Meet KaShonna Conner | Founder/Owner of DivaDance Irving Grapevine and The Prima Donna Group of brands

We had the good fortune of connecting with KaShonna Conner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi KaShonna, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Great question! I’m a tech consultant in my day job and for years I’ve been so used to balancing multiple projects and clients for 6-12 month contract terms. However being a franchise owner is so much more than this. I embarked on the experience to change lives through dance and as a means to an end of my corporate struggle. However, I had no idea of how much this experience would change me instead! Over the last year, I’ve cut down on the corporate work more and more. It was scary at first to be in the “implementation” part of the journey that I’ve set on. However, at this rate, in the next year and a half,  I plan to be fully hands on in my business and extending into additional markets.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My arts career began at the age of 7, when I saw a televised Nutcracker production. I was instantly swept into the world of classical ballet and the discipline and structure that it provided. Being the oldest girl of the bunch, I thrive in a world of structure with a twist of competition. I continued a career of dance throughout high school and college. When my sweet son came along, motherhood buried the dream from my heart and mind for a good stint. Through the struggles of an irreparable marriage, I found myself handcuffed to a corporate career (that I never wanted) in order to provide financially for myself and my son. I still dreamed of one day of owning my own studio and allowing dance to be my ministry. However, the Pandemic pushed me back into remembering who I was and what I was created for like never before. My story isn’t one of a consistent linear process that got me from Point A to Point B. There are many twists and turns along the path that I couldn’t have imagined myself. However, I have lived enough life (I hear my grandma’s voice as I say that) that I now understand what “enjoy the journey” truly means.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ooh I almost hate to give away my hidden gems! I’m “outdoorsy” so if you’re hanging with me for a week, you’re bound to end up at a football game or at the Star in Frisco for a Cowboys experience. Then we’re on to margaritas at the “Hula Hut” in Little Elm. We must, must, must to go to the Lake at Grapevine at some point. Hopefully it’s a Friday night during the summer where there’s a fireworks show. I can’t let you leave the DFW without joining me for some Creole and Cajun food at Bayou Cat in Arlington (best crawfish and turkey necks in Arlington) or to Grandscape at the Colony for whatever may be going on that day. There’s always something going on there. I have a few spots near Deep Ellum and downtown Dallas that I like to frequent, but we have to be good friends for me to let you know!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to thank my sister for her support as not only my Business Manager but also my “pseudo-therapist” throughout this journey. Thank you boo for caring about my dreams the same way that I do! Most importantly, I’d like to thank my partner who has constantly reminded me that he will “not let me give up.” I appreciate you so much not only for your business advice, but for your ear and a shoulder to cry on for days that I don’t believe in myself as much as you do.

Website: https://divadancecompany.com/locations/irving-grapevine-texas/

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