Nominated for Best Dance Classes, and...

Hip Circle Studio won!  We won "Best Dance Classes" in the Make it Better Best of 2013 contest.

But let me tell you a story...

I didn't know we were even nominated until I got a letter informing us of our win.  Honest!  Most of the time, these contests are won through lots of promotion on the business' part - sending emails out to all of their subscribers, posting about needed votes on Facebook and Twitter (and other social media outlets I haven't figured out yet), reminding customers to vote after every visit - you know the drill.

I didn't know we were in the running.

I didn't ask for a single vote.



When the email came, I was a bit skeptical.  I decided to play along, though, figuring it couldn't hurt.  I went to the magazine offices ready for a hard pitch to buy advertising and such, but what I got was a hot cup of coffee, some treats, and the opportunity to talk with the founder of the magazine about the studio.  It was lovely!  I also found out we didn't *fully* win.  Nope - we'd tied with two other dance classes:

Zumba and WERQ

Here's the thing...Zumba is an INTERNATIONAL sensation.  WERQ is a National brand.  Both entities license or certify instructors from all over to teach their classes.  Heck, I AM licensed to teach Zumba, and we offer WERQ at the studio, too.

How cool is it that my little studio, just 3 years old, with a single location, came out of the contest in a three way tie with these two giants!

So Awesome!

So I will be flying our Best of 2013 flag high this month (and beyond) and will float around for a while on this winner's high.

Thanks to everyone (whoever you are) for voting, and I really do hope coming to the studio helps make things better for you!