Owner: Dennis Lyle 
Business: Imperial Ballroom & Academy 
Location: Fullerton, Ca 

Hometown: Michigan 
Years in Business: 25 years 

Out of the tens of thousands of dancers who graduate into the work place each year there are only a small group of dancers who realize their dreams and "hit the big time" by getting work in television and movies or regular video work.  This is the harsh reality of being a dancer. 

Looking ahead to the future as a dance student, you have choices to consider 

1. You can continue to pursue your dream of being a professional dancer. 
2. You can give up dance to work in the field that you chose as a minor. 
3. You can look at a closely related field that may offer you more opportunity to use the skills and talents you have developed. 

    Let's use Option #3 as an example: One of the fields that is currently employing many talented dancers is the one I have been in for many years, Ballroom Dancing. Now this isn't the stuff your Mom and Dad did. Ballroom Dancing of today is now called 

"Dance Sport" a highly developed athletic and artistic form of dance that provides a 
great potential for financial reward. 

    Before deciding which of the options above to pursue, there are key issues that need to be addressed. The student must decide if they are: a decision maker (leader) or a follower. In life, decision makers, a.k.a. entrepreneurs, are the people that make the choices that effect the direction of the entire group/organization/team/company. The role carries great responsibility and is compensated with great rewards; time, money, and the satisfaction of knowing that you have created something great. Isn't that what every dancer wants to be someday, to be the ultimate choreographer! 

    When the average person looks to their future, they usually see themselves in the role of "employee." How then do you go from J. O. B., to the role of the entrepreneur? My brother, who was my mentor in my field, (Ballroom Dance) shared with me the key that led to my early success and continued on to my current and future success.  "Always look closely at the company you work for. How would you view your position if you were the owner? How would you (as the owner) want this job or position fulfilled? " I used these ideas to find out how the guy at the top makes important decisions regarding day to day and long-term operations. By doing this, I put myself on a fast track to success when I became a business owner myself. Studying the success and failures of those ahead of me prepared me for making my own decisions later. 

    The art of studying success is one of the more important things to learn when on the path to being an entrepreneur. Have you ever noticed that successful people tend to associate with other successful people? They are not snobs, they just understand the benefits of being around positive, like-minded individuals. Would you take financial advice from bankrupt friends? Or travel advice from people who never leave their house? 

    As an entrepreneur myself, the idea of lending guidance to future entrepreneurs is a very exciting one for me. Let me summarize what you need to know: 

1. Don't give up on your dreams 
2. Think outside the box to create possible futures 
3. Success is 95% preparation and 5% luck 
4. Be the ultimate employee; think like an owner 
5. Start your own training program 
6. Associate with successful people in all fields. You will benefit from their experience and knowledge, as well as their positive attitudes. 

Good Luck 
Dennis Lyle 
President 
The Imperial Ballroom & Academy 

114. E. Commonwealth Ave
Fullerton, Ca
(714) 525-5155
www.ImperialAcademy.com
 
 

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