In this week’s interview, we have the pleasure of introducing you to Lavania Hajji, Director of Dance Embassy.
Lavania was working with Singapore Airlines and loved the job, but she also loved dancing and the positivity that it brought to her life, as she was suffering from depression. She took the plunge to leave her job and pursue her passion for dancing.
It took a lot of sacrifices, and Lavania had to hold down multiple jobs to get trained and be the sole breadwinner for her family. Eventually, when she learned the ropes of running a dance and fitness business, she started Dance Embassy.
Over the past decade, Dance Embassy has grown to thousands of students globally. They have held sold-out workshops in Singapore, Malaysia, Paris, and India. They have also been featured on many media platforms, and over Circuit Breaker, together with Audible, they released the world’s first Bollywood Dance Fitness podcast.
Lavania believes there’s still a long way to go and that they are just getting started. They wake up each morning excited to take on the day as she and her team are passionate about transforming lives.
Connect with Lavania
Let’s start with the timeless 60 seconds ‘elevator pitch’, what’s yours?
Dance Embassy is your one-stop studio for all your dance, fitness, and wellness needs. We have just turned 10 years and from all these years, we have built an incredible community of positive people. You got to join us to experience it!
At one point or another, it is inevitable that challenges will pop up in business. What’s your approach to overcoming challenges?
We take it a step at a time and we review the challenges as a team, brainstorming solutions. If need be, we hire a consultant/expert to review our challenges with us. They do come at a hefty price but it’s worth it.
Sales and marketing are two very important, but different, functions within a business. What is your number one sales tip?
To be genuine with establishing a human connection with our customers first before transforming them into raving fans.
What is your favourite business tool or system?
Social media in general has been a great channel of advertising for us.
It is important to celebrate your achievements, particularly during the difficult times. How do you celebrate your achievements?
We are not shy when it comes to celebrating our achievements. We either give a special discount for our members or we arrange for a dinner party.
Being in business is like an education in itself, what are the three most important lessons you’ve learned in your business?
Lesson 1: We are in a people business. Hence, customer service is important.
Lesson 2: We are also in a very competitive market. Hence, establishing a business that’s reputable took time and with the number of years we have been in business and with our list of incredible clients, people do not second guess our offers.
Lesson 3: Having competitors are healthy but we have also had our fair share of unhealthy ones who have tried to poach our clients, instructors who have left us and used our resources to open their own companies but we have learned to stay in our lane and keep abreast with changing times.
What business-related book or podcast has inspired you the most?
Rich dad, poor dad. A book that can be revisited many times.
The purpose of such an interview is to promote your business. Please tell us, who is your dream client?
We would love to work with corporate clients as we believe that what we offer will be beneficial in building a positive work culture. All work and no play make us dull anyway.
If you are Lavania’s dream client, please contact her through her website, Dance Embassy.
Thank you for taking the time to connect with us Lavania. We are delighted to showcase you on our site.
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Women Business Owners Asia is a passion project to showcase the women, living in Asia, who have taken the plunge and started their own business.
“There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise.” – Unknown
If you’d like to see a Women Entrepreneur profiled, please ask her to fill out our interview form.