Dancing in her Shoes: A CEO defining her Business and Herself through Transparency and Creativity with Burju Perez
07/26/21 • 55 min
Burju Perez is a mommy of two, wife, former professional Latin Dancer and CEO and lead designer, of the world renowned quality, customizable professional dance shoe/dance heels brand Burju Shoes, based out of Massachusetts. Burju was born in Istanbul Turkey prior to immigrating to the United States. As an adult, she began her professional career by studying International Business at Boston University, prior to landing a job in banking. Burju began Latin dancing in college, where she met her then dance partner, now husband, and launched herself into the world of Latin dancing for 15 years, which included instructing, competing and paid gigs around the world.
An artist at heart, Burju combined her love of creativity and dance when altering modern Latin dance shoes for her teammates with more fun colors, jewels, feathers and with an emphasis on comfort. Burju unknowingly unlocked a level of her passion and was building her business before she knew it; Burju Shoes was created in 2010.
Burju has collaborated with widely respected and talented names in the dance industry such as Kiira Harper, Nicole Kirkland and Janelle Ginestra. Burju heels have been worn by high profile music artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Normani, Christina Aguilera, Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Hadise, Meg the Stallion, for numerous concert tours and award shows such as MTV’s Video Music Awards. Most importantly, Burju’s shoes are worn by dancers of all ethnic/gender/non-binary backgrounds all over the globe.
Burju Shoes is a brand that celebrates diversity and aims at strengthening our communities by highlighting the individual's inner confidence through fashion.
In this episode, Burju and Ariana speak about the story of Burju Shoes and what it was that challenged Burju to stay true to her vision and mission as a brand and a person.
Burju Shoes Instagram: @burjushoes
Website: https://burjushoes.com
Episode Highlights:
About Burju
- A brand that doesn’t just profit - a brand that lifts and supports
- Burju: An Artist’s spirit
- Child of immigrant parents
- Challenging the structure
- Heels community, pole dance community (!!)
- Branding It + Pop Up Shops
- Her crossroads and full time Burju
BURJU SHOES: The Beginning
- Constant observation
- Shoe Talk
- Artist bucket list?
- Serving a need
- The importance of appropriate gear
BURJU’S DANCE
- “I have to maybe fail at this.”
- Full Transparency: Defining herself and her business
- Learn and grow as a business owner and human being
- Burju’s little nuggets of wisdom
BURJU’S GIFT
Burju Perez is a mommy of two, wife, former professional Latin Dancer and CEO and lead designer, of the world renowned quality, customizable professional dance shoe/dance heels brand Burju Shoes, based out of Massachusetts. Burju was born in Istanbul Turkey prior to immigrating to the United States. As an adult, she began her professional career by studying International Business at Boston University, prior to landing a job in banking. Burju began Latin dancing in college, where she met her then dance partner, now husband, and launched herself into the world of Latin dancing for 15 years, which included instructing, competing and paid gigs around the world.
An artist at heart, Burju combined her love of creativity and dance when altering modern Latin dance shoes for her teammates with more fun colors, jewels, feathers and with an emphasis on comfort. Burju unknowingly unlocked a level of her passion and was building her business before she knew it; Burju Shoes was created in 2010.
Burju has collaborated with widely respected and talented names in the dance industry such as Kiira Harper, Nicole Kirkland and Janelle Ginestra. Burju heels have been worn by high profile music artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Normani, Christina Aguilera, Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Hadise, Meg the Stallion, for numerous concert tours and award shows such as MTV’s Video Music Awards. Most importantly, Burju’s shoes are worn by dancers of all ethnic/gender/non-binary backgrounds all over the globe.
Burju Shoes is a brand that celebrates diversity and aims at strengthening our communities by highlighting the individual's inner confidence through fashion.
In this episode, Burju and Ariana speak about the story of Burju Shoes and what it was that challenged Burju to stay true to her vision and mission as a brand and a person.
Burju Shoes Instagram: @burjushoes
Website: https://burjushoes.com
Episode Highlights:
About Burju
- A brand that doesn’t just profit - a brand that lifts and supports
- Burju: An Artist’s spirit
- Child of immigrant parents
- Challenging the structure
- Heels community, pole dance community (!!)
- Branding It + Pop Up Shops
- Her crossroads and full time Burju
BURJU SHOES: The Beginning
- Constant observation
- Shoe Talk
- Artist bucket list?
- Serving a need
- The importance of appropriate gear
BURJU’S DANCE
- “I have to maybe fail at this.”
- Full Transparency: Defining herself and her business
- Learn and grow as a business owner and human being
- Burju’s little nuggets of wisdom
BURJU’S GIFT
Previous Episode
Dancing for her Dreams: Breaking Barriers as a Professional Dancer with Paula Ayotte
Paula Ayotte is a professional dancer, entertainer, former marine scientist, model, actress and inspirerer based out of Los Angeles. Paula Ayotte started her professional dance journey in the 1980s when she was in her 20s, working gigs such as the Disneyland Christmas Parade, Sesame Street Live U.S. tour, the Las Vegas Show “Splash at the Riviera” was a backup dancer for a Latina Artist in Mexico City and roller skating as an Apple on the Newhart show. She had a shift in careers in the 90s and turned to corporate consulting and only danced on the occasion for fun. A career in Hawaii later, it wasn't long after a life event changed her perspective on the need to pursue her dream of dancing.
Paula’s credits include Ariana Grande, I Can See Your Voice, Ellen, Kelly Clarkson and commercials for Beis Luggage, Piercing Pagoda, Sherwin Williams, and Etsy and modeling for many more.
In this episode, Ariana and Paula discuss Paula’s career, returning to college to pursue her dream job as a marine scientist, auditioning for her music videos and feeling her purpose is to inspire people on her journey to show that your dreams have no boundaries or age requirements. Your time is now.
Follow Paula and her journey on her Instagram: @paulaayotte
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Starting to dance in the 80s then heading into corporate consulting
- Returning to school in her 30s to pursue her next chapter: marine science
- Trying to fill her cup with the occasional classes - searching for more
- Losing a mentor and what that meant for her
- Landing a commercial with A list artist - the start of the dream
- Imposter syndrome - in a dance room full of 20 somethings
- Pursuing acting - understanding that she’s learning something new
- "Aging is not a bad thing, getting older is not a bad thing- "
- Reassurance from other creatives
- Vulnerability, unafraid and unashamed
- Analysis Paralysis gets you no where you want to go!
- Making a decision and using her gift to inspire - breaking barriers
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