Elena's journey into entrepreneurship

Elena, our MD, has been featured this month in Platinum Business Magazine about taking the plunge from turning MyCharleston into a hobby into a full time job and how the team have grown in in the past 12 month. Read the full interview about her life as an entrepreneur.

Tell us about your journey into entrepreneurship?

Elena with the magazine feature

Fiona and I started working together when we made a short dance film about Brighton. We wanted to showcase our city with people dancing the Charleston in front of iconic locations. After the release of the film it went viral and our dance classes became oversubscribed. From that moment we discovered a gap in the market: People wanted to learn the Charleston. Suddenly we started to get approached to teach, perform at events and make films.

MyCharleston started as a passion project which then grew into a lifestyle business.  Our biggest obstacle from there was changing our mindset. it was hard to think we could take the business a step further. When we were accepted onto the NatWest Accelerator our mentors helped us unravel this block. They challenged our assumptions and pushed us to see we had a business model that could grow. We learnt from shifting our mindset that we could change the company from a hobby into our careers.

In 5 years time what impact will your business have on the world?

MyCharleston provides a service that enriches people, improves health and fosters community. Our experiences make people happier through dance and over the next five years we will continue to grow and create more positive impacts on people’s lives.

What’s your #1 tip for fellow entrepreneurs?

Fiona and I built the company together and working as a partnership has both its challenges and rewards.  My tip if you work with someone is to recognise your partnership as an asset. We have taken time to refine how we work, communicate and nurture our relationship which has been key to growing a healthy and happy business.

How has the NatWest Accelerator programme helped to accelerate you and your business?

Full MyCharleston feature

In August 2017, we were accepted o to the NatWest Accelerator programme where we began a growth plan. It included: Expanding our classes, our events programme and merchandise. In six months we have grown our weekly courses from three to eleven, launched in five new cities and trained four teachers. Our monthly turnover has tripled allowing us to quit our jobs and focus on MyCharleston full time

What are you most excited about right now? 

We are really excited about our expansion. Our ambition for 2019 is to train ten new teachers and to develop into a franchise. We are also really looking forward to the summer season too as we are going to be teaching and performing at many vintage events across Sussex as well as our own 1920s Afternoon Tea events at the Hilton Brighton Metropole in November. 

If you would like to ask Elena a question about MyCharleston or the Natwest Accelerator please contact us here

Ever wanted to be part of a dance troupe? Now is your chance!

Audition - 6.30-8pm, 13 July - Open Space Studios, Hove

Want to join MyCharleston’s new performance troupe? We have an exciting opportunity for dancers to join our brand new all female dance troupe. We are looking for confident dancers with a background in any of the following: Charleston, Swing, Lindyhop, Solo Jazz, Modern/Contemporary Jazz, Street and Ballet. Above all as a dancer you must love performing, be enthusiastic, supportive within the team and passionate about dance!

What's our goal?

Our vision is to create a large troupe of dancers to perform ensemble pieces. Our objective is for the new group to compete in Charleston dance contests locally, nationally and eventually internationally! 

As part of the new troupe, you may occasionally be invited to to perform with our existing dance troupe, Savoy Kicks, who perform at a range of events from corporate entertainment, festivals and private parties. These opportunities will depend on availability and the number of dancers needed for each particular booking.

The troupe is led by Elena and Fiona along with our Worthing teacher and dance captain Rachel.

Joining the troupe is a passion project which will be fueled by a desire to perform and be part of a large ensemble piece where you can meet like minded people and make new friends.

We are an amateur dance collective, with professional outlook!

What's involved?

You need to commit to rehearsals and practice routines in your own time. This often involves learning choreography from videos.

To be available for performances (which you will be able to commit to on a project-by-project basis)

To contribute towards troupe costs by paying a monthly membership fee of £20 per month.

We expect you to be dancing outside of your rehearsal time. It is a requirement that you attend at least one class per week (this does not have to be with MyCharleston but should be a related genre of dance).

To be a positive and supportive team member, and actively help make the troupe experience a happy one. We are an inclusive and fun group!

When do we rehearse?

Every Thursday after our intermediate class the troupe rehearses for 30mins from 7-730pm for run throughs of already taught content. This is often used for gig preparation so you may not always need to attend but should be available and we encourage attendance to practice content.

One Thursday in between courses (approx every 7 weeks) we will rehearse between 6-8pm, where we will refine newly learnt content and get competition ready.

