Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Golden.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve danced and cheered ever since I can remember. My entire life was countless hours of practice, competitions, recitals, practicing outside of practice and everything in between. When I had friends over, our idea of fun was choreographing dances or watching recital videos. I took every dance class possible in many different genres of dance including jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary and hip hop.
After graduating high school, I knew at the age of 18, I wasn’t done dancing yet. I taught dance at my local studio where I grew up dancing, choreographing recital and competition dances. I loved every minute of working with those kids! I auditioned for the Houston Aeros Sonic Boom dance team and danced for them for one season, but I wanted more than that. I started auditioning for the Houston Texans and Houston Rockets.
I auditioned for each team multiple times, but couldn’t figure out what I was missing. Finally, my 3rd time auditioning for the Texans, I made the team! That year, I definitely stepped up my audition game! I stayed with the team for 5 years. Those years were some of the best of my life. I got to perform for over 70,000 fans!
It is an experience like no other! During my tenure as a Texans Cheerleader, I served as a captain, was selected for the swimsuit calendar and traveled to Japan, South Korea, Honduras and Diego Garcia visiting our military and bringing them a little piece of the United States until they could return! The opportunities and the people I’ve met along the way are unforgettable.
Since retiring from the team, I’ve noticed that a lot of pro cheer hopefuls asking for tips to fulfill their dreams that were once mine, so I’ve developed a program for them. Most hopefuls have either a cheer or dance background and very rarely both. I tailor each lesson to help them individually. During these lessons, we also go over their headshots, tryout outfits, hair and makeup and any other questions they may have. Walking into a pro audition the first time can be extremely intimidating and I want to help them prepare the best I can since I know exactly what they are going through. I find that cheerleaders need help loosening up, I find dancers need help with making their movements harder and sharper. I’ve been doing these private lessons for the last 4 years and finding that about 40% of my clients make the team.
This was the birth of Exclusive Cheer & Dance Consulting, LLC. My private lesson numbers have greatly increased, so I’ve hired a team of consultants. I set the client up with the consultant that best suits them, whether it’s me or not. Other than offering clients individual attention private lessons, I also offer classes around town. These classes are fun and high energy offering basic technique and example dance combinations and are geared towards the most seasoned dancer and the beginner dancer. I want my clients to have the most fulfilling dance career, so I bring in guest instructors so they are a well-rounded dancer and are comfortable with any style of dance.
Exclusive Cheer & Dance has expanded over these 8 short months. I had no idea that it would grow this much since it was originally planned to be a part time company. I’ve been working full time in the offshore oil & gas industry for the past 9 years, which has become my second passion!
I’m so thankful for the growth of ECD, I’ve been hired to do anything from choreographing solos for dance competitions, judging tryouts for high school drill teams and even judging dance competitions around Texas and there are no signs of stopping.
ECD just put on their first college / pro dance team convention at the University of Houston (shout out to the Cougar Dolls and HBU dance team!) and has plans to grow this convention next year! I have some pretty exciting things coming up in the future and I cannot wait to share!!
Has it been a smooth road?
No, not at all. As with running any business, there are more struggles than expected. I’ve struggled with getting attendance in class to clients not wanting to pay to sales and marketing strategies and financial situations.
There were times I just felt defeated and thought it would be easier to just give up. I’ve realized that those things are just trivial and the big picture is the main goal. I’ve learned to figure it out and never lost motivation to make this successful. Hard work simply cannot fail.
I’m also extremely lucky to have a very close support system. I don’t know what I would do without them!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Exclusive Cheer & Dance – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Exclusive Cheer & Dance is a unique company that has the ability to offer its clients one on one consultancy services provided by highly experienced instructors. We provide training to all ages and levels of dancers and cheerleaders. ECD offers private lessons, classes, workshops, team and individual choreography and camps.
We specialize in tryout consulting and helping our clients achieve their goals of making the team or officer line. We tailor a plan that meets each individual’s needs, highlight their strengths, down play their weaknesses and develop ways for them to stand out from the other audition candidates. Our goal is to start grooming them as early as possible and shepherd them through the process. It’s never too early to start.
Our biggest event to date is our college / pro dance convention. We brought in renowned guest instructors from around Texas and even opened a master class to the public, which was a great success and will be even bigger next year!
Each of our clients have different goals and ECD’s most proud accomplishment is each client achieving their end goal successfully, whether it’s placing in a dance competition or making an NFL dance team. There is nothing out there like ECD!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I can’t even name only one thing I like about Houston. It’s everything! I love Houston’s cultural diversity, the opportunities that are offered here, the food and restaurants, the size of Houston, Houston sports, the weather, the shopping, everything. This is where I grew up, where I went to high school and college, where I work and where my family lives. There are reasons I never left!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.exclusivecheeranddance.com
- Email: info@exclusivecheeranddance.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/exclusivecheeranddance/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/exclusivecheeranddance
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
