Meet Aleah Durkee and Abel Layug | Dance Studio Owners

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aleah Durkee and Abel Layug of Facility Dance Alumni and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aleah and Abel, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind our success is our dance community. Our dance community is what keeps us going and driven to continue doing what we love to do. They show up for us, they are always ready to help and lend a hand if we ever need it, we listen to their feedback and suggestions, and we make sure they are actively involved in future projects and decision making for the business.

What should our readers know about your business?
We believe that what sets us apart from others is our environment. What we mean by that is we have a different vibe than other studios that you immediately feel when you walk through the door. We pride ourselves on welcoming everyone and making them feel like family. Sometimes being the new person in class can be intimidating to where you’ll stay in the back and try to blend in and not expect any of the regulars to talk to you. We will always talk to our new students and make them feel at home, encourage them in class, ask about who they are and get to know them on a personal level. We always have fun and joke around with each other as one big dance family. When you come back to dance with us we will remember you and ask you how life is going. We support our students not just with their dancing, but with their goals and dreams outside the studio as well. We also all spend time with each other outside the studio. We mean it when we say we are one big, crazy, fun, amazing family.

We got to where we are today business-wise through lots of hard work, dedication, and the refusal to ever give up. It hasn’t always been easy, but we have each other and our community to help us, guide us, and be a support system for us. The most important lesson we’ve learned along the way is to not worry what others are doing and to focus on our business, our goals and dreams, our success, and to keep moving forward and trust in ourselves.

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.
We have so many favorite places in San Diego! Here’s a list of some of our favorite places to have fun, hang out, and go out to eat and drink

– Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Sunset Cliffs
– Coronado and the Hotel Del
– Balboa Park
– Belmont Park
– Little Italy
– Gaslamp Quarter
– SeaWorld
– Legoland
– Old Town
– Convoy area
– North Park
– Music venues: House of Blues, Observatory North Park, etc.
– And of course taking a dance class with us Facility Dance Alumni

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Our amazing dance community!

Website: https://facilitydancealumni.godaddysites.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facilitydancealumni/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/facilitydancealumni

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyDyEerUAHJ0_NTzW0zW1IA

Other: TikTok – @facilitydancealumni

Image Credits
Leah Michelle Photography