- Dreaming & Doing, How We Dared to Start Our Own Businesses
As a couple, we never anticipated working for ourselves
- We weren’t taught to dream big growing up. Getting a good stable job, working for someone else was the standard
- Matt was the “brave” one going into the entertainment field
- Dynae was the sole employee for a mom and pop, and gained a lot of first hand knowledge on how to run a business. It gave her the confidence to know she could do it as well.
It honestly came out of necessity.
- Matt and Gareth started street performing as a creative outlet and to make some extra cash being newly married with small kids. Their current job was very draining.
- Matt tried out for Stomp in New York, and the experience gave them confidence that they had something truly unique. They quickly gained notice and fans, and realized they could make something of it.
During all this, the Great Recession had begun.
- Dynae had started photography as a side gig, also as a creative outlet after their first child was born.
- Then… she was laid off once the recession really took hold. She couldn’t find another professional job in her field.
- So, she started Dynae Levingston Photography, and began freelancing.
There were a few really hard years.
- Small businesses on average will take 3 years to become profitable.
- In that time, we also had our second daughter and a complicated delivery that had a large medical bill.
- With no one hiring, and no one willing to purchase our home, after 2 years of struggling, and advice from our financial advisors, we filed for bankruptcy, and foreclosed on our home.
Then Disney came knocking
- Buckets N Boards had started to take off, and they opened their full length stage show, and a full time travel contract with Disney Cruise Lines.
- Dynae’s photography business became more and more busy, and she was able to drop the freelancing.
How’d we know to keep going during all the struggles?
- We fully supported the other
- We believed in our dedication, hard work and talent.