We will also run Sunday morning workshops - once a quarter throughout the year. approx 3-4 hours

What do you need?

We will provide costumes when possible. If you have to buy a costume you can sell it back to MyCharleston if you leave the troupe.

Dancers will need some basic items of their own: Katz glitter greek sandals, matt dance tights, beige character shoes. a pair of white, red and black ‘safety shorts’, a skin tone bra and a strapless bra.

What are the perks?

You will get to regularly perform and be part of our of fun dance troupe where you will working as a team with the goal of competing at some of the best events on the Charleston/Solo Jazz scene. You will have the chance to perform at MyCharleston events, local shows and take part in photoshoots. 

Sounds like your kind of thing? Register here!

Audition - 6.30-8pm, 13 July - Open Space Studios, Hove

Want to know more? Here are some examples of things we have previously done

Strictly Charleston raises over £750 for Mind Charity

Strictly Charleston dance contest raises over £750 at the opening weekend at Brighton Fringe.

Brighton Fringe kicked started last weekend with plenty of flicks and tricks at the Brighton Spiegeltent where local dance company MyCharleston held a ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ style competition in aid of Mind, the mental health charity. In the run up to the event, MyCharleston trained three members of staff from Hilton Brighton Metropole – Maria Di Leo, Sara Merriman and Inmaculada Guerra Sanchez – for a month with a professional dancer partner. Each couple took to the floor on the 5th May to win votes from the audience of 200 people, raising over £750 for their chosen charity. The hotel’s Front Office Supervisor Maria di Leo won with dance partner Rachel Hulme.

Event organiser Elena Collins said ‘This is the third year we have hosted our charity Charleston competition at the Fringe and each year it gets better and better. We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the audience’.

The afternoon also included dance workshops, performances, a best dressed competition hosted by Open Space Studios and a public dance-off where one lucky attendee won a £150 gift voucher for vintage boutique Pretty Eccentric in the North Laines.

In case you missed it, here are the three routine:

Elena and Sara: Magnificent Men and their Flying Machines 

Rowena and Inma: Let's Misbehave

Rachel and Sol: You Rascal You

Strictly Misbehaving

Picture the scene: you’re at work; you step out from behind your desk, put on some leggings and make your way through the hallowed halls of the Hilton to an empty function room.

Inma and Rowena in rehearsals with Fiona.

There, you’re met by a moonlighting flapper girl in 21st century lycra and a bluetooth speaker to boot. Not your average morning at work.

That flapper girl is me, Rowena from Savoy Kicks, and that stupendous individual in the leggings is Inma - a most excellent employee of the Hilton Brighton Metropole. And that scene really happened a few weeks ago.

We got together for our first Strictly Charleston rehearsal after Inma had volunteered to take part in MyCharleston’s charity ‘Strictly Charleston’ competition at the MyCharleston Speakeasy in Brighton Fringe. On that first day, we spent two hours jumping around an enormous function room, trying out the signature Charleston swivel on the corporate carpets (tricky!), and belly laughing our way through all the basic moves. Phew!

Inma was full of enthusiasm that day, and as I write, after three two-hour rehearsals together, her enthusiasm for Charleston has only grown. She is (or should I say ‘was’!) a total beginner dance-wise, so I’ve been bowled over my how well she’s taken to the Charleston and how quickly she’s picked up the steps.

Rowena and Inma at the Hilton

The routine we’ve been working on is all about your classic cheeky flappers. I chose the song ‘Let’s Misbehave’ from Anything Goes to fit the ‘musicals’ theme for the competition, and decided to spin it from the romantic narrative in the show to a fun girl power narrative, where two flapper friends get together to dance, have fun, and yes, you’ve guessed it, misbehave!

After hours of choreography and rehearsals, we now have a full routine which just needs some ‘drilling and polishing’ (as they say in the biz), before the big day. The excitement is building!

I’m so proud of Inma for jumping far outside her comfort zone, getting stuck in, and challenging herself to learn something new, all for a good cause. She’s a superstar and, regardless of the outcome of the competition, she’s the winner in my eyes.

Keep an eye on the Savoy Kicks and MyCharleston Instagram accounts to get live updates from the rehearsals as we countdown to the Speakeasy - we hope to see you there!

BOOK TICKETS HERE

Competition: Win £150 Voucher for vintage boutique Pretty Eccentric

This Spring we have teamed up with the vintage boutique Pretty Eccentric for the MyCharleston Speakeasy, part of the Brighton Fringe and this year there is the chance to win £150 for the shop!

