Honor your thoughts. Even on a bad day or when you are feeling down, honor what you are going through. We are unable to control our thoughts but when we honor them, we can make sense of them and they become more manageable.
Kirsten Bloom Allen is a ballet dancer from San Diego. She serves as the founder and principal dancer for ARC Entertainment Company. She is also the creator of the Bands and Ballet movement which enhances rock concerts with the visual element of dance. Allen’s career included many notable performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC as well as performances in China. She has been described as a “beautiful dancer with a sensual style of movement that draws in her audience.” Learn more about Allen and Bands and Ballet at ARC Entertainment Company’s official website.
Where did the idea for ARC Entertainment come from?
The idea for ARC Entertainment Company came out of a love for both dance and rock music. I have been a professional ballerina for many years and have always loved ballet, but I also have a true love and passion for rock music! I decided to create ARC Entertainment Company to combine rock bands with dance and give ballet a new platform to shine.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
My typical day starts with getting my two young sons off to school and then heading straight to the ballet studio. I take a 2-hour ballet class Monday through Friday mornings and then will rehearse for about 2-4 hours after ballet class. After rehearsals, I grab a quick bite, and then head to pick up my kids from school and take them to their various after school activities. Then it’s homework, dinner, bath, and bedtime for the boys. Being a dancer, I am so physically active during the day that I am usually in bed by 10pm and totally worn out!
How do you bring ideas to life?
The love of what I do brings the ideas to life. I have loved ballet my entire life and chose this life path when I was 5. I never imagined being anything other than a ballerina. In creating ARC Entertainment Company and working with rock bands, I keep the focus on the quote “Dance is Music Made Visible.” I am enhancing the audience experience by adding the visual element of dance to rock concerts.
What’s one trend that excites you?
A trend that excites me is discovering new wines! I love discovering new wines and pairing them with different foods. Wine also helps relax my muscles after many hours of dancing each day.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
One habit that makes me more productive as an entrepreneur is the discipline of ballet. Every day I train my body to refine my technique as a dancer. The daily routine of training and rehearsing serves as a reminder of my dedication to the art form and my goal to make ballet and dance more accessible to mainstream audiences.
What advice would you give your younger self?
The advice I would give to my younger self is to listen to my body. I have danced through injuries that I should have been resting on. I never wanted to miss a rehearsal or a performance. I would advise my younger self to know it’s okay to be human and that sometimes the body needs a break.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Something that is true to me that perhaps others don’t follow is the power of attracting positivity with positivity. A positive outlook can really turn circumstances around! Believe.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
As an entrepreneur, my daily habit is to nurture my body and mind. I eat well, exercise by the nature of my work, but also allow myself time for inner reflection. Assessing how I am feeling and honoring those feelings allows me to be successful. When you aren’t fighting your inner thoughts, many things start aligning.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
One strategy that has grown ARC Entertainment Company tremendously is adding both male dancers Magnus Christoffersen and Tigran Sargsyan. The creative dynamics between the 3 of us is nothing short of magic. We are continually brainstorming to create innovative new projects that are driving ARC to new heights. We are the dream team.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
In the beginning, I was satisfied with ARC only opening for headliner bands. I wish I would have pushed further and actually integrated into the headliner band’s sets earlier. But, every step leads to the next and then the next and so on.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A business idea for your readers would be to bring back live entertainment in movie theaters. I would love to see a short comedy routine, dance piece, acting scene, or a singer live before the previews. It would be a cool way to add a live element.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best $100 I’ve spent recently is on an Instagram promotion. I was able to get over half a million views on our Sound of Silence post.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Everyone should read “I Know This Much is True” by Wally Lamb. This book gives us all the reminder that we are human. We are going to make mistakes and life will bring us ups and downs. This book brings levity and reverence to the human condition.
What is your favorite quote?
“Dance is Music Made Visible.”
-George Balanchine
Key Learnings:
- Work your body daily. Every day incorporate some form of exercise even if it’s as simple as taking the stairs instead of an escalator or elevator. Our bodies want to stay active. The mind-body connection activates with physical activity. Break a sweat!
- Honor your thoughts. Even on a bad day or when you are feeling down, honor what you are going through. We are unable to control our thoughts but when we honor them, we can make sense of them and they become more manageable. Each day we rotate through many feelings and we have to remember everyone else is too. Allow yourself to be human and that acceptance is transformative.
- Say no to “no.” There is always a way, a solution, and a path yet to be discovered. Any “no” is a redirection to something new. Each new pioneered path, no matter what field or occupation, has had to adapt and change with new information. A “no” can actually redirect you to tremendous success.
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Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.