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February 4, 2025

Kelly Kirkpatrick: If the Lights Go Out, Keep Dancing

Episode 45
“When you’re on stage, you keep going no matter what.”
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Kelly Kirkpatrick: If the Lights Go Out, Keep Dancing

Episode 45

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We have level 1 to 10. 10 is being at the top level. You have your faces, you have your attack, your energy, all the things to be at the highest level for themselves. That's level 10...If they want to be at a level 10, they'll work at a level 10. That means in classwork, not just on stage.

Kelly Kirkpatrick is more than just a dance studio owner—she’s a mentor, entrepreneur, and community builder. As the owner of On Your Toes Dance Studio and On Pointe Dancewear, Kelly has spent 27 years shaping young dancers, not just in technique but in confidence, resilience, and character. In this episode, she shares how she turned a childhood side hustle into a thriving business, her journey through pivots and self-doubt, and why teaching kids life lessons is at the core of everything she does.

This episode is for entrepreneurs, parents, coaches, and anyone striving to make an impact. You’ll learn how to build a strong team, create a lasting culture, and push past fear and self-doubt—whether in business, leadership, or personal growth. Kelly’s story will inspire you to embrace resilience, trust the process, and remember that anything worth having requires hard work. Tune in and get ready to be motivated!

Guest Contact Information

Kelly Kirkpatrick Promo Shot

Kelly Kirkpatrick

Owner
OnYour Toes Dance Studio

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Show Notes

Kelly’s Entrepreneurial Journey (00:00 – 13:07)

  • Kelly started selling crafts door-to-door at age 8-9
  • At 13, began teaching dance in a subdivision clubhouse
  • Moved dance lessons to her basement, running it through high school
  • Started bathing dogs at grooming salons while in high school
  • Pursued dance degree at Webster University after brief stints in zoology and business
  • Dance Studio Ownership and Philosophy (13:08 – 28:34)
  • Kelly owns ‘On Your Toes Dance Studio’ for 27 years
  • Focuses on teaching life skills, responsibility, and teamwork through dance
  • Emphasizes personal best rather than winning at all costs
  • Created a family-like culture at the studio
  • Deals with challenges of social media influence on dancers’ expectations

Impact on Students and Community (28:34 – 01:04:34)

  • Former students return, often wishing they had worked harder
  • Kelly recognized as a local celebrity in her community
  • Strives to build ‘good humans’ through dance education
  • Balances being a technician and a nurturing teacher
  • Shares story of students persevering through power outage during performance

Personal Growth and Business Challenges (01:04:35 – 01:16:07)

  • Kelly experiences self-doubt and compares herself to other choreographers
  • Relies on staff and family for support during challenging times
  • Emphasizes the importance of pivoting and learning from mistakes
  • Discusses the fear of letting people down and the need for validation
  • Recognizes the cyclical nature of her doubts and challenges

Reflection on Career and Impact (01:16:07 – 01:22:26)

  • Kelly reflects on the impact she’s had on students’ lives
  • Emphasizes the importance of being a good role model
  • Discusses the challenges and rewards of owning a dance studio
  • Shares contact information for her dance studio and dancewear business
  • Encourages listeners to share the podcast if they found it inspiring

Content Notice

This podcast and all She Lift Project content represents the opinions of Cynthia Kirkpatrick and her guests. The content here is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice – financial, legal, medical, or otherwise.

Views and opinions expressed in the podcast and across all She Lift Project media channels are our own and do not represent that of our places of work. While we make every effort to ensure that the information we are sharing is accurate, we welcome any comments, suggestions, or correction of errors.

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