Think Outside the Box: Move & Bloom Box with Maria Hanley
You know how you find ‘friends’ on social media? People you’ve never met in person, but whose energy and vibe just spills out from their Instagram and Facebook posts and makes you fall in love with them?
Maria Hanley is one of those people for me. She’s an amazing and expertly experienced Dance Educator, not to mention creative badass (the woman founded and started a new business during covid!). Today she’s sharing her insights with us on everything from building a business during a pandemic, to tired cliches the dance world needs to break out of.
Follow Maria on Instagram and check out more about Move & Bloom here!
KC: What's your background with dance?
MH: I started dancing at the age of 3 and never stopped! My mom signed me up for dance because she hoped it would make me less shy. I have a BA in Dance from Slippery Rock University and a Masters of Arts in Dance Education from NYU. I have been teaching early childhood dance for 15 years and I love it so much!
KC: Tell us about Bloom Box.
MH: Move & Bloom Box is a monthly subscription box service for teachers wanting to add dance and movement into their classrooms. It is also a subscription box for young families wanting to add dance education into their home. The boxes include props, playlists, activities and movement games, and an option for a virtual class every month!
KC: What was the inspiration for Bloom Box?
MH: I would like to say the idea came from the pandemic but I actually was sitting on this idea for years! Our family made a big move about 4 years ago and I have always wanted to start my own business since then but I just never could find the “right time”. Turns out, there is never a right time, and the pandemic showed me that there was a need for this kind of service! It feels good to be able to use my skills in this way!
KC: What’s something that has surprised you about starting your business?
MH: You know when you have an idea and it’s a good idea and you execute the idea but then it also turns into another idea that is actually more successful then the first idea? Ha! That’s what happened. I actually have surprised myself with how much I enjoy creating these boxes. I never really imagined they could or would be so successful.
KC: How has COVID affecting your teaching/business/work?
MH: When everything shut down I started teaching virtual classes for my community. It kept me going and honestly was such a special time. I really enjoy teaching virtually from home. It allows me to spend more time with my own kids, pick them up from school and make dinner. Since schools could not bring specialists into their physical building this year, which is what I did before, the boxes and virtual classes are a great alternative! I’m not certain that when the world returns to normal that I will go back to in person teaching as much.
KC: Are there any cliches or preconceptions about dance you try to correct in your teaching/work?
MH: “Princess ballet is the only kind of dance little kids like” oooof. Nope. I love a good theme, but there are many themes that aren’t princesses that can be built around movement. I have done a “bulldozer dance” recently and it’s been such a hit! Princess dancing is such a narrow way of thinking, I try to push my littles to think outside the box! (pun intended ;)
KC: Is there one thing you think the dance community needs more of, less of, or to get better at?
MH: I think 2020 has shown that the dance community is resilient. Almost every dancer and dance teacher I know has had to reinvent themselves in some way. I think we are really good at that. I think one thing we could get better at is knowing our worth. Charging actual money for what we are good at! That is something else COVID has made me realize. I am worth way more than I ask for. It’s something I have been working on too!
KC: What's next for you and your businesses? Do you have any exciting projects on the horizon?
MH: I’m trying to connect with as many dance schools and preschools I can! I want to get dance boxes into preschools who may not have resources to bring in a dance specialist. I would also love to connect the boxes to studio owners who are looking to educate their teachers in teaching little ones! My mission is to get dance into as many spaces and places as I can. :)
And now, just for funsies…
KC: Burritos or tacos?
MH: Tacos!
KC: Legwarmers or ballet skirts?
MH: Legwarmers!
KC: Disco balls or rainbows?
MH: Rainbows!
KC: Center Stage or Flashdance?
MH: Center Stage!
KC: One word to describe yourself?
MH: Thoughtful
I’d certainly describe Maria as thoughtful - how amazing and inspiring to start and grow a dance business in the middle of a pandemic! Make sure you stay in touch with Maria and Move & Bloom Box HERE.
Did you start or grow a dance business in 2020? If so, Maria and I would love to hear about it! Tell us in the comments below!