Meet Mindy Pellum | Dance Studio Owner & Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mindy Pellum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mindy, how does your business help the community?
As a dance studio offering classes for kids and teens, we have the privilege of raising up the next generation. Most students we see for one or two hours per week, but many students are here every evening putting in hours of training with our various instructors. We don’t take lightly the impact we can have on each child. Not only are we instilling work ethic and commitment in them, we get to pour praise and encouragement into them and watch them grow as dancers and as kind human beings, which they will carry far into their lives. For many of our students, our dance studio is their safe place, the place they can be free to be themselves, when sometimes home or school may not feel so safe. This is priceless, and this is why we love what we do. We are not just growing skilled dancers, we are growing the future generation of leaders. It is such an honor.

What should our readers know about your business?
Freedom Danceworks has brought in some of the best instructors in Arizona. Just because San Tan Valley is on the outskirts of Phoenix doesn’t mean our students should have less quality programs available to them. In fact, most of our instructors hold their B.A. in Dance Education, which is something you don’t see at most dance studios. We offer recreational classes, performing teams, and competitive companies with a strong emphasis on technique. However, we don’t expect our students to give up other aspects of their lives to be at the studio training seven days a week. The mental health of our dancers is more important to us than winning trophies.

There has been nothing easy about this business. I fail and learn and grow on a regular basis. Everything worth doing in life is that way. But when I look back to where I started four years ago, I’m so proud of the courage it took to make this dream a reality. Together with those around me, we have tackled every obstacle that has come our way, and if there is one prime lesson I’ve learned, it is this: Community is everything. I could never be successful on my own. There are so many people who have walked beside me. We are stronger together.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love the Queen Creek/San Tan Valley area! Schnepf Farms and Queen Creek Olive Mill are must-see spots, and I especially love the town events like Trunk or Treat, Holiday Parade, and Spring Into QC (where you can also see our dance students performing on stage). A couple of off-the-beaten-path taco shops worth checking out are Valeria’s Tacos and Creek Side Taco Shack, and you can’t go wrong with Fat Cats for some quality family fun. If looking for a church to attend, I can’t recommend Epic Christian Church enough. Such genuine, caring people there, you will feel like family.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
In 2018, when I made the decision to open a dance studio, I was actually a successful portrait photographer. I realized through running my own business for years that I loved doing my own thing, but I was becoming more and more jaded spending hours behind my computer screen editing photos. During this season, I had been meeting twice a month with a small group of local ladies, reading business books, sharing our goals, and growing together. That time together made me realize that I wasn’t in the right business, and these ladies gave me the push and the encouragement I needed to take a huge risk. I’m so thankful for those ladies and that season of growth. Shout out to Carrie Camino, Dawna Ruiz, and Martha Keiffer for pouring your time and wisdom into me!

Website: www.freedomdanceaz.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/freedomdanceworks

Facebook: www.facebook.com/freedomdanceaz