Welcome to our Purpose Stories blog series. Today we are shining the light on amazing Joanna, founder of Bossy Girl and One Youth Dance. Joanne started her creative business at the age of 17, and it has grown to become the UK’s leading training programme for young dancers. Joanna has now started Bossy Girl Group which provides training, support and guidance for young women.
Purpose Stories is where we interview amazing women from different industries, at all levels of their careers to get an insight into what they do, how they got there and any career advice that they may have.
Read below to get to know more about Joanna:
Introduction
My name’s Joanna Shaw, I’m 27 and the owner of two small businesses; a dance company called One Youth Dance and a coaching business called Bossy Girl.
When did you start your first business?
I started One Youth back in 2011 when I was 17. It goes without saying that I didn’t know the first thing about running a business! I simply knew that I wanted to create change within dance, and share what I loved. I believe to this day that if you feel drawn to create something, love it and are passionate about it, everything will fall into place, and you’ll learn what you need to along the way.
What is the name of your business/businesses and what do you do?
At One Youth we work with young people from across the country, from our base in London, and are working to become the UK’s leading training provider for young dancers. We offer free training open to all young people and an audition only company programme. The company have performed all over the country; some of my favourite memories are dancing for The Queen and Royal Family at Buckingham Palace and with Hofesh Shechter Company at The Tower of London. Our dancers have gone on to train at some of the best schools in the world and perform all over the globe. I have an amazing team and have the privilege of working with incredible young people. Without a doubt, running my own business, I’ve experienced things I couldn’t have been a part of any other way.
How did you manage running a successful business at such a young age?
Honestly, running a business as a young woman is tough. I’ve found my twenties to be a period of self-realisation. I’ve grown up so much and started to figure out who I am, where my boundaries lie and what my values are. Looking back I realise that, starting a business before I’d done any of that work meant I was vulnerable. I dealt with a lot of stuff, that looking back, I didn’t need to. I hadn’t yet learnt how to protect myself and my energy, and I think that as a business owner, knowing what you will and will not stand for, and what your fundamental values are is absolutely key. All of this is the reason I created bossy girl. I wanted to provide the guidance and support network that I wish had been there for me.
What do you love most about the work that you do?
More than anything, I love the people. One of my favourite things about being my own boss is being able to choose the people I work with everyday. My team are some of the kindest, most talented people I know, and the dancers I work with are like family to me.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own business?
First of all, I’d say start today! There will never be a perfect time, and the hardest part is getting started. We love to get in our own way, and make excuses, but I promise, if you take that lead of faith and just get started, everything else will fall into place with time.
I’d also encourage you to trust your gut. Trust your instincts when it comes to the people you allow into your life and business, if it doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t. Sometimes we can’t quantify these feelings, but I can hand on heart say, my gut feeling has never failed me (and oftentimes I’ve learnt this the hard way!). As women we are blessed with female intuition and we should make good use of it. Family, friends and colleagues may give you the best intentioned advice in the world, but you must first and foremost do what feels right for you.
Your biggest challenge / biggest achievement to date?
I’d say the thing I’m proudest of is still being here. There have been so many times over the past nine years I’ve thought about giving up, or questioned if running my own business were really worth it. I can’t tell you how many times I wondered how I’d make it to the end of the month, or how I’d find the fight inside of myself to keep on pushing forward. Through everything though, I’ve maintained faith that the world needs what I’m here to create, and I think if you hold onto that belief, you and your business will get through anything.
If you could recommend 1 thing to young women what would it be?
I can’t pick just one! But if you ask me, Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg and Girl Code by Cara Alwill should be reading for every girl boss.
How can people connect with you and the work that you do?
You can find me on Instagram @bossygirlgroup and at www.bossygirl.group.