Mixing business and pleasure - does it work?

[David Bailey]

In the past, whenever I got even mildly involved with the business end of dancing (i.e. teaching / demo-ing / taxi-ing), there was usually some decrease in my pleasure in dancing. When you have to turn upo at a venue every week, it was less fun for me than just popping in to have a dance.

There were some compensations (money, fame, girls...), but it generally seemed more trouble that it was worth. So, being the hedonist I am, I quit these activities (taxi-ing / demo-ing / teaching) a while back, and mainly stayed as a consumer of dance rather than a producer; largely through being grumpy when asked to do any producing :)

So: is this a common feeling? Do others think that being involved in the business end has reduced their pleasure to an extent, or am I just being weird (again) by worrying too much about this sort of thing?

Also, what techniques do people recommend for managing this business / fun mixture?

[Gadget]

Ask Franck: I've never known anyone to get so much enjoyment from dancing. :worthy: (and you can't get much more "involved" in the business side of things than he is!)

[MartinHarper]

I was chatting to a Lindy girl about this the other day - she occasionally helps out one of the local teachers, but emphatically will not accept payment, as she doesn't want to have the responsibility - even just implied responsibility. I'm sure there are others like her.

[Lynn]

Any MJ dancing I do in NI I have to organise. I can ask some other dancers to help in things like setting out chairs, pouring juice, greeting people etc - but I have to book the venue, let people know when/where, prepare music, be there to open up & lock up, sort out equipment, and make sure all the other bits get done and yes, on occasion, teach a class (if there are newbies along, don't laugh, I still know more than them and I have good teaching skills). And then make sure I dance with all the guys, esp any new men - usually more men than women so I never get to sit down. (OK this last bit isn't so bad!)

And yes, it all does decrease my enjoyment and I do wish that I could just turn up at a class or freestyle and not have to do anything. To be honest, I do it for other people's dancing enjoyment - and its just so fab when someone comes up to me and says they had a good night. My dancing enjoyment is going on weekenders.

And btw I do all this at cost, no profit involved - my 'reward' is smiling faces. :clap:

[Andy McGregor]

I've been in the business of dancing for one year and I love it. The teaching and improves your dancing IMHO as you have to think much more about how the moves are done. And there is a great pleasure in seeing people you've taught progressing as dancers too. But the best part by far is that you can have a class that runs the way you think a class should be run.

The downside is that it's tiring, especially the carrying in and out of equipment. That is the bit I think is compensated by the small profit you make. The other thing I've not liked is being banned as a competitor by two of our local organisers. One even sent out an email saying that my wife, Sue was strange looking and was spying on his home, my dance floors were empty and many other nasty lies :tears:

Nowadays I can't imagine not having a dance class to run or a dance to think about.

[philsmove]

Following the advice of great friend:

“ Find something you enjoy doing and get someone to pay you for doing it”

Twice in the past I have turned a hobby/ sport in to a full time business (nothing to do with dancing)

For about 5 years I have managed to enjoy my hobby and enjoy the business side of it

But after a while the hobby/sport side starts to pale

This can be a mixture of reasons

The “amateurs” accuse you of only doing it only for the money and this can be very unpleasant and nasty

There are also times, when you would rather go down the pub or lie in bed rather than do what used to be your hobby

But as its you job and as the mortgage is dependant on you going to work, there is no option, this can make doing what was fun a chore

Don’t get me wrong I enjoy my work, but it’s not the same as doing it JUST for fun

My advice keep work and your pastimes completely separate

This does not stop you finding a job that is enjoyable

[Andy McGregor]

But as its you job and as the mortgage is dependant on you going to work, there is no option, this can make doing what was fun a chore It would fill me with dread if my financial security depended on an income from MJ. I regard the money I make from MJ as earned from fun and to be spent likewise. Of course, Franck and Franco are living proof that it can be done and they deserve our respect for that :worthy:

[Lynn]

It would fill me with dread if my financial security depended on an income from MJ. I regard the money I make from MJ as earned from fun and to be spent likewise. I think I would be the same, if I was to be more involved and actually making any profit from it - it would be 'extra' money and could go towards dance holidays, dance shoes etc.

On the whole business & pleasure thing, dancing aside, I tend to think that you can have two aims in your working life - either aim to earn as much money as possible, which often ends up on a bigger mortage and newer car than you really need to have - or aim to earn enough money to pay the bills and have a little over for holidays and extras. If you choose the latter you have a lot more flexibility to do jobs that you like, but maybe don't pay as much, or to work part time and have more time to spend with family & friends (and in my case church) and simply enjoying life. :clap:

[Lounge Lizard]

In Janurary 2005 I made the decision to make dance teaching and DJ'ing my main source of income (only for 5 years tho)
I stil enjoy dancing and have always loved music.

It can be unpredictable and I think it will be a good many months before i get the right balance between MJ venues & private bookings.

Although I have been running my own venue for over 6 years I think that if I only worked within the MJ circuit after a few years of doing it full time my enjoyment of our dance would wane.

We are aiming to move away from the MJ bookings and have a mix of Weddings, corporate events, muggle dances with just our regular class nights and occasional MJ booking.

Hopefully with this approach we will never loose our love of dancing
LL

[David Bailey]

But after a while the hobby/sport side starts to pale
...
Don’t get me wrong I enjoy my work, but it’s not the same as doing it JUST for fun

My advice keep work and your pastimes completely separate
Very interesting point (as are all the others).

I've certainly tried to keep work / life separation - for example, I'd hate to work in a company like a big bank, where you work and socialise with the same people, all the time. And I am always worried that one of my main pleasures (dancing! of course) would be diluted by the work commitment you alluded to.

Certainly, talking to a few teachers, they say that there is a difference; you treat things differently and are treated differently (and not always in a positive direction). And it's difficult to go back to "Dancing For Fun" mode.

And as Andy points out, people can get quite nasty when money's concerned (no forumites, of course, you're all lovely :flower: ).

[Andreas]

I always enjoyed teaching and it has not dented my excitement about dancing. What did happen on the odd occasion was that I felt I did not want to drive 110km to teach but that was more weather-related :whistle:

[Andy McGregor]

I think I would be the same, if I was to be more involved and actually making any profit from it - it would be 'extra' money and could go towards dance holidays, dance shoes etc. I've been dance shoe shopping with Lynn and I doubt there is a dance business that earns that kind of money :eek:

[Gary]

... When you have to turn up to at a venue every week, it was less fun for me than just popping in to have a dance. Having to turn up every week would be a bit much. We're mostly rostered on every two or three weeks.



There were some compensations (money, fame, girls...), ...
The money is a joke, who wants fame? and I've got a (fantastic) girl. I do it because I like teaching. It (so far) hasn't had much impact on my regular dancing (if it ever seems to make me enjoy dancing less, I'll quit (see comments above)).

[Lynn]

I've been dance shoe shopping with Lynn and I doubt there is a dance business that earns that kind of money :eek: And I've bought a few pairs since then... :whistle:

[Lucy Locket]

as VM i sometimes find it a chore to muster up the enthusiasm to drive from work J10 of M1 back to Northampton J16 usually just to change & make sure my little boy's ok, might be lucky enough to grab a sandwich before heading up to J21 of the M1 for 7pm & get back home between 11.30 & midnight, every Wednesday.

I also dance Monday's & Tuesday's for pleasure. Sometimes i have to take some time out like this week didn't go Monday or Tuesday (just chilled in front of tv with some chocolate) but will go tonight & Saturday & intend having some Wednesday's off during school holidays.

I find when i've had some time away it's just so refreshing to go back.

But that's me :flower: