Today we’d like to introduce you to Sunita Narayana and Cynthia Lebel.
Studio E is the result of the dreams of two women, Sunita Narayana, and Cynthia Lebel, both UNT students. We started off with Eshana Dance Conservatory, a Bollywood entertainment company, that delivers upscale dances for private events, such as weddings and parties. As this business began to flourish, we rented studio space to hold dance practices. Finding the right place at the right time was becoming the biggest challenge to our business growth. As we started to explore other options, we recognized the potential business opportunity of owning our own studio. Our efforts paid off. We uncovered a hidden gem in Denton – the space is in a basement of a historic building on Denton Square. The door reads, “Bears Den”, leading guests into a large space under the old Russell’s Department store.
As students with full-time jobs, we toiled for months, working nights fixing and decorating the space. Our passion for our dream kept us going to make Studio E what it is today. It is a space with a unique “speakeasy” character and historic theme that lends itself to use for dance parties, private events, art exhibits, bridal showers, intimate wedding receptions, and corporate events. Most people wouldn’t understand the struggle of starting a business while being a fulltime student and holding a job. The drudgery of toiling for no pay may appear thankless. It may not be logical that anyone would take this painful path, led by a dream. You will sometimes be called “crazy” or your ideas “stupid.” The biggest satisfaction comes from not heeding these words of discouragement but plowing ahead with your vision and making your dream come to life!
Great, 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 been a pretty bumpy ride! The Russell’s Department Store was built in the 1920s. When we first met our landlord, who comes from a family that has been in Denton for many generations, he described how that space had not been the home for a local business for many decades. The space was run down, filled with piles of discarded items that previous business owners had left behind. We spent months of sleepless nights cleaning and renovating the space. We had no idea if the space would ever be up to par again in order to run a business.
While we could see the potential of the place, we didn’t fully anticipate the amount of work and time it was going to consume. Every day was a struggle as we kept learning the hard way, for months. Then we had to learn to deal with city code requirements, inspections and approvals, and all the red tape of establishing a business. It was “on-the-job” training about owning your own business! For two young women coming from families that were not business owners, it was a scary journey to embark on. Even after a year of countless hours of work, it was still unknown if the business would even last or even being able to open the door to the public. Our passion kept our hopes alive and drove us to success. If we are given a chance, we would jump into such an endeavor again, since the end goal is so sweet.
Studio E is our little baby that we have delivered with our sweat, blood, and tears. Having preserved the historic character of the place, we can now say that we are proud to do business in Denton and provide the community a space they can enjoy. The people of Denton don’t have to wonder anymore about what is hidden behind the famous “Bear’s Den” door on the Square – it’s Studio E!
What should we know about Studio E? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Studio E is a three room, multi-functional space with a unique character and historic theme, that has reshaped entertainment in Denton. It creates a cultural focal point for local artists, providing them with a platform from which to showcase their talents. Studio E is more than just an impressive space. It is an informed response to Denton’s desire for a dynamic new entertainment experience. From the interior fit-out to events operations, entertainment bookings to marketing, every component of Studio E draws upon the experience of industry leaders to ensure that the atmosphere is second to none. Each area of the venue has the capacity to work as a stand-alone entity while also operating as a combined and coherent business. The fact that Studio E, an edgy location with a historic touch, was created by two women, sets us apart.
Everyone that has come to an event at Studio E is amazed that such a place exists and are excited about its potential. Having created such a unique location for our clients to enjoy, our hard work continues to ensure that every person that comes through the door has a unique and enjoyable experience. We put customer service as our first priority, going out of the way to connect with our customers on a personal level. Not only have we created the opportunity for the community to have access to a quality space at an affordable price, but we are also looking to help artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers a chance to make their dreams come true as we did in the heart of Denton.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Our advice is to get out there and just do it! The day we signed our lease, we had no idea how we would even pay our first month’s rent. But we took the risk and the rewards came to us exponentially. After a year and a half, the future for Studio E looks more promising than ever. As entrepreneurs, you have to surround yourself with like-minded individuals with similar goals and aspirations. Jim Rohn’s statement: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with” couldn’t be truer. For us, mentors came into our life unexpectedly. We believe that there is no such thing as luck. If you always work hard, go above and beyond, the right people, the “mentors”, will see it and come to you. People that have a strong work ethic and dream bigger than life, tend to outshine and get noticed. Successful business owners will gravitate towards you and take you under their wing since they see their young self in you. Networking is a huge part of any success story. Make connections, get numbers and names, and start a list to build your empire! Be part of your community and give back. Every time you give back, it will come back to you ten-fold. Lastly, do everything in a way that reflects well on you, and be seen as a positive addition to the community of business owners.
Contact Info:
- Address: 208 W Walnut St, Denton, Texas 76201
- Website: https://www.studioedenton.com/
- Phone: 9403128751
- Email: info@studioedenton.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studioedenton/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studioedenton/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/StudioEDenton
Image Credit:
Near the Light Photography, DanielChangFotografia.com
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