In this week’s episode, I interview Brandi of BrandiLand Pole Dance. We talk building BrandiLand, interior design, the added benefits of Pole classes, and being scrappy.
Brandi has been dancing for over 9 years and opened her first studio in 2013 in South Tampa. In 2018, she opened her second space that also houses a beautiful boutique.
The Main Points
The Journey Begins
- Brandi found the aerial community while working in a Lingerie shop in Downtown St. Pete
- She went to an open house at Impulse Pole Dance and fell in love
- About a year into her journey, Brandi started teaching and her love for this community deepened
- In 2013, Brandi heard about an opportunity to purchase Rock N Body, a pole studio in South Tampa
- Brandi jumped at the opportunity and slowly transformed the space into her own
Design Tips from Brandi
- Know it’s a work in progress – it will take time
- Break up your studio into small pieces – work on one small area at a time
- Play with lighting – experiment with different temperature of bulbs
Onward & Upward
- Brandi started a pole camp for two reasons
1) At the time, the South Tampa studio had 10 feet drop ceilings that were hiding an extra 6 feet of space – Brandi wanted to change this, but it would be very expensive
2) Around the same time, she was looking for a weekend retreat to offer to her students… and herself. - She named the first pole camp, “Onward & Upward”
- Brandi wanted to literally move upward by taking out her ceilings – but she also wanted a way to instigate upward mobility in her students.
- She used the profits from that pole camp to pay for the removal of the drop ceilings
- Brandi continues to hold camps and always uses the profits to improve her studio
Creating a Second Home
- Brandi wanted to expand her South Tampa studio because she had maxed out her current space – She spoke to her landlord who referred her to a space that was absolutely perfect – Unfortunately, she was given the wrong address
- Brandi mentions not taking “no” for an answer – She let her landlord know that if the space ever became available to get in touch with her – Which he did!
- She then let her students in South Tampa know that she would be moving to Citrus Park and her student were not okay with this – they did not want the change
- So! She decided to have both! The Citrus Park space allows her to have a boutique and she is still able to operate the South Tampa studio – with help from her team, of course
- The biggest challenge she faces in operating two spaces is students wanting her to teach at both studios, all the time – which is impossible
Brandi’s favorite performance of herself – Tricks up the Pole and then flow
Brandi’s favorite performances of someone else: Jenyne Butterfly – Pole Convention 2011
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Want to hear more? Check out Episode #4 with Natayla Nightshade and Episode #5 with Shay Williamson!