Meet Natalia Maravi of DivaDance North Dallas in Carrollton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Maravi.

Natalia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always loved dancing, whether it be in the club or on the stands of a football game cheering my brother on who was a drum major. But it wasn’t until the age of 26 that I finally took my first dance class. Growing up, we couldn’t afford dance classes or for me to be on any dance teams at school. And when I turned 19, I had my baby boy so I spent my 20’s raising him and getting my bachelor’s degree. Then, I reached a point where I wanted to start getting active but I knew I could never commit to the gym. So, over time, my boyfriend encouraged and convinced me to take some dance classes so I could get a workout but also because he knew how much I loved dancing. Let me tell you, being the oldest gal in the room and feeling like the least coordinated is a super vulnerable spot to be in. Despite that feeling, I pushed through and kept attending classes. About one year later, I discovered DivaDance Austin. I checked out a class and fell in love. Everything about it was great. I felt welcomed, they played Beyonce regularly, and my confidence really began to grow.

Fast forward two years, I was attending pretty much every class and I felt amazing!!! I was proud of how much I had improved and I had developed many beautiful friendships, something that was new for a loner like me. With the encouragement of my friends, I began teaching dance classes on my own. I did this for about 8 months before joining the instructor squad for DivaDance Austin. And wow, that has further changed my life for the better. Helping our clients feel good about themselves, giving them some amazing cardio, creating routines that inspire confidence and community, all of this fulfills me in ways I never dreamed of. I recall many conversations with my boyfriend in which I used to say “everyone has a passion, something they do for themselves and they’re good at, but I have nothing”. I feel so blessed to have now found MY passion. All of this is what ultimately led me to open up my own DivaDance. I chose North Dallas/Carrollton because I grew up in DFW and I have family who lives there. I chose to start my own DivaDance company because I’ve seen so many lives changed for the better because of it and I want to bring that to North Dallas. And in ONE month of being open, we’ve already built a gorgeous little community of Queens who are getting their fitness while also gaining confidence. I didn’t think owning a business was in the cards for me. I didn’t think I had that potential in me. But my journey with dancing and DivaDance Austin, which all started four years ago, changed that. And I’m confident that the world needs more of this, and I’m glad I can be a part of sharing it.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been about as smooth as owning your own business can be. I am a franchisee and the support I receive from HQ/DivaDance owners is outstanding. Honestly, my main struggle is dealing with rejection. I am so enthusiastic about sharing what we have to offer with our community, so it’s hard when emails don’t get responses or free class offers don’t get used. But I know this is part of owning your own business, not everyone is going to be into it and that is fine! Another struggle is that I live in Austin so I am working remotely. Thankfully, I have an amazing squad that I can trust to keep things running smoothly while I work on things behind the scenes.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the DivaDance North Dallas story. Tell us more about it.
We are an adult dance company and our classes are all-levels. So that means if you have no dance experience, you can take our classes. It also means that even if you do have dance experience, you can still take our classes because you can modify the routines to suit your skill level. We choose songs from Beyonce to Bieber to Britney to Busta Rhymes. Basically, we love pop inspired music. Each class features a new routine with emphasis on cardio so you can sweat and have fun while doing it. What sets us apart is our community. The dance world can be super intimidating and is not always the most welcoming. But for us, the community is a priority. We support one another and ultimately we grow together. I would say I’m most proud of helping others find their power. It is literally the most beautiful thing to watch someone gain confidence and self-love. To be a part of that journey for someone is incredibly special to me.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Interesting question! I don’t think luck had anything to do with it. My journey is a little different. I started off as a loyal client for two years, then I became an instructor for the next year, and all of that inspired me to become a franchise owner. It’s 100% passion-driven and I’ve experienced the benefits of DivaDance first hand so that is what has been behind all my decision making

Pricing:

• Founding Membership is $60 per month with a 3-month commitment. You get unlimited classes, an exclusive Founding Member Tank, 5 guest passes to give to friends, and a waived sign up fee (available for a limited time, only a handful left)
• Gold Membership (available once the Founding Membership is gone) is $65 per month with a 3-month commitment plus a $49 activation fee. You get unlimited classes and a member tank.
• Month to Month Membership (available once the Founding Membership is gone) is $74 a month plus a $49 activation fee. You get unlimited classes and a member tank.
• $20 for a single class
• $30 for a 2 class pack
• $150 for a 10 class pack

Contact Info:

• Address: Currently our classes are taught at Clique Studios in Carrollton (2385 Midway Rd Suite 100, Carrollton, TX 75006)
• Website: https://divadancenorthdallas.pike13.com/pages/schedule
• Phone: 972-360-8252
• Email: northdallas@divadancecompany.com
• Instagram: DivaDanceNDAL
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivaDanceNorthDallas/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/divadance-north-dallas-carrollton

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