Karisma Jay knows the struggles of a small business owner in Brooklyn.
Today she stands in her spacious dance studio AbunDance Academy of the Arts in Crown Heights after working with IMPACCT Brooklyn.
In early 2017, however, Karisma found out the property owner of her old dance studio space wanted to increase her rent 100 percent.
“I was feeling like, ‘What are we going to do?’” Karisma remembers. “Am I going to lose my business? Is it all going to come crumbling down?”
Karisma opened her first studio space back in 2014 with 38 students. She soon tripled the number of students.
Within a short amount of time, her students were performing at the historic Kings Theatre in Flatbush and appearing in both local and national television spots.
Despite all the effort and perseverance, Karisma faced having to shut it all down in 2017.
Then she came to IMPACCT Brooklyn.
Karisma signed up for a series of free workshops at IMPACCT Brooklyn’s offices designed to give entrepreneurs a boost with the education and resources they need to open and maintain a successful business.
“I had to learn about leasing, lawyers, liability, my anticipated budget, and more,” Karisma says. “It really was a crash course in business.”
Director of Economic Development Dale Charles worked with Karisma to successfully transition out of her old lease and secure a new studio space on Sullivan Place.
“Karisma is incredibly committed not just to building her business but also to supporting our community,” Dale Charles says, adding that Karisma worked hard to attend every small business workshop at IMPACCT Brooklyn. “Our neighborhoods are stronger because of leaders like Karisma.”
Karisma, her staff, and her students now have a new studio to hone their craft. AbunDance officially reopened in March 2018.
“I signed a lease with options to renew for 15 years, ” Karisma says. “I’m happy. I feel blessed.”
AbunDance Academy of the Arts
90 Sullivan Place
Brooklyn, NY 11225
