Today, The Platinum Mask channel would like to introduce Emi Matsushita for a conversation.
Hey! Please explain to the audience what you’re promoting.
My business! I am a mindset & business coach for freelance dancers. Dancers struggle with making a living out of their passion mostly because they are busy training in the technical aspects of their art and don’t get the resources they need to be the entrepreneurs they are. PLUS, society programs artists to think that we have to be on this “starving artist” path as a creator. In actuality, creators are superhuman and have valuable gifts to offer the world. I help dancers own their creativity and implement a business around it that makes them fulfilled and sustained.
What was the biggest obstacle in your journey and how did you overcome it?
The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was myself. The same thing that I am trying to nurture in my clients regarding mindset, business practices, taking ownership of your art and beyond had to be experienced and lived in my own life. And my journey of getting to build a business around what I am passionate about took a lot of me getting over my own limiting thoughts about what I could do. I am living proof that art is powerful and that you can make a biz and life around your passion.
What separates you from similar artist in the Dallas-Fort Worth area?
Honestly, there aren’t any other businesses/coaches that are doing what I do so that separates me automatically. But beyond that, the typical systems/organizations that do exist for dancers follow the standard route–the focus being training dancers to be technicians and not entrepreneurs. I am different in the work that I do because I am exclusively supporting dance artists as entrepreneurs. The journey as a business is a tricky one to navigate when you don’t have resources or support and that’s what I offer! Dance artists need to be taught that they are entrepreneurs. I ultimately want to create a new movement within the dance sector to give dancers holistic training in themselves as humans, artists, and entrepreneurs so they can TRULY use their art in this world, showing up fully to make a huge impact.
Is there anything you wished you would have known earlier in your journey?
I wish I believed in myself earlier. And believed that my dreams, visions, etc could come true.I could’ve been doing this work for so much longer and making bigger impacts– but everything in retrospect!
Do you have any favorite spots in the Dallas-Fort Worth area?
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano. I love nature– it grounds me. This spot is close to my home so it’s nice to find that nature sanctuary in the middle of the burbs.
Were there any major challenges due to the covid-19 pandemic? How did you overcome them?
YES. Personally, there were a lot of shifts during that time. My son was born in March 2020, right when COVID hit. So it was adjusting to having a newborn during a pandemic. Plus, I was freshly out of grad school with big hopes for continuing my momentum in a new city (New Orleans). BUT, my hubby lost his job during that time and we relocated to live with family in BFE North Dakota. It was a huge buzzkill for my creativity and drive. I just used that time to be kind to myself about what my expectations were now. There was a lot of internal healing work done during that time. I chose to focus on making the best of it even though it was hard. Eventually, it subsided and we moved to the Dallas area in AUG 2021–a fresh new start with new insights and grace.
What was your upbringing like and did you discover your passion early on?
My family environment growing up was marked with a lot of chaos, anger, and conflict. There was physical and verbal abuse between my parents. A blur of restraining orders, stays at battered women’s shelters and with family members, counselors, etc. It was an environment that taught me to be small and well-behaved. There was no room for anything else. So when I came across dance in middle school, it changed my life. Dance created a space for me to express myself and tap into who I was and desired to be. My journey with dance has been one of transformation and healing as I kept developing my own artistry.
Do you have a mentor and can you remember any key advice they have given you?
One of my biggest mentors in dance was my first middle school dance coach. I can’t remember anything she said in particular but her intense passion to bring about the best in all of her dancers was felt every day. She pushed me to go beyond my scared self and I am forever grateful for that invitation and the impact it had on me. I knew she believed in me and that meant the world to me.
Were your friends and family supportive of your mission?
My friends over the years have been very supportive of my developing work in the world. Living a transient life has allowed me to have beautiful friendships at key moments in my life and each phase gave me friends who fully supported my work. My family, I admit, is probably confused at what exactly I do because I am not the most forthcoming but I know they want the best for me and support me in finding my own happiness. But luckily, my husband has been so gracious and supportive of my journey as an artist and entrepreneur. I am blessed to have the support to pursue my dreams.
Any links you want to share for the viewers?
