Cheryl Pozzuoli
Q: Where did you attend college
A: Bainbridge State College
Q: Did you go to your dream college?
A: No. I didn’t really have a dream college.
Q: Do you think your college education was necessary for your success in business?
A: No
Q: Who or what led you to your current career path?
A: A passion for being in the studio. Fostered by my studio owner and teacher growing up
Q: Was your current career your first choice, or did you switch?
A: First choice! Always wanted to open my own studio. As a child I assumed my dad would build it. He had a construction company. He passed when I was a senior in high school.
Q: Was mentorship significant to your business journey?
A: No but I wanted to be like my studio owner and teacher. They treated everyone like their own family.
Q: How do you approach networking and the building of professional relationships?
A: Authenticity, respect and genuine interest and care for their development and growth. I like to get to know them on a personal level so you can better communicate and identity what makes them happy and what makes them want to continue a relationship. We spend a lot of time together in my profession and being creative takes good energy.
Q: What is the ratio of males to females in your business?
A: 10:1
Q: Have you observed or been affected by a wage gap between men and women in your field?
A: Not in my field
Q: How have you asserted yourself as a powerful woman in your field?
A: Not so sure
Q: What has been your biggest tool in gaining credibility in the business world?
A: Consistency and authenticity.
Q: How does social media, if at all, impact your business?
A: I wish I worked more on our social media but there is little time to devote to it for me. I'm sure it helps gain popularity with other dancers and studios. It creates an inside look to what we do. I’m also sure it would bring in more customers if we needed them. But I’m not so sure it impacts my business.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
A: To be more concerned with character than reputation.
Q: Lastly, what would be the number one piece of advice you would give to your high school self?
A: Oh boy. So much. Get a business degree! Cultivate meaningful relationships. Don’t settle. You are capable of more.
