Meet Natalie Casanova | Entrepreneur | Dancer, Choreographer, & Model

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

Hi Natalie, what do you want your legacy to be?
I want my legacy to be one that shows people the power of embracing versatility, confidence, and pursuing passions without limits. Through my actions, contributions, and the values I live by, I hope to inspire others to realize they don’t have to fit into a single box. You can be many things, and you don’t have to choose just one path. It’s all about being confident in who you are.

For me, it’s about breaking boundaries. I run a family business, Classic Coatings, where we manufacture DIY organic colors and coatings for concrete—our products are sold in places like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Amazon. But I also have a full-fledged career in professional dance and modeling, signed to a major agency.

One day, I’m training a room full of contractors on how to apply our products, and the next, I’m performing in front of 50,000 people at a stadium.
My friends always joke that I’m a businesswoman by day and shaking ass by night!

The message I want to leave is simple: don’t ever let anyone tell you who you should be. You don’t have to fit into one mold to be successful or fulfilled. I’ve found a way to thrive in two completely different worlds, and I believe everyone has the power to write their own story and live it on their terms.

I hope my journey encourages others to fearlessly pursue their dreams, no matter how unconventional they may seem. Because at the end of the day, YOU hold the pen to your own story, and you can write it however you want.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Achieving my dance career was definitely not easy. I faced rejection after rejection, heard “no” more times than I can count, and was often doubted by others. People told me I was crazy to chase this dream, but I never saw failure as an option. My vision boards were filled with images of huge stages. I became obsessed with my goals, and nothing else mattered. I trained relentlessly—working my 9-to-5 in the family business, then heading straight to dance classes, sometimes taking three classes a night. I saved every dollar I could to invest in dance training and programs. Through it all, I stayed true to myself and never compromised my integrity or my soul. Even when no one believed in me, I never stopped believing in me. I knew God had put this fire in my heart for a reason, and that belief fueled my journey.

I also want to say that I’m unapologetically confident. I’ve done a lot of self-work, and I come healed. In the most humble way, I really love myself. And I believe that energy radiates to others. If you don’t love yourself and believe in yourself, then who will? There’s no room for insecurities when it comes to chasing your dreams and achieving success. Confidence isn’t arrogance—it’s knowing your worth and owning it, without apology. And I think that’s something that has set me apart.

Sometimes, it’s crazy to think that I’ve worked with artists like Ginuwine, Omarion, Drake, and Chris Brown— plus modeled for brands like Skims, Target, Google, and Amazon—but hey, I did it. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come and how many dreams I’ve been able to turn into reality through hard work, persistence, and belief.

At just 23 years old, I was already touring the world and living my dream—something I’m incredibly grateful for. But I’ll be honest: there are plenty of dancers out there who are more technically trained than I am, who have never stepped foot on a stage or booked a tour. But I can tell you this—no one will out-perform me. My hunger, my focus, and my refusal to give up are what give me the edge. When I step on that stage, I give everything I have.

I want people to understand that dance isn’t just about hitting the steps or perfect choreography. It’s about making people feel you. When I watch dancers, I don’t just want to see them dance—I want to feel their energy, their passion, their soul in every movement.

I remember when I was 16, I snuck into Major Lazer’s block party concert (sorry Diplo!) and I watched two incredible dancers—Mela Murder and Lafayette Bless—performing on stage. They weren’t just dancing; they were feeling the music in such a powerful way that it ignited something in me. I couldn’t contain the fire they sparked inside me. In that moment, I knew that I wanted to make people feel what they made me feel through my own dance.

To me, it’s not about being the best technically—it’s about connecting with your audience on a deeper level, making them feel something powerful when you move. That’s what I want the world to know about me and my art: that my dance is a reflection of my soul, my journey, and my drive to inspire others to chase their dreams, no matter how many times they hear “no.”

One of my favorite ways to describe myself is by saying I have grit. Let me share the definition of this word, and I want you to truly absorb it and embody it. Grit (noun): a combination of perseverance, resilience, and determination when facing challenges or obstacles. It’s the mental strength to keep pushing keep going despite difficulties, setbacks, or failures. People with grit have a strong will to reach their long-term goals and aren’t easily discouraged by short-term struggles.

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.
I’m a sucker for good ambiance—honestly, you can put me anywhere with a great vibe, and I’m a happy little clam. My life is already so busy and fast-paced that when I do get time off, all I want to do is relax and recharge.

For some fun, I’d kick things off with live music. In true Natalie style, we’d hit up LA’s best spots to see some of the most amazing artists and creatives in the game perform. There’s really nothing better than live music.

For some fun in the sun, I’d definitely take them to Malibu. We’d hike in the morning, grab lunch at Paradise Cove Beach Café right on the water, then rent one of their daybeds on the sand, and listen to the waves crash—pure perfection.

Some of my all-time favorite restaurants are Crustacean in Beverly Hills. The garlic noodles with the whole crab on top are to die for. I’m also obsessed with sushi, so Katsuya is a must. Joey’s is another go-to spot for me. My order there is always the salmon sushi and the filet mignon plate (medium rare, duh!)

