“I’ve learned that when you’re passionate about what you have to offer and you have a good plan, you have to go for it, even if you don’t know if you’re 100% ready to launch a business,” says Ashley Baxter, owner of Movement Magic LLC, in Putnam, CT. “For me, when the right space became available, the financing I received from Pursuit made it all possible.”
Ashley secured two small business loans for her startup business – the Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund and SBA Microloan financing – with help from Pursuit. Here’s how she put the funds to work to create the studio and business of her dreams.
From classroom teacher to ballroom dancer
“I was an English teacher for nine years,” Ashley says, “and learning ballroom dance had been a goal for a long time. I started taking classes in 2016 and it was life-changing.” So much so, in fact, that she completed the Dance Education master’s program at the University of Northern Colorado in 2018. She offered lessons on the side while continuing to teach, but soon, it became apparent that her enthusiasm for ballroom dance was shared by people of all ages and abilities in her community.
“Discovering joy in movement became something that I needed to share with others, so I worked on a plan for an eventual business,” Ashley explains. “And although I was ready for a change from classroom teaching, I hadn’t envisioned it evolving into a full-time dance-studio owner and teacher yet – but the opportunity came around and I knew I had to try!”
That meant researching financing options, too.
Finding Pursuit leads to two startup loans
“I had talked to some banks, but I wasn’t thrilled with the interest rates and terms that they offered,” Ashley says. She learned about the Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund loan program through the Putnam Business Association – a local business development organization. The Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund provides low, fixed interest-rate small business loans in Connecticut from $25,000 up to $500,000 and is supported by the state of Connecticut.
Ashley filled out the preliminary application materials online and soon, she was in touch with Pursuit AVP and Business Development Officer Anthony Booth, Jr.
“Since I was new to small business loans, the process felt complex at first, but Anthony and Pursuit helped me through,” Ashley says. “I learned that it’s key to be top of everything and to stay in good communication. That made things go more smoothly.”
Anthony also helped Ashley secure a second loan – an SBA Microloan. This program, created by the U.S. Small Business Administration, provides loans from $10,000 to $50,000 for eligible small businesses, including startup and existing small businesses.
Ashley used the funds from both loans to renovate the space, which has been open since April, to achieve her aesthetic vision and improve its functionality, including installing a new dance floor and bringing the adjoining office up to par.
“What truly sets Ashley apart is her unstoppable, can-do spirit,” Anthony says about working with Ashley on her business. “Starting a business means facing a long and often overwhelming list of things to learn and tasks to tackle – but Ashley never let that intimidate her. Instead, she rose to the challenge, embraced every opportunity for growth, leaned into the support around her, and transformed determination into something remarkable.”
Movement Magic comes to life
Today, Ashley teaches private and group lessons and offers several popup classes. In addition, she makes the space available for special offerings, such as a recent line-dance class, and other arts-related activities.
Attracting new students happens primarily through word-of-mouth recommendations from past and current clients and industry-adjacent people, like wedding planners. Ashley says that there’s no “typical” student – they range from couples learning to dance in preparation for their weddings or young people on dates to seniors who want to stay active through dance.
“Helping people find joy through movement is transformative for them, for me, and for our community. I’ve seen people come here thinking they’d take one class or enjoy one night out – and then they’re hooked. As we continue to book new and ongoing students, I hope to add additional ballroom classes and instructors and other genres, too,” she says.
Pursuit helps dreams become small business success stories
Ashley says, “Movement Magic is a dream come true – I learned to push through concerns and find the help I need to succeed – and I couldn’t have done this without Pursuit!”
If you’re looking to launch a new business or expand, Pursuit can help you, too. With loans from $10,000 to $5.5 million, we have financing for working capital, equipment, the purchase or construction of commercial real estate, to refinance business debt, and more for businesses in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Nevada, Illinois, and Washington.
Contact us to learn more.