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

Hi Jennifer, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
There is something really special about building something from scratch and seeing your vision come alive. I think we all search for a sense of purpose in this world and starting your own company is a way to create your own voice and purpose. It can be scary to go the non-traditional route, but very fulfilling in the end.

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.
I believe that being both on the creative side and business side of the entertainment industry sets me a part. As a professional dancer, I choreograph and dance for film, weddings, showcases, and competitions. I’m constantly training, learning new dance styles and trying to push my mind to think outside the box. Then as a Talent Manager, I have to flip to the business side of things and focus on numbers, negotiations, and strategic plans. I am constantly studying to expand my knowledge in publishing, law, marketing, etc. It can be really hard to be in front of a computer screen most of the day then switch to the creative side of your brain and choreograph a dance or perform in a show. But with this struggle you can also grow, and I believe it has only made me stronger in both. I am able to bring my artistic input to the careers of the talent I manage, and I’m able to use my knowledge of business in my personal dance career. I want people to know that you can have multiple passions and if you really want to, you will find a way to make them work together.

One thing that really helped me in both sides of my career is always working with people better than me. Whether it be a stronger dancer, craftier negotiator, more experienced manager, etc, I love being a small fish in a big sea rather than a big fish in a pond. It’s the only way you can grow as an artist, business professional or anything you want to be!

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.
LA is a beautiful place and I could choose so many spots to bring my best friend over the course of a week to have a blast! To name a few… I love the serenity of Zuma Beach in Malibu. It doesn’t have the hustle and bustle of Venice beach or the Santa Monica Pier. It’s calm, relaxing and beautiful. Maybe we would surf there or just enjoy a picnic on the sand! There are so many hikes I enjoy in LA but one of my favorite hikes I’ve ever been on is The Grotto Trail in Malibu. Wow it was beautiful there but beware I did come across a rattlesnake! With every breeze I could hear the animals chirping and rustling around and it really made me feel close to nature. It’s hard to find spots like that in LA. I also love the speakeasy clubs, specifically, No Vacancy. Of course this hasn’t been open during the pandemic, but before that it was one of my favorite spots to bring visitors. They do a 1920s style burlesque show on the weekends! Finally, I want to shoutout Soho Dance LA in Sherman Oaks, this ballroom dance studio has been my home since I moved to Los Angeles and it has some of the best ballroom, salsa and hip hop instructors. I think my BFF would enjoy taking a class or two there!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to dedicate my shoutout to my parents. I am extremely grateful to have grown up with parents who believed in and supported their children’s dreams. Parents always want the best for their kids and many would not think moving to LA to be a professional dancer is a safe career choice. My parents knew it was a risky endeavor but supported me nonetheless. They raised me to be strong and hardworking and I think that’s why they trusted me in this and knew I would overcome any obstacles in my way. They gave me the confidence to know that I could do this and I hope to do that one day for my kids.

Website: https://jenn4dancing.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/jenn_artiste?igshid=1eo08iv0ztaa7

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-berry-53aba547/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLB8VSxN0PyRuNJE5F8LUug

Image Credits
Lexi @focuslexi Pretend Photography @pretendpics

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.