Pretty Eccentric Dresses and headpieces 

Now in its third year, the MyCharleston Speakeasy will have you dancing the iconic steps of the 1920s. With a twist of Jazz and a dash of Electro Swing, this is a modern take on a classic Speakeasy. Be enthralled by live music, workshops, competitions and mesmerising performances! As soon as you enter, the band will get you in the swing of things.

A highlight of the event is the annual Charleston Dance-off which Pretty Eccentric will be sponsoring. Anyone can enter, all you need to do is take to the floor and dance. If you make it through to the second round you will be given a golden ticket and perform a dance-off against the other competitors. Pretty Eccentric’s very own designer & Owner, Michelle will be picking her winner and the prize is a £150 voucher to spend in store or online. 

Winner 2017

Pretty Eccentric are also giving you the chance to WIN tickets to the Speakeasy event, click here to enter

Once you have got the moves, the next big thing is what to wear? Here a quick check list for what you need for the flapper look.

A flapper girl needs:  A dropped waist dress with plenty of sparkle  Plenty of pearls, Elbow length gloves, Headpiece with a feature and of course her dancing shoes.

You can pick up everything you need at www.prettyeccentric.com  and get 10% off when you use discount code DANCE10. 

Pick up your fringe tickets here

Giving back to the community

Dance in Brighton is about to boom, with a dedicated dance space being created in what used to be the Old Market, Circus Street. With cranes already dominating the skyline, South East Dance are working hard to engage people from the local Tarner community through The Welcome Project, their 3 year programme of dance activity in the lead up to the opening of The Dance Space.

Tarner is a little known and historically under-privileged area tucked between the Amex building, Planet India and the Setting Sun pub. So MyCharleston boldly went where no Charleston teachers have gone to before: The Brighton unemployed families project to surprise them with a pop-up Charleston dance class.

We had no idea how well our gorilla tactics would go down, especially as it was straight after lunch! But as people began to finish eating, we introduced ourselves and to our delight everyone stood up when requested. The group seemed genuinely happy to give Charleston a go and you can’t ask for more than that.

I don’t know if it’s down to the music or the dance but there is something about Charleston that always seems to put a smile on people’s faces. We had entered the building feeling very nervous and left with that life affirming feeling, everyone had been welcoming and enthusiastic. As to there dancing abilities, we were super impressed! not only did they master the Charleston, they even learnt a short routine, which they danced with energy and style.

Charleston is such a happy dance and it’s easy for beginners to pick-up. Over the years students have told us how dance has helped them with anxiety, confidence and social interaction. I know I am evangelical about the power of dance but I really believe this project by South East dance will bring a real gift to the Tarner community.

How to Have the Perfect First Dance

When I was a little girl, I had images of myself and my husband doing a beautiful waltz as our first dance for our wedding.  Unfortunately, as the date of our wedding started to get closer I was reminded that my husband-to-be had two left feet and had never danced in his life. My aspirations of a vienze waltz worthy of the strictly final flew out the window.

However, Michael knew how important dance was to me and suggested that we did a surprise Charleston dance as our first dance as our guests would never suspect it. I was already taking on  huge craft project by making all the decorations and stationary for the wedding, I was not sure that I also had time to teach him to dance. 

To help Mike get the basic moves mastered, I put him in the trusty hands of Elena and Fiona and he attended the beginners Charleston course with MyCharleston. He quickly realised why I love the Charleston so much and I was impressed with how quickly he picked up the moves.

I caught him practising his Charleston everywhere, while doing the washing up, in the garden, brushing his teeth, you name it he was charlestoning. Not only did he perfect the basic Charleston, he was also doing the 1930s Charleston too! 

We practised in our living room, which at the time was filled with craft projects for the wedding, so we didn’t have much space. When it was sunny, we pracised in the garden, and our neighbours must have thought we were crazy.  Rehearsing together was so much fun, and was easily one of my favourite parts of wedding planning. We laughed so much and it was a great way to de-stress from all the difficult parts of wedding planning.

As the wedding drew closer, Mike started to get a bit nervous but I knew he was going to be great. The only people that knew about the first dance were the girls from Savoy Kicks, MyCharleston's dance troupe and I was so pleased that we had managed to keep it secret. 

