Today we’d like to introduce you to Dara Sayrie and Raguel McFarlane.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Our journey to where we are now has not been easy by any means and truly started even before Fierce Factory existed. My sister and I are ten years apart and dance has been in our lives forever. I grew up as a competitive dancer with my sister, Raguel as my mentor and biggest fan. I went on to become a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader for two years and a Los Angeles Laker Girl for four years. Eventually, life led me back to Houston in 2013 and the rest was history.
Fierce Factory initially started almost 6 years ago. Raguel and I began working together at a dance studio in Missouri City. At the time, the studio already had a small competitive dance team of about 7 to 10 girls. With competition being both mine and Raguel’s background, the owner approached us about growing and taking over the competitive program. With no hesitation, we agreed! Within a year the team grew from 7 to 33. Fast forward to now and we have a roster of 65 dancers!
Over the course of five, going on six seasons, Fierce Factory has won numerous National Championship titles in both group routines and solo routines. Our primary focus isn’t training good dancers. Our focus is training phenomenal young women! We value teaching leadership, commitment, family, friendship, loyalty, and self-confidence. It has been almost two years since we officially branched off from the studio we were originally affiliated with to make Fierce Factory Dance & Talent a stand-alone business. Our studio is now owned and operated solely by Raguel and myself. Fierce Factory now offers both our competitive program and a growing and successful recreational program as well.
Every year brings new experiences and each one has molded and shaped us into who we are today. We have two mottos in our studio. One for the studio and one for our dancers. The studio motto is: “Fierce Factory, a place where dancers are made and not born.” Our dancers’ motto is: “ In order to be FIERCE, you must first be CONFIDENT!” Our main goal is for all of our dancers to grow as artist, people, and most importantly to be so Fierce in life that no one can ignore them.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Our road has not been smooth by any means! About two years ago, my sister and I were having professional differences with the individuals that took over the studio we were originally working under. The original owner had moved away and sold her portion of the business. In November of 2017, due to unforeseen circumstances and professional differences, Raguel and I had to part ways and separate from the studio we were working for. This was right before our girls’ Competition season was about to start. At that time, we had a team of 67 dancers with nowhere to go. So, we did all that we knew how… we persevered! Within weeks of being let go, God opened more doors then we could ever imagine. We found a perfect building only 1 mile from where we used to be, Several moms stepped up to help us find facilities to use for practice while we did build-out so that our girls wouldn’t miss a beat, and a friend of ours flew all the way to Texas to do our build-out for us. The last detail might seem minor, but it was actually HUGE. At the time, we were in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey so all contractors were completely booked! Our friend who is a contractor came in with his crew and truly saved the day.
So many people kept telling us not to get our hopes up because it is so hard to open a business in Missouri City, but that wasn’t our experience AT ALL! We got our building, we got a contractor, we got permits passed quicker than ever, and we had more parents than ever step up to help lay floors, paint, decorate, and so much more. At the time, I remember being so exhausted and ready to throw in the towel. Then I would quickly remember how many amazing little girls were counting on us to get things done. Keep in mind, this entire time our dancers had no clue what was actually going on. They just thought they were getting a new Dance Studio for Christmas!
That season was the most chaotic year ever and we were all worried of how the chaos might affect the team’s season. But those dancers took the floor each competition like nothing had ever happened and like they never skipped a beat. In the end 3 of our 4 age groups walked away as the Over All National Championship Team in their category! Talk about a testimony! That day is a time none of us will ever forget.
Fierce Factory Dance & Talent – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Fierce Factory is known not just for our successful competitive program, but more for how we are able to transform some of the shyest and most unconfident girls into the most poised, outgoing, and fearless dancers. Many people ask how we do it and the answer is simple. We aren’t a business, we are a family! Raguel and I along with our staff take the time to get to know all of our students and their families. We monitor our dancer’s attitudes and behaviors in the studio and outside of it. Making sure they are carrying themselves as classy young ladies and ambassadors of Fierce Factory.
I think the thing we are most proud of is the amount of growth that our dancers have had in such a short period of time. Our dancers have competed and won against other teams in Houston who have been in business for over 15 and 20 years. That is something for them to be proud of! Lastly, we just strive to still make dance and our studio fun. We have parties, we go on outings, and we just know how to have a good time!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to us is when you can set goals and not just achieve them but EXCEED them! Success isn’t about winning trophies. It’s about seeing our dancers transform from dancers to passionate artists who are ready to take over the world! There is nothing more rewarding than assisting children in reaching for the stars and making their dreams become reality.
Raguel and I’s goal is for Fierce Factory to remain not just a dance studio, but a home and safe haven for young dancers who simply need an outlet. As businesses grow it becomes easy to lose sight of your original morals and values. The two of us are determined to keep our business as family-oriented as possible!
Pricing:
- $75 Registration Fee
- 1 FREE trial class
Contact Info:
- Address: 5425 Hwy 6 Suite D100 Missouri City, Texas
- Website: www.fiercefactorydance.com
- Phone: 281-969-8693
- Email: fiercefactory1@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @fiercefactorydance
- Facebook: @fiercefactorydance
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