Why Turning Five Feels So Special
Five years ago, Pointe Black started with one just one young ballerina. One class, one child and one thought; ‘how can I make ballet actually feel safe for us?’
Because for many of us, it didn’t. If you’re new to the revolution, ballet is an extremely exclusive and discriminatory industry. From the pink coloured tights, to the slicked back bun, most ballet traditions are rooted in Eurocentric ideals that have nothing to do with the art itself being - well - an art form.
This is why I started Pointe Black.
I wanted a space where everyBODY can be their authentic selves without micro-agressions or unhealthy comparisons. A place where you can have your culture celebrated, and learn about our rich history. I wanted to create a place that I know my younger self would have wanted.
So, why is five years a big deal?
Amongst so many, one statistic sticks out more than the rest:
Only 3% of business started by Black women survive five years of more
97% of businesses with Black female founders don’t make it this far. If I can be honest, those odds are absolutely insane but I can understand why. Whilst we have been pretty much self-funded for the most part of four years, I also had a full time whilst building our ballet community. Whilst it took literal blood, sweat and tears to grow the company, I had the ‘luxury’ of financial security. If something didn’t work, I would could just cover the shortfall with my own money.
However, being full time Pointe Black now five months, I can see where the problems lie. We have a small team of 3 doing all of our operations, I still teach all of the young ballerinas classes, and somehow manage to keep everything running smoothly. The entrepreneur life is not for the weak, to say the least!
And before you say, ‘we should just give them more money’…
Whilst it is easy and absolutely accurate to say that Black female founders need more money to make their business successful, those funds still need to directed properly. I am fortunate to start my new chapter of full-time entrepreneurship with the help of Somerset House shout out the Black Business Residency) and with Bud Leaders (thank you my fellow Beyond Barriers people), where so much knowledge and support is poured into me as well as the opportunity to receive funding, in-kind support, and future investment. The combination of the two is beautiful.
We need more than a few webinars, and training programmes. It’s the connection with a community of founders, knowing that there are other people in the same boat as you that you can confide in. Of course, I will lean towards community being the answer (haha!) but I truly believe that having the right people behind me is the reason we have made it to five years. (And of course, God’s unwavering grace).
This is why YOU are so important
Your support, your donations, sharing posts, talking to your neighbour… it all makes a huge difference. People bringing their ballerinas from Birmingham to Battersea just to come to a class, to experience the Pointe Black magic! You guys are honestly the best community I could ever ask for.
