Member Spotlight: Wes Rogers

We are thrilled to get to know Wes Rogers, owner of Tacoma Dance Club.

Tell us how you/the venture got started. What compelled you to create/join it?

I was introduced to ballroom dancing when I was overseas while serving in the Navy with the intention of forming connections with other people. I lacked confidence in myself and my dancing abilities but decided to take a risk and put myself out there. It was one of the best decisions I ever made as I realized the passion I had for dance, which evolved into a passion for teaching others. Dance has grown my confidence in myself and I have dedicated my profession to helping others find this fulfillment through taking lessons, social dances, and dance competitions.

Who are your customers/community and how do they find you? What lessons have you learned building a customer base/community?

Dancing is for anyone and everyone, from the first-time dancer who thinks they have two left feet to the novice dancer who wants to continue to grow their skill set. Dancing brings people of all skill levels, backgrounds, and walks of life together to build community around joy and laughter. I value making the dancing experience accessible to everyone as it adds value to a person's physical and social self. Typically, my clients have been adults who either are referred by a friend or online. The biggest lesson I have learned about building a community in this industry is to focus on meeting the client where they are at. I want all of my clients to feel seen, to learn, and to have fun.

Tell us about one of the biggest obstacles you have faced in your work and how you overcame it:

One of the biggest obstacles I have faced is a common obstacle for all of us; the pandemic. As a small business owner who could not safely provide lessons, I had to figure out how to make things work financially without being able to work, and also face the emotional toll of not doing what brings me joy. I could not have overcome this challenging time without the support from my amazing friends and clients who are like family to me. I am blessed to have a strong community surrounding me which helped me to grow personally in my perseverance and resiliency.

Where do you see the work/venture five years from now?

While I am trained in all partner dance styles, I hold a special place in my heart for Argentine Tango and have been working with a Master Coach in order to continue my personal growth for competitions and show dance numbers. I also have a desire to travel as much as I can and experience different cultures and meet new people. In five years, I hope to still be providing the same individual and groups lessons that I do now, while being able to travel to different competitions and performances with my students who share this goal. One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is the weekly social dance night which I plan on continuing to grow and provide for my clients.

What book has inspired vou the most?

I have been an avid reader since I learned to read as a child and found myself drawn to self-development books. I enjoy books that focus on growth, relationships, self-improvement, and business advice topics. I realized I wanted to be a business owner as a teenager after reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. This last year I was the most inspired by Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz which talks about the mind/body connection.

What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?

“Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life” could not be more appropriate for me. I spend a lot of time dancing for fun outside of my business hours because of the joy it brings me and the connections I experience with other people. Through dance, I have met my closest friends who also started a Dungeons and Dragons group, which has become an interesting hobby. Health and nutrition in a holistic way, family and friends, and personal growth are my core values and I spend most of my non-work time.”

What do you love about Tacoma?

The community is unlike any other I have ever experienced and I have lived in multiple cities around the world throughout my life. There is a positivity and a bond between community members that enables small business owners to be supported and grow while working to meet the needs of the community. The people are really what make Tacoma the amazing environment that it is. Also, I am partial to living near water and I love being able to look out onto the Puget Sound as I could not ask for a better view when looking out from the dance studio.

What made you choose Union Club Tacoma? What has your experience been like and who would vou recommend it for?

went to another event at the Union Club and fell in love with the historic building and the environment. It was perfect timing as people were starting to look for ways to connect with others in person again. The people who work there and rent the space are fantastic to work around while the building itself is intriguing, clean, and has a view of the Puget Sound. One of the great things about the Union Club is that is provides various needs for different community members such as group spaces, private rooms, and even events such as weddings. I would recommend the Union Club to anyone looking to rent space for their business or event that wants a clean, friendly, welcoming space.

Where can people go to support your business/organization or buy your product? (website, store, email, phone#?)

You can find me at www.TacomaDanceclub.com or text me at (509) 885-6983