Today we’d like to introduce you to Constance Blaize Shorter.
Hi Constance, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Law to Leotards
By Constance Blaize-Shorter
After being a Paralegal and Mediator for seven years, I began searching for a law school to attend. Contemplating what I wanted to write on my college application cover letter, I could not help thinking, “What if? What if I decided to open a dance school and continue to work full-time until the business becomes self-sustaining?” A career in the creative arts was enticing! I left the law field and took a job as a technical writer as it was less demanding and allowed me some flexibility. A year later, in 2006, I opened BLAIZE Dance Productions, Inc. (known today as BlaizeDance, Inc.), the birthplace of several theatrical dance productions, ensembles, and girls’ clubs. Our dance school became well known in the community, and we were even invited to the Super Bowl XXXV Halftime Show in Tampa, FL.
Blaize International Dance Ensemble (B.I.D.E) grew in popularity. We performed at conferences where public figures in the gospel arena, such as Stellar Award Winner Gospel Artis Martha Munizzi and Ann Maria Benton, renowned Author and Pastor, were in attendance. B.I.D.E traveled overseas in 2009 to an event honoring President Barak Obama on the beautiful island of Antigua. In attendance at the ceremony were celebrities and dignitaries such as Academy Award Actress Angela Bassett and Actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste (CBS Drama- “Without a Trace”), and Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Baldwin Spencer. They performed with Ambassador and Singer – Rupert Blaize as they danced to an original song called Mt. Obama, created for the renaming ceremony of the highest mountain on the island, Boggy Peak.
Being a playwright and a writer, I launched my digital publication, Blaize Dance & Fitness Magazine, in 2015. Although there were popular dance and fitness magazines, this magazine was the first to highlight both crafts together. In addition to dance and fitness, other subject matters that address individuals’ holistic lifestyles are in the magazine. A writer at heart, I have always wanted to publish a children’s book. Therefore, I revised a story that I penned about ten years ago, and on July 20, 2021, my first children’s book, Dancing with My Feet, was released. It is a whimsical fictional story based on my daughter’s dance journey with her ballet teacher and friends.
When COVID invaded our world, like many businesses, the magazine halted for a short while, but I shifted and taught dance classes online and capitalized on our blog. I also focused my energies on writing more children’s dance books that will be out soon. As for my law experience, it helped me operate my business. I am thrilled that I have chosen to become an entrepreneur in the creative arts. It afforded me the flexibility that I needed for my husband and I to start a family. Being a Mompreneur is very fulfilling and challenging at the same time. Balancing the operations of my business allows me to be available for my children and husband can be tricky sometimes. However, I would never regret watching my children mature from infants to where they are today, being PTA President and attending all the dance recitals and soccer games. As for my marriage, having a supportive husband who believes in me and encourages me to continue to pursue my passions as my primary career has brought us closer. He bolters me up and is a fierce cheerleader! I respect his business sense, and he is just as excited about contributing his time whenever I need him.
To date, a new magazine publication will be out soon, and I cannot wait to bring something new to our 1 Millon plus global readers. Also, I am working on establishing a dance ensemble in Austin, TX, within the next year or so. We have been in Texas for 2.5 years, and there’s much-untapped talent in this city! I enjoy re-inventing myself through my gifts, and at age 52, I have no plans of slowing down any time soon!
I look forward to making my mark by entertaining, educating, and enlightening others through dance and fitness. I am open to where the following chapters in my life will take me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road is not always smooth. The juggling act between balancing your family and your career can be brutal at times. I often have deadlines that go unmet due to soccer practice, dance recitals, music rehearsals, art class, date night with my husband, helping with homework, cooking, cleaning, walking the dog, and the like. I tell women this phrase all the time that I heard from Oprah Winfrey that says ” You can have it all, just not all at the same time.” Hence, there are times when my business takes a backseat to my family and vice versa. Fortunately, my husband can step in at times -which makes balancing my priorities a bit lighter and I feel less guilty should I absolutely have to miss an event.
