When Molly Myers stood in front of her high school civics class and presented a business plan for a future dance studio, she wasn’t just completing an assignment—she was laying the foundation for her life’s work.

“I knew after high school I wanted to continue dancing,” she says. “This felt like the only way to keep dancing and be successful.”

After graduating from Zachary High, she trained and taught in both New Orleans and New York, but never worked full time for someone else. Instead, she relied on her education, mentorship, and hands-on experience to guide her.

“I grew up dancing at a studio in New Orleans, and my dance teacher there played a huge role in helping me,” she says. “She helped with training, certifications, business plans—everything.”

Molly Myers Dance Academy (MMDA) opened its doors in August 2009. The studio has grown into a fixture of the Zachary community, built by a true commitment to serving others.

From the start, Molly built MMDA with a different mindset than what today’s side-hustle culture often promotes. There were no outside gurus pushing growth and scale at all costs, no endgame of selling the business and retiring early. Instead, her approach has always been grounded in Scripture and shaped by a genuine love for dance and for pouring into the lives of children.

“This was never just about starting a business,” she says. “Dance is my passion, teaching children is my passion—and through MMDA, I’m able to do both.”

Building Something That Lasts

Like many small business owners, the early years came with challenges. “Taxes caught me off guard the most,” she said. “That was something I had to learn quickly.”

From the beginning, Molly’s definition of success has been practical: cover the overhead, and have fun doing it. In those early days, it took 50 to 75 students just to pay the bills and keep the studio running. But when MMDA eventually outgrew its space, Molly’s mindset began to shift from simply sustaining the business to building something more permanent. 

“I knew it was time to buy when I realized how much I was paying in rent for a space that would never be ours,” she said. “If I wanted to continue building MMDA for the long term, investing in property was necessary.”

Still, she made sure MMDA had adequate cash flow to support that investment, rather than overleveraging in the early days and hoping enrollment would grow to support the vision.

The First Hire

As with most company cultures, finding the right fit hasn’t always been easy. For Molly, the challenge goes beyond hiring for skill—she looks for people who genuinely support the studio’s mission and care deeply about the dancers.

That means building a team with a shared growth mindset. “Not just growth in numbers, but in quality and in how they serve the community,” Molly says. In an industry that’s constantly evolving, Molly emphasizes the importance of staying open to learning—something she and her team are committed to every day.

“In the first two years, I had two friends helping me,” she said. “By year three, I hired Lori Hart—who I would say was my first real employee.” That hire bridged the gap between being self-employed, and becoming a business owner.

“I knew I needed help because we were growing quickly, and she was ready to step in,” Molly said. Lori worked alongside Molly to build MMDA for the next 12 years—not just in terms of growth, but in shaping the culture and setting the tone for the studio.

“Lori was experienced, energetic, and shared my passion. She’s the hardest worker I’ve ever known,” Molly says. They shared a deep faith, and a love for dance, their students, and the community. Lori passed away in 2022, and her loss was deeply felt by the MMDA family and the entire Zachary community.

Advice for Future Entrepreneurs

For young women looking to start a business, especially without a traditional degree, Molly’s advice is simple but powerful.

“Make sure there is a high demand for what you’re offering, and then go for it,” she said. “Seek God in it, trust Him, remain humble, and stay teachable.”

After 17 years, Molly Myers Dance Academy and the hundreds of young dancers who have passed through its doors are evidence of what can happen when a business is built not just to succeed, but to serve.

Molly Myers Dance Academy - 1495 Church St, Zachary, LA

Molly Myers Dance Academy, L.L.C was founded in August 2009 by Molly Myers Sartin. Starting the first year with only 70 students, the dance school quickly grew to over 250 students by Aug... Read More »