What do you get when you mix a very talented dancer, a smart business woman and children from diverse backgrounds? Divinity Dance Company, a school that is the vision and dream of entrepreneur Yvette Colbert. Yvette Colbert is a dancer that educates other dancers in her craft. She is also a very intelligent business woman who knows how to manage a company well.

Divinity Dance Company is a non-profit organization which seeks to provide artistic enrichment to children in low-income and culturally diverse neighborhoods. The school teaches several kinds of dance ranging from classical ballet to modern. In addition to the 100 students they service in their studio, they also teach dance and theater arts to over 200 students in the Houston Independent School District. They have a waiting list and each year they have to deny student participation to over 75 program applicants because of a lack of space.

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Divinity Dance is currently in their seventh year of operation. They are constantly reaching for higher heights through providing innovative programming and challenging students to perform on professional levels at young ages. This year Divinity Dance will be hosting its first annual golf tournament. For more information, visit the official Divots 4 Divinity Golf Tournament web site.

I interviewed Yvette Colbert and asked her the Liberate10™.

LM: What drives you?

YC: The fact that when I was growing up and studying dance, there were no other minority-owned dance studios, or minority theater arts role models in my immediate community besides my family’s. Dance and theater arts is my first love, and I won’t stop my journey until my dance studio evolves into the first African-American dance and theater arts studio and performance hall in Houston.

LM: What experiences influenced your decision to start a business?

YC: I was working full-time after graduation at a printing firm as a graphic associate, but I had continued teaching dance on the side. After awhile, my classes starting growing and I started receiving more requests to start dance programs in pre-schools and after-school programs. I really had to literally stop and pray about it, and I took a leap out on faith. I had always loved dance and children, I just didn’t think you could make an adequate living at it - and I did want to continue eating and paying my bills! I gave my two-week notice and set-up my schedule at a couple of schools, and took the plunge. I haven’t looked back since, and the company has grown to 55 studio dancers, 3 HISD contracts for their after-school programs, 3 child-care centers, 1 private school, and 1 church.

LM: What formal education and/or training do you have or had to get to start your business?

YC: My parents owned a dance studio for 11 years and I managed the programs and classes for the children and teens, so that was a great first experience in management for a studio. Formally I received by BS in Journalism with a minor in business from Texas A&M University, and then after graduation I attended the Art Institute of Houston for graphic design.

LM: How did you get started?

YC: After I had put my two weeks in at my job and lined up all my schools for dance programs, I started teaching all genres of dance in my programs to all ages, and the word spread from there. There are so many schools that desire dance and theater arts programs, but don’t know who to contact, so I just put my company out there, and directors who were pleased told other directors. I also cold-called schools I really wanted to teach in, and started programs there as well.

LM: How did you determine what product and or service to sell?

YC: N/A

LM: What lessons have you learned from your first years in business?

YC: $$$$$ MANAGEMENT!!!!!!!! I had to learn to pay myself 1st and save a percentage for the business. I kept putting everything back into the business, and wouldn’t take care of myself, which can catch up to you. You just get so wrapped up in getting everything you need for your business that everything else falls to the wayside.

LM: Who were the primary influences in your life as it relates to being an entrepreneur?

YC: Definitely my mother. She was the entrepreneur of the family and always showed me the possibilities were endless if you wanted something badly enough. She really did teach me about going after what I wanted, and never to get discouraged when you hit the rough stretches. And now my husband, an entrepreneur himself, has shown me new perspectives on pursuing my dream to the next level.

LM: What has been your biggest success?

YC: I’ve had many small victories and successes getting started, but the most exciting one so far is getting the contract with HISD to conduct the dance portion of the after-school programs for 3 of their schools. Also I was pretty excited when we finally received our 501(c)(3) non-profit status.

LM: What has been your biggest disappointment?

YC: Ohhhhhh! Lots of little disappointments here and there, but you can’t let that stop the party! I think the most shocking one was when we were scheduled to move into our own studio location, and due to numerous disappointing circumstances, we didn’t get to move in and we had to wind up sub-renting from another dance studio again.

LM: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?

YC: Don’t let the “famines” get you down. The rough patches last for a time only. Just buckle down and prepare for the moment you get out of the rut and move full steam ahead. Get creative. If you’re in a financial rut, reach deep down into your creative brain and figure it out!