On the other end, working a full-time job and starting up a business takes a lot out of you. You can clock out of your corporate position, but you must show up 24/7 for your business. Doing the marketing, teaching classes, and handling the administrative portion were all done by me until I found good help. Did I have thoughts of closing shop in my third year of business? Yes! God yes! But I stuck in there through the difficulties, and I am a better businesswoman and Artistic Director for it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
According to my article, I am an Artistic Director of a dance school that I started in 2006. BlaizeDance, Inc. We have had to pivot various times due to relocations and COVID. We went from a storefront to mobile and then virtual. We are known for our Dance Ensemble-BIDE- and teaching children and adults 4-50 plus. We are also known for our theatrical dance productions and involving the community in our shows.
I am also the Editor-in-Chief of a global digital publication – bdfmagazine.com, with over a million readers and subscribers. This magazine has always been a dream of mine. I did not know that its primary focus would be dance, fitness, and subjects that support the individual holistically. The magazine is known for featuring dance and fitness jointly, displaying models and guests of all races and ethnicity. We deliberately created a magazine that would speak to people globally. In addition, we have featured ordinary people doing extraordinary things and celebrities in various professions.
I can honestly say that the business has managed to make an impact in several ways. I am most proud of our work in every community and the skills we instruct the students in class. Due to my husband’s profession, we have lived in Florida, Chicago, Arizona, Boca Raton, and Texas (Austina and DFW. Despite these relocations, the business evolved to accommodate our geographical location. There are more proud moments for me. I cannot name one. Traveling globally with BIDE to Antigua, my birthplace, performing for the country, dignitaries, and celebrities was a dream realized. We were part of making history that day. Of course, yes! The Super Bowl was another event to be proud of as well.
What sets us apart in terms of dance is our curriculum. We specialize in teaching techniques safely and making sure that the dancer knows how these movements affect their bodies. Parents and other colleagues told me that our emphasis on performance (we have three productions during the year) makes the dancer feel good as their goal is to perform what they are learning.
I believe that the assorted topics that we have, such as Fashion and Beauty, Financial Fitness, Mental Health, Technology, and Recipes, drive our publication’s uniqueness. The magazine has gotten feedback regarding the topics we choose and the people we highlight. The joint focus on fitness and dance and how they work together to bring forth great dancers and a healthy lifestyle usually brings them back for another issue.
In summary, we are unique in our approach to dance and the publication.
What matters most to you? Why?
Family, community, health, faith, and fun. (If I had to pick one, the family would be it.)
A family is the first place where you learn to be a team, love unconditionally, and expect people to show up for you no matter what. It is the place that teaches you how to love yourself and others. It also teaches you how to deal with conflict and to forgive. It is a space where you can be hour im-perfect self and glean constructive and truthful feedback.
Community in any space, school, home, neighborhood, work, or church brings people closer together in ways that create validation, accountability, and unity.
Being healthy is key to a prosperous life. We should be good stewards of the bodies that God gave us. These bodies are here to serve us and those around us. I try to be healthy for myself and my family. The healthier you are, the more you can enjoy your life as you show up for yourself and others.
My Christian faith means everything to me. Understanding that there is a higher power and that we are here to serve others keeps me focused on my gifts. I believe that operation in my gift and turning them into a career allows me to bless others in ways that I may not ever witness.
Having fun is necessary. When you have children, you realize that playing is their number one priority. Laughing and having fun in all that they do matters. Hence, I try to have fun when I can because we have so many things to worry about in our world. Therefore, our family is big on laughter and sharing good times together. Being a children’s author and Artistic Director, adding some joy to the lives of my readers and students is satisfying.
Contact Info:
- Email: blaizedance@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.bdfmagazine.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blaizedance5
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/Dancing-with-My-Feet-109171558111428
Image Credits
Jordan Matter Joseph Shorter and BlaizeDance, Inc. Photo Team JMac-Photography Shannon Cordero, Photo Cafe, LLC, and Events Sergii Lakhno
