Meet Yalda Shahrestani | Studio Owner

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

Hi Yalda, what is the most important factor behind your success?
When I was in the early stages of developing my business, For Positive Movement (4PM), my vision was to build a space where dancers of all kids could express themselves freely in a flexible, empowering, and safe environment. I wanted to create a studio that not only fosters creativity, but also one that provides families confidence in knowing their children are part of a program built on trust and convenience.

Flexibility and freedom are two of the core values that 4PM brings to the table, and are something I did my best to emphasize as I was first building my business. Instead of creating another heavily regimented dance studio, with fixed schedules, and all these “mandatory”practices, I wanted to do something different. 4PM is not like any other studio in the sense that it grants full autonomy to the dancer and their families regarding how and when they want to train, and what choreographers they want to work with. At 4PM, we empower dancers to develop their own schedules, and train on their own terms, through our low-cost monthly membership. This way, families will just have to pay a training membership once a month, and will get access to unlimited classes, where their dancer can pick and choose what classes they want to take and
when – all on their own terms, with no penalty for not showing up to one. If a dancer wants to compete, we also have a low-cost monthly membership which includes competition training. And if these memberships are not for you, I have created the opportunity for dancers to pay a one-time rate as a “drop-in” student, where they can take whatever singular class they want without committing to a full membership.

Another aspect I wanted to implement into my studio was to hold weekly pop-up classes, where exclusive guest instructors make an appearance every Friday, and teach unforgettable dance combinations as well as technical skills to all our aspiring dancers. Once again, these pop-up classes are extremely flexible and never mandatory, as they are incorporated into the unlimited class monthly tuition, or can be enrolled in separately through a one-time rate. Whether it be through a pop-up class, a master class, or a regular training session, 4PM makes its best effort to uplift and empower dancers to be the best they can be using positive reinforcement. Once again “For Positive Movement” is quite literally what we preach – dancers being able to express themselves in an empowering and positive environment.

When building my business, another aspect I wanted to emphasize is safety. I wanted parents to feel secure in enrolling their children into a program that was safe. With that said, I have made it a necessity for all of our instructors to pass a background check, prior to becoming a part of staff. This background check consists of fingerprinting, where every instructor will be scanned as a method to reveal if they are affiliated with any previous criminal history. These extra steps in the employment process are just some of the ways that I grant ease to parents, ensuring whoever walks into my studio is free from a criminal record, and that the children will be in a safe and reliable environment.

All while creating For Positive Movement or 4PM, I wanted to be the founder of a place that promotes nothing short of flexibility and convenience, empowerment towards our dancers, and safety and reliability. Here at my studio, myself and all our instructors strive to help dancers of all backgrounds discover their full potential in an uplifting and inclusive environment.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets 4PM apart is our commitment to creating a space where dancers can express their art form and train in an environment free of judgment or favoritism. We pride ourselves on maintaining a positive, supportive atmosphere where every dancer feels valued. Unlike many traditional studios, 4PM allows dancers to train on their own time, without mandatory commitments or obligations to the studio.

The journey has not been easy. Along the way, we’ve faced challenges from other studios who did not agree with our untraditional approach and, at times, tried to stand in our way. Yet, through faith, prayer, and the support of good people around, we have been able to overcome those obstacles and continue moving forward with purpose.

What I am most proud of is that 4PM has remained true to its mission of always keeping the best interests of dancers and families at heart. At the end of the day, 4PM exists because of them, and their trust and support are the foundation of everything we do.

What I want the world to know about 4PM is that we are here to make dance a positive and uplifting experience. Our story is one of resilience, faith, and community — and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share that through the work we do every day.

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 came to Southern California for a week, I’d start in LA with breakfast at République, a stroll through Hollywood, and a hike to Griffith Observatory before dinner downtown at Bestia and rooftop drinks at Perch. The next day would be all about the coast, starting with Santa Monica and Venice, grabbing lunch at Gjusta, then heading up to Malibu for sunset and dinner at Nobu. We’d also make time for San Diego with a visit to La Jolla Cove, Balboa Park, and the Gaslamp Quarter for dinner and nightlife. Back in LA, we’d do brunch at The Ivy, shop in Beverly Hills or Melrose, and stop at the Getty or LACMA before dinner at Catch LA and a fun night out in Hollywood. If we had time, a full day at Disneyland would be a must, mixing rides, parades, and fireworks for the classic SoCal experience. Toward the end of the week, we’d take a quick trip to Palm Springs for poolside brunch, desert views, and cocktails. To wrap up, we’d hang out in Orange County with Sidecar Doughnuts in the morning, a beach day in Laguna or Newport, fresh seafood at Bear Flag, and sunset drinks overlooking the ocean.

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?
In the beginning, when 4PM was just a dream in my head, and throughout the journey until now, there have been a few people who have supported me in ways I will always be grateful for. I truly could not have done this without them.

The one person who stands out above all is my best friend Tiffany Erazo. Despite being a busy mom of two, taking care of her elderly parents, and working a full-time job, she has gone above and beyond for me. She has dedicated countless hours to helping with the studio administration, never once asking for anything in return. Her generosity, loyalty, and encouragement have been instrumental in bringing 4PM to life, and I will always be thankful for her unwavering support.

Website: https://www.4pmdance.com/

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