Our first dance was one of our favourite parts of the wedding. The Charleston is the a perfect dance for us as it is silly and fun, and we just had such a great time performing it. Our guests were so surprised and they were all cheering and clapping the whole way through. As soon as we started Charlestoning, I could hear my sister scream, it was lovely to see our guests so happy.  When we did the lift in the middle of the routine, our friends and family all went wild.

We did our Charleston dance to ‘Yes sir that’s my baby’ by Firehouse Five plus two as this was the music that Mike first saw me perform with Savoy Kicks. Before the Charleston, we danced to a cover of The Book of Love by Airborne Toxic Event. Mike introduced me to the band when we first got together, and this song means so much to us.

After our first dance, my friends who run the company MyCharleston got all our guests on the dance floor and taught them how to Charleston. It was incredible to see all the people we love all doing the Charleston together. It was a great way to kick off our evening celebrations. No one could use the excuse that they could not dance to avoid joining in, as if Mike could do it. Anyone could do it.

New for April: Vintage Musicals Course

Ever wanted to dance like a vintage movie star? Well now is your chance as MyCharleston takes on its first ever vintage musical course.

Each term we will be learning an iconic Charleston routine from some of the best vintage musicals from the Golden Age of Cinema and first up is the ' All I Do is Dream of You' from all time classic Singin' in the Rain.

Within the course we will be learing iconic moves from the routine and week by week putting it together to learn this iconic Charleston routine. Music will also be insipred from the film.

Our first routine starts on 17 April at 7pm at Open Space Studios and will be a mixes ability group. 

The Great Gatsby Fair takes on Bexhill this Summer

After much upset that the Bexhill Roaring 20s festival will not be running this year, Sharon Blagrove, Event Director of Bentley Fairs, has salvaged the beloved 1920s event by putting a new vintage weekender with a twist for 2018.

'My first thought was how everyone in the town, and those that look forward to it and visit from far and wide would miss this huge event. I decided to step up and put my own event on which ironically was being planned for another seaside location,  but with the title The Great Gatsby Fair it seemed destined for Bexhill after all, and just at the right time' 

The event is held along Bexhill seafront from the Metropole Lawns to East Parade and this years’ event will be over the whole weekend. A big celebration of the 1920's era, of people in period vintage costumes and all the song and dance acts that go with it.

There's something for everyone, with children's entertainment from 10-1 both days and nonstop music on the seafront with Morris dancers, Ukulele players, Dance school productions, Singers, jazz bands, Dixieland bands 40's singers, Dance troupes, competitions for fancy dress and Charleston dances. The Highland piper will play outside the Bexhill Sailing Club at 1.15 signalling the start of the procession towardsThe Metropole Lawns at the De la Warr Pavilion where there are ticketed afternoon parties from 2pm both days. 

Saturday 2pm-5.30pm is The Charleston Party.  Savoy Kicks will lead the way with a Charleston lesson on stage followed by a competition to find the best Charleston dancers who will win cash prizes. The Roaring 20's Orchestra will play and there are fancy dress competitions Bonnie and Clyde (with under 16'sentries too) The Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Gent.

Saturday evening entertainment in the large marquee with Swing and Blues bands a bar and food from 7 pm -10.30 pm Sunday Its Peaky Blinders Retro Party with fancy dress and cash prizes for the best Guys and Dolls(with under 16s entries too) and Best Dressed lady and Gent.40's singer Pete Wayre and dancing from 2-5.30. to The Hastings Stompers Jazz group & The Swing Street Orchestra Pop Up Vintage London will curate a fabulous Vintage Fair, and Food and Drink will be brought in courtesy of Food Feast South East.

It is advisable to get your tickets early for the parties. Only Adults need tickets Under 16s go in free. Go to www.thegreatgatsbyfair.co.uk

Chai and Charleston - 1920s Afternoon Tea

Last Saturday, we grabbed our pearls and dusted down your flapper gowns as we headed off to The Hilton Brighton Metropole and stepped back in time to relive the glamour of the Roaring Twenties. On 24 February, we hosted our first decadent Saturday afternoon consisting of delicious afternoon tea, Charleston lessons, feisty flappers and a live jazz band.

This afternoon tea with a 1920s twist came with plenty of tea, cake and dancing. Live music  was from the Soultastics, and Charleston entertainment had our guests swivelling across the dance floor in no time.

Due to the success of the Afternoon Tea we will now we hosting them regularly and have four more in the diary which will be taking place in June, September and a Christmas special so keep an eye of the website for the official date announcements.