Meet Aleksei Shchechkin | Founder and head coach of “Kids In The Beats” break dance school

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

Hi Aleksei, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I started my business, my thoughts were simple: I was doing what I loved. My passion for breakdancing began as a hobby, and it naturally grew into a business. In Russia, I built a successful school with 800 to 900 students, organized major championships, and became the president of the Breakdancing Federation. But when I first started dancing, I never imagined I would achieve all of this. Now, in Los Angeles, I’m starting from scratch with the ambition to create a network of dance schools across America. I’m confident that I will succeed.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Currently, I am a successful leader of a dance school in Russia, managing operations remotely while living in the United States. My school has 800 to 900 students depending on the season, and I am the president of the Breakdancing Federation. I’ve won numerous dance festivals and business awards, and my school operates smoothly with nearly 20 staff members and two branches in Russia.

Now, after living in Los Angeles for a year, I’m starting from scratch. Everything is different here, from understanding the behavior of people and children to adapting to new cultural perspectives. I’ve opened dance schools from the ground up about 4 or 5 times, experimenting in various cities across Russia. Each time, my school improved and grew stronger.

My goal now is to create a network of dance schools across the United States. While I’ve faced many challenges, such as finding the right venues, attracting students, and hiring staff, I approach these obstacles with the same mindset I apply to learning complex dance moves. Just as mastering a difficult dance element requires understanding the basics, extensive practice, and persistence, overcoming business challenges demands a similar approach. Breakdancing has not only made me a stronger dancer but has also strengthened my resolve in business.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

– Cafe Gratitude:
I love starting my day with a healthy breakfast here. They have great plant-based dishes and fresh juices.

– Griffith Observatory:
After breakfast, I enjoy hiking in Griffith Park and taking in the views from the observatory. The city views and Hollywood Sign are amazing.

– The Trails Cafe:
A great spot for a light lunch after a hike. Their wholesome options are perfect.
– The Getty Center:
I spend my afternoons here, exploring the art collections and wandering through the beautiful gardens. The views from the museum are fantastic.

– Venice Beach:
If there’s time, I like to visit Venice Beach. The boardwalk is lively, and there’s always something interesting to see.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This information is aimed at parents of children aged 4 and up, as well as older children, teenagers and even adults, including parents themselves. I want to convey to parents that breakdancing is a fantastic opportunity to develop their child physically, mentally and musically. It is a great way to develop creativity as breakdancing develops discipline, resilience, endurance, strength, concentration, memory, socialization and goal setting. It also allows for self-expression and release of energy, which is incredibly rewarding.

This information is also for people with hobbies or passions who haven’t yet found their calling. Your hobby or passion can become your business—something you enjoy doing while also earning a good income.

Website: https://kidsinthebeats.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kidsinthebeats

Image Credits
What is shown in the photo: I am presented as an organizer of festivals, concerts; business awards: medal, diploma (next to me is my partner Ilya); me as a dancer; students of my school and teachers; me as a coach; victories of my students.