Dear friends and clients of Dance with me Toronto!
February 10th is a very special day for me, Egor Belashov – founder and operator of Dance with me Toronto. Many of you know that after moving to Toronto 10 years ago I was quite successful with establishing myself as a dance instructor and a professional dancer, becoming in 2008 National Professional Ballroom Champion. Now I devote myself to my new venture – DwmTo 🙂
But do you really know what was before that, where I am and a lot of what I bring to Dance with me Toronto are coming from? Probably not. That is why I decided to share with you one success story.
I started teaching dance at the age of 15. But only by the time I was to turn 20 I started my own business. I was ignorant and brave, just because I had nothing and knew nothing 🙂 And February 10 1997 I was teaching my 1st class. I did not have experience, proper space or even equipment. My very basic advertising, but mostly mere enthusiasm and word of mouth did the job – within 6 months I had my 1st 100 students!
I called the business Dance Club “Favorit” (Russian for “A contestant or competitor regarded as most likely to win”). And today it is turning 18 years!!! Happy Birthday! (Note: After I moved to Canada my wonderful mother Irina Belashova was running “Favorit” for 9 years! Now it is operating under new management – but same logo, same familiar brand – www.facebook.com/favoritdance ).
Over the years it was getting only better – not easier, vice versa more challenging – but rewarding and exciting! 4 years since inception we had over 400 students, 12 part time instructors and receptionists, and by 2005 we had everything we could only wish for – 2 proper dance floors with mirror walls, change rooms, restrooms, reception, beautiful waiting area… all designed by us the way we wanted it.
By that time we were running our own annual regional Festival of modern dance, series of theme Latino Parties at local night clubs, own Dance Show that performed a lot… TV spots, interviews and articles became our routine… We offered up to 10 different genres of dance and programs – Ballroom, Salsa, Argentine tango, Flamenco, Belly dance, Irish tap dancing, Hip-hop, Dance fitness programs etc..
Have a look at the pictures I found, they were taken 18 to 10 years ago. And please, find 15 minutes to watch this amateur video clip a friend of mine put together just days before I was to move to Toronto. (please, scroll down!) Wonderful memories, moments I am very proud of, place where I was learning and growing together with the business – and now I am sharing it with you! Because after a long break I am excited again about something and that something is Dance with me Toronto! I hope it will be as successful as my first baby and love – “Favorit”! Happy Birthday again!
