The store owned by Meridian couple Rebecca and Bryan Hopkins sells dancewear — did the name give that away? — as well as chocolates and other gifts.
Rebecca Hopkins had operated a dance studio before opening the store, which took a year of planning, she says.
The couple got a Small Business Administration loan through Zions Bank to help finance the store, which opened last summer.
Startup costs were about $50,000. She expects the business to turn a profit in two to three years.
A: I am a dancer and experienced business woman. I have a passion for dance. The area needed a dancewear store that is conveniently located and offers excellent customer service.
A: Financial challenges — (I) needed startup money. I researched and put together a really good business plan that was backed up with data.
A: To have everything a dancer could need or want. To have a large customer base. To have a great reputation for customer service and product knowledge. To have a successful business that helps our family pay for college and other necessities.
Audrey Dutton: 377-6448
