for our studio. I was able to be in contact most of the week with their staff, in order to ensure we began the season with enough supplies. Also, I went with the director to Sams Club to purchase the studio supplies, like toilet paper and bottled waters, and then returned and created an excel list so that each month someone could get the supplies needed and wouldn't buy more of something that was not needed. I also maintained contact with everyone who called seeking information about classes and took payments as people stopped by to register or attend summer technique classes.

7/11-7/14 Teach Marketing

I would generally argue that marketing is not always something you can teach in a short meeting, however, with the FFDS family- you can. I met with the director and administrative director to discuss how I had been succesful with marketing for other company events in my past. Then, I taught them some of my skills and the admin director and I set out to market to the community. Our number one goal was to connect with our community and set up community companions. However, we also wanted to make a mental note of who might potentially assist us with our Open House event in August. Amy, the admin director, complimented me on my marketing skills and picked up the trade very quickly! It was great to have her along to answer the picky studio questions like, "What time do your three year olds have ballet class" and I was there to suggest things like, "We can advertise your company on our community companion wall in the studio to over 300 students and their families". To help us market, I created fliers that we handed out and posted where allowed. [The fliers are too large to be added to this post, please contact our studio if you wish to receive more information].

7/5-7/7 Learning the Language

My goal this week was to learn the FFDS language. Basically, I wanted to see what actually happens in each dance class and pick up on some of the dance terminology. Why? I am going to be in contact with a lot of new and returning parents when the fall seaons begins. To do so adequately, I need to be able to speak their language and really understand their concerns in order to eliminate conflict and confusion, etc. This week I set in on several technique classes and even learned a few dance steps. I asked about the clothing and shoes, to learn more about why they wear certains things and what the things are called. Also, I met more of the students and tried to learn their names and something about them. I feel it is important to have a relationship with the students because the studio strives to offer an education through dance, and I am now one of their educators. A relationship offers me a chance to remind these children that they are appreciated and a chance to learn from them. [I took several photos during the week, but I wish not to share them because I do not have permission to do so from everyone in the photographs].