From Paducah to New York City and Back Again
Tressa Wilham, native to Paducah, opened the Academy of Movement and Performing Art (AMPA) in Fall 2009. After training in NYC and finishing a bachelor's degree in dance and economics, Tressa moved home to explore the opportunities available in Paducah. A few months of limited findings led Tressa close to jumping on the next plane back to New York. But something stopped her. "I always thought I would open a dance studio in Paducah but I was never sure when was the right time. All of sudden, it just hit me that it was time to do this." One year later, having taken the entrepreneurial risk and following her life-long dream of owning a dance studio, Tressa's numbers have increased three-fold and business is booming.
What made you decide to start a business?
I think I had the entrepreneur bug, if you will, which I think you have to have. I think there are a lot of people who just do better when they are told what to do. And there are a lot of people who function better when they have that leadership. I think I'm definitely one of those leaders. I just get more done when I'm the one in charge.
How do you think you were prepared to start a business?
Dance is my love. Being a dancer has become my identity. Exposing other younger dancers to that and sharing everything you can learn through dance, that's been my preparation-- realizing what dance has been to me and being able to give that back. In regards to the business side, I moved to New York City when I was 18 years old. I studied dance in school, and economics. Of course the economics was big preparation. And just working for entrepreneurs that I looked up to and learned a lot from--learning how to handle business professionally and giving a service professionally, such as a dance class. That's really been my training. Just really gettting out there and exposing myself to the dance training and the business side and developing those skills.
Why did you choose Paducah to start a business?
I didn't think I was quite ready to start a studio. But I felt like there was a demand here. There were a lot of young individuals who were thirsty for the art of dance, who were very interested and passinate about it, who knew deep down they weren't getting what they wanted. I think I always knew I would end up in Paducah, my family is here. I feel like there is a big art community in Paducah that isn't always touched on. I just felt like it was time. And no matter where it is, even if it's not your ideal spot, I think it's all about letting go of that being set in stone where you're going to be. I think Paducah has everything you need, you just have to know and feel that it's the right time to start that business.
Who supported you in the beginning?
When I was starting, I think the hardest thing for me was feeling alone. You really don't even know where to start, there is so much to do. In my case, I had very little time to do it, I had about a month to prepare and get everyting up and rolling. My main support system came from my family and the families I allowed to let in. I think one of the biggest mistakes when starting a business is trying to do everything on your own. I did allow parents to help with suggestions, construction of the buidling or anyway they could. Anything that they were offering, I allowed that. And of course my family being there and encouraging me. I did actually sponsors that helped out from a financial standpoint. [They] helped out by supplying dance floors and ballet bars, just simple things. So I didn't feel so alone. It ultimately made the studio kind of open and start up and we were a family from the beginning. I think that's what it's all about. Finding that intiial support group and allowing them to help out when they can.
About EntrePaducah 