Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Murdock.
Hi Ashley , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had a passion for dance and movement and grew-up competing in dance.
Being from the Bay Area (California) I spent much of my career working at high tech companies in the people side of the house (HR). I had lovely experiences and travels; however, and as my family and I made the amazing move to Oregon, I decided it was time to get back to those dancing roots.
My daughter had the pleasure of dancing at Tutu School in Willow Glen and we fell in love with it! When an opportunity to open schools in Oregon and own my own business I jumped (or twirled) at it!
My first studio opened in Lake Oswego straight across from the beautiful Lake Bay with the second studio just recently opening in Beaverton across from the Beaverton Town Center.
I’ve been very lucky to have traveled quite a bit and experience first hand the things that connect people. From my experience, the main core is love, food and DANCE!
At Tutu School we believe that every child should know what it feels like to dance.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Owning your own business will always come with big wins and some bumps.
You have the best laid plans and most go well, however there are challenges. Luckily I have a great team of people helping me along the way. A great support team, amazing partner in my husband and you have to have the “can do” attitude. I attribute my experience in the corporate world to help with this. When challenging things arise, and they will, go back to your north star. Lean in to why you’re doing what you are doing and double down.
I have been very pleased to have great instructors, families and of course, our north star… the students.
The biggest challenge at the beginning was working out seasonality of the business and making sure to account for that throughout the year. However, once you have that in place you find a steadiness. Every market is different so ensuring diligence on your market as it applies to your business is important.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Most of my career has been working with tech companies on the People side of the house (formally know as HR). Google, FireEye, DocuSign; etc. I enjoyed the work and have met phenomenal people, made beautiful friends and had great experiences.
Most of the classes are taught by other instructors, however, I do teach one day a week at one of the studios and I love it.
I am most proud of my ability to make connections with people. I am inherently curious and ask a ton of questions (which might annoy some people). It’s fun, interesting and keeps me engaged.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
This is a great question for my brother!
I’ve always been extroverted and academic. Growing up in school I always had great relationships with my teachers. One quality that stood out is that I was able to speak in public without getting nervous and I do think that had helped me.
I have always been interested in creative things. I remember it was in 1997 (ish) and when the dot com bubble was bursting and my friends and I were losing our dance studio space to a start-up company in San Francisco and we danced all night in the streets to Lauren Hill. It was epic.
I was lucky to grow-up in the Bay Area in a very open community. One day you’re in the Castro eating Cuban food at Cha Cha Cha and the next you’re in San Leandro eating at La Pinata. You never you but you know it will be fun!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tutuschool.com/lakeoswego/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tutuschoollakeo/