Now, I’m not much of a drinker, so I’m probably not the best person to ask about cocktail spots, but I can recommend plenty of other things.

Most of my friends are all about health, wellness, and spirituality, so we’d definitely book a hot yoga class, go to a sound bath, do some breathwork, and maybe even hit up an infrared sauna. And we’re definitely getting some IV drips. We like stuff like that.

I’m also a huge fan of staycations and love spending my weekends at nearby hotels to relax. So here are a few of my favorites: I’d book a room at the 1 Hotel, or spend the weekend at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. Another great option is the SLS, especially for their salsa nights on Wednesdays—it’s such a fun vibe (fun fact: The all-black driveway entrance at the SLS was created using my products)

I also love the rooftop pool at Petit Ermitage—super low-key, and you never know who you’ll run into there. I’ve had some wild stories from that spot. Oh, and the spa at Sunset Marquis, absolutely fire.

(P.S. Future boyfriend, if you’re reading this… now you know where to take me and how to make me happy. Hehehe… wink wink.)

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?
Oh, I absolutely have to shout out my parents. I’m incredibly lucky to have them as role models, and I never take it for granted. They’re the true embodiment of success without compromising their integrity or their hearts. They’ve shown me that it’s possible to achieve great things while doing the right thing and treating others with kindness. They’ve lived by their faith and always conducted their business with fairness, going the extra mile to help others along the way. It’s that blend of hard work, good values, and selflessness that I believe has brought them so many blessings.
On top of all of that, they’re just fun to be around—they really know how to enjoy life.

My dad was born in Cuba and came to the U.S. on one of the very last Freedom Flights that Fidel Castro allowed. My mom, originally from Israel, came to escape the violence and wars she lived through. Both of them came to this country seeking a better life, and they worked tirelessly to achieve the American Dream. They met while partying in Lake Havasu, Arizona, and the rest, as they say, is history. They’re still together to this day!

Since I was born, my parents have worked nonstop. My dad, in particular, is the definition of a provider. He worked 7 days a week, 365 days a year, waking up at 6 a.m. every day. He started several businesses, including a landscaping business and a palm tree nursery, where he literally turned our backyard into a nursery to sell palm trees. But when the 2007 recession hit, it almost wiped everything out. I’ll never forget the stress we went through, but my dad never gave up. He spent nights in the garage experimenting, mixing colors, and creating new products. That’s how Classic Coatings was born—the family brand that we still run today.

It’s a brand that has grown to work with names like Universal Studios, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Disneyland, Gucci, Tom Ford, Target, Hot Topic, WSS shoe stores, Alex Trebek, Dan Bilzerian, Gerard Piqué, Pawn Stars on the History Channel, Mobil Gas Stations, the City of Los Angeles, Cal Trans, and countless others— the list is truly endless.

My parents have always told me I can be anything I want in life. One thing my dad used to say to me all the time was, “Natalie, this is America. Your dreams are floating in the air, all you have to do is reach out and grab them, and they’re yours.”

I’ll never forget when I got my first job straight out of high school at a tanning salon. My mom basically told me, “You’re crazy! You don’t work for others! You work for yourself!” And, in true mom fashion, she made me quit the next day. That was the moment I knew I couldn’t settle for anything less than following my own path.

I definitely owe my confident, outgoing personality to my parents. I’m the fun, lively person I am today because of how I was raised. My parents are both from different cultural backgrounds, and growing up, everything in our household was always loud, vibrant, and full of energy. My family is huge on both sides, and we’re all about celebrating life. Music and dance were a huge part of my upbringing—so much so that my dad, with his contractor background, literally built a nightclub in our house.

In high school, weekends meant huge parties at our house. My parents were all about it—they encouraged me to invite my friends over, and my dad would DJ the parties and play the bongos, congas, and drums, while we danced all night. I’d hire some of the guys on the football team to be security at the door, and we’d have a “no entry” list for the girls who bullied me in school. Sometimes they’d still show up and try to get in. It was hilarious. One time, one party got so big that helicopters flew overhead to break it up. It felt like something straight out of the movie Project X. Kids were running into our palm tree nursery to hide from the cops.

Honestly, you can ask anyone I grew up with—they’ll have all sorts of stories about the parties I threw. I guarantee everyone has their own unforgettable, fun memory involving my parents. What a time it was.

But beyond the parties, my parents taught me something really valuable: life is meant to be enjoyed. They always made sure we celebrated life in a big way, and I’m so grateful for that lesson. Life doesn’t have to be miserable—it should be fun. That mindset has stuck with me, and I’m thankful every day for the way they shaped my outlook on life.

So yeah, I owe so much of who I am today to my parents. They taught me to dream big, work hard, play hard, and never settle. They’re the real go-getters, and I’m grateful every single day for their love, guidance, and support.

Website: https://ClassicCoatingsSystems.com

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