Jasmine Mathew shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Jasmine, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I think one of the things that may be misunderstood about my business is that it is a charitable organization just trying to offer a one-time or short-term connection to the art of dance. It is actually a small business that advocates for long-term journeys into all aspects of using dance, whether it be a therapeutic, career, volunteership, education and advocacy or any other path. It is also offered through the eyes of both dancers and therapists.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jasmine Mathew and I am the CEO and Founder of Jasmine’s Beat ® Adaptive Dance company. I am an experienced Recreational Therapist with over 25 years of experience, and a dancer with over 40 years of experience. What makes us unique is that we cater to all disabilities, invisible and visible, all ages from 0-100+, and provide assistance to grow within dance, whether it be towards a specific therapeutic goal, a career in dance, mental health, as well as advocacy for our students within their community. We are currently working on expansion through virtual classes, hospitals, and classes for adults. We also empower seasoned students into becoming our Adaptive Dance Instructors as well.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I was super quiet, a wallflower, and had very poor self-esteem. It’s been a very long work in progress, but I credit my work in drama club, working with clients, performing in various shows and being a speaker at various professional events for therapists for changing that outlook a bit. I’m still fighting “imposter syndrome” and a self-doubter but constantly rewriting the chapter ahead of me by realizing slowly all the things that are possible.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think the fear of speaking up for myself has been a struggle that held me back. When I go out of my comfort zone and try, it’s almost like an adrenaline rush but usually ends up with some kind of positive result. I think what helps is realizing every small positive step leads to bigger levels. Every “no” is a learning curve. Easier said than done, I’ll admit. I’m hoping this helps others step into “uncomfortable” leaps into the next level.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends would say my kids and my family really matter to me. I think they would also say empowering the disability population really matters to me as well. Kindness matters to me the most.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Ha! There is one particular group that is the highlight of my week during my hardest weeks and it surprised me the most, being that I LOVE working with kids. When I teach chair dance at the Senior Center in Frisco, I am literally given an ovation at the end of the class and it makes me blush. I have been asked many times to add more of my classes throughout the week and that speaks volumes as how the class is received by the students. They are smiling, despite what obstacles they are facing that day. I love planning ahead music that might help them reminisce, get excited, start talking, and get moving. They also love add-ons like Bollywood music and movement, and that is my original exposure to dance. I love making people feel joy.
