In this week’s episode, I interview Jessica King of Aerial Dragons Studios in Ybor City, Florida. We talk about how she and Kaley built their business, finding the perfect space, working together, and creating breathtaking shows.
Jessica is a 3rd generation Circus Performer while Kaley has a background in yoga. The two met at a dance club and have been friends ever since. They have lived together, built businesses together, and now… They are pregnant together! So adorable! Unfortunately, Kaley was not able to make the interview but her spirit certainly was.
Creating Aerial Dragons
- Jessica King & Kaley Eckersdorff open Aerial Dragons together in 2016
- Jessica was teaching upwards of 20 people in her backyard when she knew it was time to find a space
- Kaley & Jessica decided they would save all of their earnings from performances to put towards opening a space
- They would spend the next two years saving, looking for spaces, and building before opening their current space
- Today, they share their space with Cigar City Crossfit, which they find to be a beautiful fitness marriage
Balancing the Partnership
- We talk about the benefits of partnerships – having a souding board, creating new ideas, balancing the workload
- And then we talk about some of the struggles – At first, there was a lot of overlap in the business with things that both Jessica & Kaley would be working on
- Last year, Kaley got married and would need to move to Ft Lauderdale to be with her husband – This meant splitting up the responsibilities in the business
- Jessica said that it took them time to develop an understanding that both were capable of handling the additional responsibilties
- Trust is key!
Creative Shows & Acts
- Aerial Dragons create a couple of opportunities each year for students to perform
- They have a winter showcase (which is coming up V soon) and a bigger production that is a choreographed show – HYPNOTICA – Theater of the Bizarre
- They also offer a variety of different act for hire – everything from Aerial Artists to Champagne Skirts to Mermaids and Aerial Bartenders
Jessica’s Favorite Performance of herself – The Teacher’s Routine where they were all clowns on roller skates – No video (sorry all!)
Jessica’s favorite performance of someone else – Absinthe and Le Rêve
To Connect with Aerial Dragons Studios:
Instagram | Facebook | Website| Aerial Dragons Entertainment
To help out the show:
Leave us a review on Apple Podcast. Your ratings and reviews really help others find us easily!
Subscribe on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Want to hear more? Check out Episode #7 with Jax Spencer and Episode #8 with Candra Cain!