We had the good fortune of connecting with Derek Pratt and Anna DOnofrio and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Derek Pratt and Anna DOnofrio, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk taking is a must for any level of success, growth or authentic fulfillment in not only business, but in life. I have personally lived the most fulfilling successful life by being willing to take risks and walking my own path. Risk taking is a necessary step in growth and expansion. Nothing ventured. Nothing gained. Just as a baby has to risk standing on two legs and falling in order to walk and run in the future.

I live my life fearlessly taking on risks in the name of adventure and pursuit of happiness. i believe that taking risks comes with an abundant mindset that believes that acting on your instinct and inner voice wull always produce value. This mindset has given me freedom to leave comfortable jobs and relationships only to find more fantastic jobs and better amazing new relationships and connections. I once sold everything i had in los angeles out of blue and moved to Hawaii within a month. Eventhough i had no job, or car, and only a temporary place to live, i quickly obtained a great job, a car, and an amazing permanent resisence in less than a week.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My husband and I started our Dance Academy in 2011 in North Hollywood. We went mobile in 2014 offering programs, classes and master workshops in dance and musical theater. What I love most about our company is how we fused together his long 20 year career in mental health along with my dance and theater background to create two very unique programs.

LEE is an Interdisciplinary collaboration providing exceptional arts programming to incarcerated youth and Children in Foster Care in the state of California and the United Kingdom. We partner with schools, government agencies, nonprofits, and recovery treatment centers, to give youth a safe place to belong surrounded by support and encouragement. Two programs we are very proud of are Holistic Movement Therapy (HMT) and Puppet’s are my teachers! We had our challenges but we kept moving and focused on what we had set out to do. Our goal is to provide children of all ages and abilities education in the arts. Our daughter Appy, has been such an inspiration with our company. We homeschool and manage her successful acting career. Appy is amazing at balancing a very busy work schedule, school, along with being a dance and martial arts student. We believe in the power of play and that children learn best when they are playing. So our family unit definitely prioritizes play as much as we do our work. Appy was also our inspiration to our Kids management department,

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A few places my family and I love.

Breakfast at the Coffee Company, then a dip in the ocean at Toes Beach in Playa Del Rey, followed by a late, but delicious lunch at Playa Provisions. Drinks and Dinner at Pacos in Marina Del Rey.

Coffee at Hilltop Coffee in view Park. Hike and nature walk at Kenneth Hahn Park. Mwke sure to see the Japanese Garden.
Cross the bridge and visit the Nature Center. Lunch at Simply Wholesome. Followed by a stroll through culturally rich shops of Leimert Park. Drinks and dinner at La Louisiane restaurant.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Definitely my friend Angela Castakista. Ange has been a loyal and loving friend to our family.

Website: www.lightningentertainment.org

Instagram: Lightningeducation

Facebook: Lightning

Image Credits
Anna DOnofrio

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