Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chequena Morris-Hall. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Chequena , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
In 2012, I was lost. I viewed myself the way the world, viewed me based on what I had accomplished. Everyone’s opinions swirled around me, shaping a constantly shifting image of who I thought I was supposed to be. It was a never-ending battle of people pleasing and looking for approval. Which left me feeling empty and unsure. It wasn’t until I found faith in Jesus Christ did I being to realize that I am who he says I am and that he had a purpose for me. Once I begin to step out on faith and do the things he required of me, I being to become confident in my abilities and begin to start to feel good about myself.
Eventually, I no longer looked for validation from the world. The Bible begin to show me God’s unwavering love, a love that wasn’t based on anything I did or didn’t do. This unconditional love became the foundation of my self-worth. I wasn’t defined by broken people’s opinions, but by the divine purpose God had for me.
Discovering my identity in Christ was transformative. It wasn’t about being perfect, but about becoming who He created me to be. With a newfound sense of purpose, I embarked on a journey to seek Him with all my heart. This path isn’t always be easy, but he word says he would never leave me or forsake me and he has shown me time and time again, that is word is true.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Elite Formation Studio of Dance is a dance studio that goes beyond simply teaching dance. Our studio contributes to a diverse community of dancers by fostering creativity, and promoting diversity. When my daughter started dancing, she did not see a lot of dancers that looked like her. She begin to feel out of place and it started to diminish her love for dance. I know how much she loved dance so with $40. We started Elite Formation Studio of Dance and focused on kids that looked like her. Little did we know there was an entire community in Loudoun County looking for a more diverse dance studio. We offer a safe space for all dancers regardless of shape, size or color. Our children and families thrive in our family oriented dance studio. Representation matters so much for children and adolescents, it boosts their self-esteem and confidence. They can see themselves reflected in everyday people. We pride ourselves in fostering a sense of self-worth and belonging.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Wow, great question, as an aspiring entrepreneur! The road to building something new is exciting, but it’s can be difficult. The three core strengths that have worked for me are: creativity, perseverance, and endurance.
Think of creativity as your guide. It helps you see the gaps in the market, and you can find the need that is not being met. It’s that spark that ignites solutions that can set your business apart.
Perseverance: You have to be ready. There will be doubters, setbacks, and moments where you want to throw in the towel. Perseverance is what keeps you pushing forward, It’s constantly fueled by the passion for your ideas. Block out the negativity, because with perseverance, you can navigate through all the doubts and negativity and stay focused on your vision.
Finally, endurance, you must endure. Endurance will give you what you need for the long haul. Endurance is like an unwavering spirit that lets you weather any storm, the late nights, the unexpected challenges. It’s the strength that keeps you going mile after mile until you reach your destination.
Remember, these aren’t just skills, they’re the guides that will help set up your business. Creativity fuels your drive on this course, perseverance gets you through the tough times, and endurance keeps you in the race until you cross the finish line. These key skills are just some of the tools to help anyone build something truly remarkable.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
Finances are undeniably the biggest hurdle I face. As a creative with a passion for serving the community, it’s tough to achieve financial stability. We pour our hearts into these ventures, often struggling to make ends meet.
The challenge lies in balancing our mission with financial viability. We can’t simply overcharge for our services, because the people who need them most may not be able to afford them. For example, in my case, I can’t turn away a child who wants to dance just because their family can’t afford the full price. This sometimes leads to a kind of “robbing Peter to pay Paul” scenario, where we have to make tough choices to keep things afloat.
Despite these difficulties, the reward of serving the community is immense. We’re finding creative solutions to bridge the financial gap, and the impact we have makes it all worthwhile. Unfortunate those who can help us with funding have unreachable qualifications for those that operate out of the love for what we do and not financials.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.eliteformationstudiodance.com
- Instagram: Elite_Formation_Studio
- Facebook: Elite Formation Studio of Dance
Image Credits
Photographer: Phelan Marc
