Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Weitekamp.
Hi Rachel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
After dancing almost all of my life, in college I began teaching for a small dance studio in Eudora Kansas. I fell in love with teaching and sharing my love of dance with younger generations. Going into my senior year of college, the owner presented me with an offer to purchase the studio. After thinking long and hard about this opportunity I decided to go for it! A year later in 2015, I rebranded the studio to Sunflower State Dance and began making changes to go from a recreational studio with short 30 minute classes to a technique focused studio. However the one thing that stayed was always having family friendly values.
In 2021 after surviving all the trial and tribulations the pandemic brought I decided I wanted to take the risk of purchasing my own building. After months of searching I found the perfect spot in Lawrence, but still with close proximity to our clients in Eudora.
At the end of 2023 I founded Sunflower State Dance Alliance Inc, a 501(c)3 organization to make a bigger impact on my community through the art of dance. With this non-profit we are able to provide scholarships to low income families to be able to afford dance. We also partner with a local nonprofit preschool, that provides equitable access to early childhood education and wrap around services, by bringing our weekly mobile creative movement program directly to their students.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If there is one thing I have learned, is that business ownership is never a smooth road. The road never gets smoother, you just learn how to handle the bumps in the road a little better.
The pandemic was probably one of the biggest struggles. Shifting to teaching on Zoom, navigating the 6 feet apart rules, losing countless students, all of it was a nightmare in terms of business ownership.
Another huge struggle was 18 month long road construction after moving to Lawrence, that was more financially impactful than foreseen.
Regardless of all the struggles, resiliency is something you can’t be taught. You just have to have the will, the right amount of stubbornness, and tenacity to never fail and never quit.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
People should know that Sunflower State Dance is more than just a dance studio. We are a place where children can grow into artists through creativity, community, and connection. Our programs start as young as 18 months with our parent and tot class and continue all the way through adulthood. We are a non-competitive studio, so our focus is on creating art together and nurturing each dancer where they are at, rather than chasing trophies and competing against classmates. We value small class sizes where we can get to know our students and help them achieve their goals. We emphasis safety, artistry, and family friendly values. We strive to create an appropriate and supportive environment where everyone has the chance to bloom through dance.
The nonprofit I founded Sunflower State Dance Alliance, we believe the arts have the power to create a lasting positive impact on all youth. Our goal is to bridge the gap between those who can afford arts education and those who cannot, ensuring every child has the opportunity to dance. We accomplish this through scholarships and outreach.
I think my most proud moment this year was creating my own original ballet. Everything from finding the right music, casting, choreography, staging, and costuming was found or created by me. It was a show I always wanted to create and the final product was so fulfilling to see!
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love that our city always has something for everyone!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sunflowerstatedance.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sunflowerstatedance
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sunflowerstatedance
- Other: www.sunflowerstatedancealliance.org
Image Credits
B&K Photography
