Meet Melissa
”Owning a business is like having a child that never grows up.” Says Melissa Truelove, Founder & Director of The Dance Pointe. Melissa is a wife, mother of two, dancer, and small business owner - and we got to learn how she does it all! (Hint: it involves structure!)
Melissa Truelove is a Greenwich, CT native with a BFA in dance from the University of Massachusetts’ five college dance department. Having spent her youth under the direction of the Greenwich Ballet Workshop, she spent her summers dancing abroad, which led her to study, dance, earn a BFA, dance in NY with artists such as; Jin Win Yu, Janis Brenner and Leslie Partridge. She then moved to Germany as a young adult to dance professionally with the Peter Czerner Dance Company.
Melissa founded The Dance Pointe in 2009 with 17 students in a studio the size of her current office. Eleven years later and with over 350 students, The Dance Pointe is continuing to grow and is a clear reflection of Melissa’s passion and dedication to dance and its principles.
The DLT: What is your superpower?
Melissa Truelove: Oh boy! A small business owner and mother of two … what superpower do I NOT possess?
The DLT: What is the best piece of advice you have ever gotten?
Melissa Truelove: A dear friend once walked the Jakobsweg (Camino de Santiago) in Germany and returned with a shell inscribed with the word “PURPOSE”. As she shared her experience, I immediately adopted the mantra, “Every day should be sculpted around - Purpose.”
The DLT: How do you structure your days? How do you start your days? When does your work day end?
Melissa Truelove: Owning a business is like having a child that never grows up. It is always a focus of your energy, a topic of conversation, a source of stress as well as a deep source of joy and passion. As a mother of two, (three if you include The Dance Pointe), it is important that I give each of my children the attention that they need. Therefore, it is essential that I have an established daily routine because without it, I simply do not function!
In order to best strike a work/life balance, I focus on work during my hours at The Dance Pointe and when I am home, my full attention is on my family, barring any work emergencies, of course!
As a wife, mother and small business owner, I am responsible to many people. I believe in the importance of structure while also embracing the fluidity of my day. Therefore, a typical day looks something like this:
5:30 am: Journal. Everyday - without fail!
6:00 am: Household chores - clean, meal prep, laundry.
8:00 am: School + daycare drop-off.
8:30 am: Workout
10:00 am: Work - The Dance Pointe
8:00 pm: Night routine - family time + bedtime stories.
10:00 pm: Daily review + prepare for tomorrow.
10:30 pm: Fall asleep 2 pages into a book - if I’m lucky!
My home and work are within 1-mile of each other so in a pinch, when my worlds collide, my kids are able to hang out at the studio with the dancers and have dinner with me at The Dance Pointe during late night rehearsals. I count my lucky stars that I am able to incorporate my children in with my passion for dance!
The DLT: Who is your role model and why?
Melissa Truelove: This question does not have a simple answer. Throughout my life I have found inspiration from so many people. So I will answer with who my current role model is and that would be none other than the notorious RGB! She is Tour de Force and woman to be idolized with her perseverance being the most impressive to me.
The DLT: Now to get to the fun real estate questions! What is home to you? How can a home make you better at the work you do?
Melissa Truelove: Home for me is a place where everything has purpose and intention. I thrive creatively within an organized and uncluttered space. Therefore, home resembles a place that allows me to relax and unwind with my family while rejuvenating me to be productive in my many areas of life.
The DLT: What is your dream neighborhood and why?
Melissa Truelove: I am currently living in my dream neighborhood of Byram in Greenwich, CT. I love to walk this neighborhood with my kids and dog, chatting with neighbors along the way. Sometimes even a simple wave or two is enough to remind me that we are all somehow connected. These simple gestures help so much in a world where often we become so busy keeping up with our own lives that we begin to feel isolated. I am thankful to live in a place that allows me to slow down and be reminded of the importance of the many levels of relationships.
The DLT: What is your must-have for your dream apartment and why?
Melissa Truelove: I love that my current neighborhood is peaceful with thickly settled greenery to add to my serene home. A rooftop or private balcony is a must so that I can quickly escape to indulge in a cup of coffee from my Saeco coffee machine! Also high on my list are heated floors and a wet bar! Being within walking distance to a thriving food scene would also be very beneficial.
The DLT: What other countries have you lived in or wish to one day? And why?
Melissa Truelove: I was a member of the Peter Czerner Dance Company, located in southern Germany. It was the most beautiful experience and I share this European experience with my students by organizing summer dance intensives in the foothills of the Black Forest and northern Switzerland. This experience is created to not only grow my students as dancers but to establish them as Ambassadors. During my students travel experience, they perform and raise money for Lebenshilfe, a school for children with special needs.
The DLT: How can people keep up with your activities?
Melissa Truelove: The best place to see what I’m up to is on our Website and Instagram → @thedancepointct
This series is published by The Jane Advisory.
A long time women's rights activist, Danielle has created "Where She Lives" in order to give everyone access to the authentic journeys and struggles of entrepreneurs that identify as female. Home is often a sanctuary, and we have investigated what our fellow female entrepreneur needs to make their home a salvation from their daily work. We hope this blog both inspires you and brings up new ways of seeing the world and your own journey. To contact us to help with your own home process, or for any other reason, please reach out to us here.
