Meet Ivan Pryntsev | Founder Pryntsev Ballet Academy

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

Hi Ivan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business came from two places: purpose and responsibility. I grew up in the world of ballet and saw how powerful the right training, mentorship, and discipline can be in shaping a young person’s life. When I came to the United States, I didn’t just want to teach ballet — I wanted to build an academy that gave students the opportunities I never had growing up.

Starting Pryntsev Ballet Academy was my way of creating a structured environment where young dancers could train in the Vaganova method, develop strong fundamentals, and learn the lifelong values of discipline, hard work, and accountability. I believed that if I built the right system and environment, students could reach their maximum potential regardless of where they came from.

The second part of my journey came later — when I realized that running a business is not just about surviving, but building something scalable and meaningful. That’s what led me to expand into technology and build InnoStudio.io. I saw firsthand how difficult it is for small business owners and creators to consistently produce content, tell their story, and grow. So I created a platform that solves the problems I personally struggled with.

In both cases, the thought process was the same:
I wanted to solve a real problem, build something with long-term impact, and create opportunities for others. Starting my own business wasn’t just a career choice — it was a mission to build something bigger than myself and to create a path that could help many people grow, express themselves, and reach their potential.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Pryntsev Ballet Academy was born from a very clear vision: to build a ballet school that gives every student a strong foundation, real opportunities, and the kind of disciplined training that can change the direction of their life. What sets us apart is our commitment to the Vaganova method and to the idea that ballet is not just movement — it’s character development, responsibility, and the pursuit of excellence.

I am most proud of the environment we’ve built. Our academy has helped students earn scholarships, train at world-renowned schools like the Royal Ballet School, Paris Opera Ballet School, Vaganova Academy programs, Bolshoi, Oklahoma City Ballet, and more. Seeing our dancers compete, perform, and grow not only as artists but as young people with strong values is the most rewarding part of what I do.

But none of it was easy. Building a business from the ground up — especially as an immigrant — came with financial challenges, competition, long nights, and moments of uncertainty. There were times when I had to teach, manage, clean, market, and run the entire studio myself. What helped me overcome those challenges was learning how to build systems, how to think like a business owner, and how to rely on discipline rather than motivation. Every setback taught me to be patient, to stay consistent, and to keep improving the structure behind the vision.

Along the way, I learned one of the most important lessons: talent alone doesn’t build a successful business — systems do. That realization inspired my second project, InnoStudio.io, which is focused on helping creators and small business owners produce content and build their brand more easily. It’s a tool I wish I had when I started.

What I want the world to know about my brand is simple:
My mission is to help young dancers — and eventually other business owners — reach their maximum potential. For my students, that means world-class training, discipline, and opportunities. For entrepreneurs, it means tools and systems that save them time and help them grow.

Everything I create is built around one belief:
With the right training, structure, and mindset, you can turn anything into reality — whether it’s a pirouette or a business.

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.
If my best friend was visiting, I would want them to experience the parts of Southern California that I love most — the mix of beautiful nature, good food, and relaxing places that make life here special.

I would start with Laguna Beach. A morning walk at Heisler Park or Thousand Steps Beach always sets the tone — peaceful, fresh air, and some of the best ocean views in the area. From there we’d grab coffee or breakfast at Zinc Café or Urth Caffé and just enjoy the calm coastal vibe.

During the week, I’d take them to explore a few different neighborhoods. Newport Beach for a sunset walk around Balboa Island, Irvine Spectrum for a fun evening and good food, and of course Laguna Hills, where my academy is — it’s always nice to show people the community I’ve built.

For food, I’d mix it up:
– Din Tai Fung for dumplings
– South Coast Plaza for great restaurants and shopping
– A sushi night somewhere in Irvine
– And a relaxed dinner near the beach in Laguna or Dana Point

If they like nature, we’d hike Top of the World or go for a walk around Crystal Cove. If they prefer something more city-like, a trip to LA — Beverly Hills, The Grove, or Santa Monica — always gives that classic California energy.

Overall, my itinerary would be simple: good views, good food, and a lot of time near the ocean. The best part of hosting someone here is showing them how many different experiences Southern California offers within just a short drive.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many people who played a role in my journey, and I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without them. First, I want to give a special shoutout to my family — my mom and sister — for supporting me from the very beginning. Their belief in me, even during the hardest moments when I first came to the United States, gave me the strength to keep going.

I also want to recognize all of my teachers and mentors from Ukraine who shaped my foundation as a dancer and as a person. They taught me discipline, respect for the craft, and the importance of always striving for excellence — lessons that became the core of Pryntsev Ballet Academy.

Another huge shoutout goes to my students and their families. They are the heartbeat of my academy. Their trust, dedication, and commitment inspire me every day. Watching my students grow, achieve, and push their limits is what keeps me motivated to build better systems and create more opportunities for them.

And I want to give a very special mention to my friend Susan. She was one of the people who helped me when I was just starting out — encouraging me, supporting my ideas, and believing in my vision long before it became real. Her help made a big difference in those early days.

Finally, I want to acknowledge the entrepreneurs, authors, and leaders whose work guided me through the business side of my journey — from systems and scalability to mindset and leadership. Their ideas helped me build not only an academy, but also the early stages of a platform that can impact many other business owners.

My success has truly been a team effort, and I’m grateful for every person who pushed me, inspired me, or believed in me along the way.

Website: https://pbadance.com

Instagram: instagram.com/pryntsev_ / https://www.instagram.com/pryntsevballet

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-pryntsev-25ab142b4/

Facebook: /www.facebook.com/pryntsevballet/

Youtube: http://youtube.com/@pryntsevballet

Image Credits
PBA Dance