We had the good fortune of connecting with Chelsie Hill and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Chelsie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I first started this idea of a wheelchair dance team I started it purely because I wanted friends. I was about 2 years newly injured at that time and wanted to feel a sense of normalcy. I invited 6 girls to my hometown and we had a girl’s weekend full of dancing, going to dinner, sleepovers and so much more. That weekend I felt something I never thought id feel again.. like I belonged somewhere like I could roll into a room and feel like I wasn’t the only person people were staring at!
What should our readers know about your business?
My company Rollettes has become the largest network of women in chairs. That’s still very crazy for me to say because, at the beginning that wasn’t the goal, that has just happened naturally over time. We have an all-women wheelchair dance team, the largest women’s empowerment weekend for women who use wheelchairs (Rollettes Experience), the Boundless Babe Society mentorship program, and so much more! Getting to where I am today has been a lot of trial and error! I have needed so much guidance from my therapist, my team, and my friends around me. When you are building something that has never been done before many people don’t believe in what you’re doing till you actually do it. I’ve learned to never give up, I am a clear example of that. I have been given more “No’s” than id like to admit but those “No’s” pushed me to the “yes’s”.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have so many incredible people in my life that have helped me mentally, physically, and emotionally get where I am today. From the very beginning, my family to the girls on Push girls, to every single Rollette that has come and gone on the team, to each of the Rollettes Experience attendees over the last 10 years, and last but not least my manager Joe Loera and COO Bria Pellandini. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by incredible people who have understood this crazy vision I have and have gotten behind the movement for a bigger purpose.
Website: www.rollettesdance.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rollettes_la/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rollettes
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RollettesDanceTeam
Image Credits
Photo credit for solo shoot: Victor Salazar Photo credit for group: Gustavo