Today we’d like to introduce you to Yuka Omori
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was a professional ballerina and then I became a professional ballet teacher, certified Pilates mat and Progressing Ballet Technique instructor after my retirement from stage. My passion has been always Ballet and helping my students.
However, I started to feel bad lower back pain, so I felt I need to reduce teaching hours. When I was talking to my friend about my health condition, she suggested me to open dancewear store. I still wanted to work something related with Ballet and use my knowledge. That was the beginning of my story.
But my first question was how to start my own business. I never studied about business, and I wasn’t really interested in opening my business. So, I had to call the city of Houston and asked what kind of permission and license I need for my business.
They weren’t sure about it, but they recommended me to contact an organization called “Score”. Score has been helping America’s small business launch for 60 years. This is why I met my business mentor from Score, and he taught me how to start business, and gave me support what I needed and still he is.
I was able to do our Grand Opening on January 6, 2025. We are still a few weeks old, trying and learning a lot every day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been easy for me to start my business in foreign country in my second language. Also I did not have any knowledge of business. However, when my mentor and friends gave me the direction and the opportunities to start and grow my business, I didn’t feel that much struggle, I really appreciate for their support.
My biggest struggle so far was when we had to move out our first location in downtown after a few weeks we moved the building for the first time. We almost finished setting up the store and were ready to do soft opening.
However this is what I had to deal with, so I found a new location in one week, and packed up everything to move our new location during Thanksgiving holiday. That was a drama.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I became the owner of my dancewear store in Greenway – Upper Kirby Area in Houston from January 2025. I sell pointe shoes, dance wears, dance shoes, and accessories at my store. I have been a professional ballet dancer performed with such as New Jersey Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theatre, Oakland Ballet as a leading artist, so I’m familiar with dance wear and pointe shoe already. But I went to study pointe shoes fitting in Birmingham, England in March, 2024 before I open my store to give best knowledge for my customers.
Also I still work for Kennedy Dance Theatre as ballet mistress and the artistic director of youth ballet company, Ballet Jete as full time employee.
I’m very competitive with myself, and thinking how much I can push myself and how I can perfect my jobs everything what I do. Because I will never be perfect, but that brings motivation to my work. If I can be proud of myself, it’s my hard work.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
My favorite book used to be “HACHI”. HACHI is the name of a dog who used to be owned by a professor of Tokyo University, Dr. Ueno. This story is based on a true story. HACHI used to go to Shibuya train station to meet Dr. Ueno everyday. What is great about HACHI was after Dr. Ueno’s sudden death. HACHI kept going to the train station everyday about 10 years after his owner’s death to meet him.
And there is the dog statue front of the train station in Japan. HACHI’s persistence was paid off after the statue! I think it’s important to continue for anything instead of giving up to soon. Because we have to put efforts and hard work to continue one thing.
I wish I had more time to read great books instead of reading text books or Texas Comptroller’s website.
Pricing:
- Pointe Shoes $102-114
- Demi Pointe Shoes $59.90
- Leotards $25.90-$75
- Jazz Shoes/Sneakers $39-40.50
- Boy/Men’s tights $24.90-57.90
Contact Info:
- Website: https://apollodancewear.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apollo_dancewear?igsh=czFkc2g2eW93c3du&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/161pDMkyqa/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/apollo-dancewear-houston
Image Credits
For my personal and work photos: Michael Banigan
For pointe shoes photo: Freed
