Grace Mattingly with her Outstanding Young Business Leader award. Photo: Supplied.
A Wagga dancer who has run her own dance studio since she was 19 and launched a second business five years later has been recognised for her achievements.
In August, Grace Mattingly was named Wagga’s Outstanding Young Business Leader at the local business chamber awards. She then became a regional finalist in the same category at the Riverina Murray regional awards.
Region caught up with the 24-year-old to find out the secrets to her success, her advice to others, role models and ambitions.
How did you end up owning a dance studio as a teenager?
I’ve always loved dancing and have been doing it since the age of four. I did my training at the Southern Cross Performing Arts and then went over to Steet Slamin Dance Centre, under its founder Callie Batkin. When she decided she just wanted to be a mum, I took over the studio from her.
How scary was it to own your own company at age 19?
It was hard at the start, though people underestimated me because of my age. My parents supported me – they own the car mechanic business Natrad Wagga, so I obviously had good leadership from them.
How have you changed the dance studio since taking it over?
It was only a hip hop studio when I took over, but I turned it into a competitive dance studio and I’ve expanded what we do, like launching competitive cheerleading. Then I started Venom Allstars Cheerleading earlier this year, which is a separate business in the same complex. At Venom, we also do Pilates, stretch classes and tumbling classes.
Grace Mattingly has always been a cheerleader and now owns two businesses too. Photo: Bridgette Gollasch.
Dancing is known as a cutthroat industry. How has it changed since you were a child?
In the competitive industry, it’s still very cutthroat. I tell all my students it’s a hard world out there; there’s not that many jobs that you can go into compared to the number of kids that dance.
The full-time schools are very competitive; you’re dancing six hours a day non-stop for two years just to try and get a contract somewhere.
But the industry has also evolved, with more tolerance now towards different body shapes, racial groups and those who are transgender.
Any recent highlights for you?
Earlier this year, we took five competition teams to Orlando in the USA for a dance finals. We got two firsts and a second, and we had a team from Venom All Stars that came second too.
What advice would you give to a young woman wanting to start her own business?
Just do it. Take a leap of faith. What’s the worst that could happen? It fails and you try again. The best that could happen is you succeed and never know where it could take you. I never thought I’d be starting a second business, but look where I am now.
Who are your role models?
My parents, of course. Abby Bradbury, who runs Dynamite Studio on the Gold Coast. I’ve gone to her talks and conferences. She started off with a tiny school while doing another job; now she owns one of the biggest studios in Australia.
What daily habits help you run two businesses?
I always try and get up early and do Pilates or other exercise to get my day started well. I also have set days to go to my office to get things done. I’m a real ‘to do list’ girl, and ticking off the stuff I can get done helps me with my busy life.
Do you have any hobbies?
I work a lot. Street Slamin’ and Venom are my hobbies. I love what I do, so I don’t mind being there.
What’s your ultimate ambition?
I’d love to have a dance school academy, where kids do school during the day and then dance. That’s my big plan but it’s not one for the near future.
