Meet Mathangi Vinoth

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mathangi Vinoth and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mathangi, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by the process of running a business—the risks, challenges, and rewards have always excited me. While I love the thrill, I also understand the immense pressure and responsibility that come with being an entrepreneur. However, the freedom that comes with owning your own business—the ability to make decisions that align with your values, manage your time, and control your financial destiny—makes it all worthwhile. As an entrepreneur, you can choose the kind of work you take on and set boundaries that fit your vision and goals. “My decision to start an Indian dance studio was fueled by my lifelong passion for dance. Having started dancing at the age of four and choreographing and teaching by 11, dance has always been an integral part of my life. I performed professionally in over 900+ dance shows in India, alongside numerous Indian celebrities. When I moved to Michigan in 2016, I wanted to fill a gap I noticed in the local dance community—a structured, year-round syllabus for Indian/Bollywood dance. At that time, many people in the Indian community learned dance solely for performing at events, but I saw the potential for a comprehensive dance education that could be both artistic and developmental. This vision led me to pioneer a new model where dance is taught as an ongoing skill, focusing on technique, discipline, and performance.”
I combined my love for dance, my business acumen, and my MBA to create a dance school with a structured curriculum. At my studio, we don’t just teach dance—we teach discipline, values, and life skills that contribute to the character development of our students, helping them become better citizens of the world. I firmly believe everyone should have a purpose in life, and my purpose is to teach the art of dance while shaping my students into well-rounded individuals. The best part? I get to make a living doing what I love.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What began as a passion project in a small 100 sq. ft. apartment with just four students has now blossomed into a 6,000 sq. ft. studio, home to over 200+ students across two Michigan locations. From teaching in the basement of an apartment building and renting spaces by the hour, we’ve grown into a fully-owned studio space. It has been a journey filled with challenges and rewards. Our Indian/Bollywood dance studio, located in Troy and Novi Michigan, serves students aged 4 to 60, offering much more than just dance instruction—it’s a space for cultivating life skills. For our high school students, we provide hands-on experience in teaching, management, and social media, giving them opportunities to develop leadership and professional skills. We’ve already seen five of our students go on to captain their school and college dance teams, embodying our mission to shape not just dancers, but future leaders who can contribute to society. Running a business, especially as pioneers of a year-round, syllabus-based Indian/Bollywood dance school, has come with its share of challenges. Convincing families of the long-term value of structured dance education was initially difficult, as many were accustomed to learning dance solely for cultural events. However, once they saw the lasting benefits—improved technique, discipline, and growth—our studio thrived. The pandemic tested us further, disrupting everything we’d built. But we adapted swiftly, transitioning to online classes to ensure our students’ progress never halted. Despite the distance, our students continued to flourish, with over 100 student videos sent for review in from-home practices. These moments of resilience have only strengthened our bond with our students and their families.
Our dance school became the first in Michigan to introduce this comprehensive, year-round model of Indian/Bollywood dance education. We’re also known for producing “MAYA,” the largest Bollywood dance show in the Great Lakes region. Last year, this event featured 200 dancers, ranging in age from six to adult, and drew a crowd of over 700 attendees. This event is a celebration of Bollywood/Indian dance, a dance form that blends traditional Indian styles with modern, non-traditional influences. Bollywood/ Indian forms of dance is dynamic, filled with energy, emotion, and storytelling—it’s a fusion of classical, folk, and contemporary moves that express joy and life in its fullest form. Unlike traditional dance, which may follow strict patterns, Bollywood allows for creative freedom and innovation. Our commitment to this form goes beyond performance; we focus on delivering value not only in dance skills but also in leadership, life skills, and personal growth. Many of our students, having learned the importance of discipline and hard work, are now leading their own high school and college dance teams, embodying the holistic development we strive to nurture.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would start by taking my friends to explore Downtown Detroit. We’d kick off the day with a hearty brunch at Dime Store, known for its creative and delicious twists on classic breakfast dishes. Afterward, we’d head to the Detroit Institute of Arts to take in its world-class art collections, immersing ourselves in the beauty of the museum. From there, we’d continue our exploration with a visit to the Motown Museum, where we’d dive into the rich history of Detroit’s iconic music scene.

A trip to Mackinac Island would also be on the itinerary. We’d begin our day by biking around the island, soaking in the stunning views of Lake Huron and wandering through the quaint local shops. For lunch, we’d stop at the famous Grand Hotel, where their afternoon tea experience is legendary and not to be missed.

Next, we’d take a drive to Traverse City to explore the breathtaking beauty of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Whether hiking up the dunes or simply enjoying the view from the top, the serene landscape would make for a perfect day. Later, we’d head to the Old Mission Peninsula for a wine tour, sampling some of Michigan’s finest wines while taking in the picturesque vineyard views.

For a day of relaxation, we’d visit Kensington Park. We’d spend time by the lake, grilling food, enjoying some local beers, and unwinding amidst the scenic surroundings.

Another fun day would be spent at the Detroit Zoo, followed by a trip to explore the boutique shops, art galleries, and charming cafes in Royal Oak and Birmingham. We’d top off the day with lunch at Townhouse Birmingham, an upscale restaurant known for its delicious, seasonal American cuisine

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my heartfelt shoutout to my incredible family—my husband Vinoth, and our two wonderful children, Yohaan (12 years) and Thea (9 years). There’s a popular saying, “Behind every successful man, there’s a woman,” but I truly believe that behind every successful woman, there’s a supportive family. As a woman who balances many roles, being a wife and mother are the two most significant ones in my life. Running a business not only demands a huge amount of time but also mental energy and resilience. It can be challenging to juggle everything, but none of it would be possible without the unwavering support of my husband and the sacrifices my children make for my dreams to come true. As a dance teacher and entrepreneur, my work often takes me away during evenings and weekends, which means I miss out on many of my kids’ school or extracurricular activities. Yet, instead of feeling disappointed, my kids encourage me to pursue my dreams, always cheering me on. They simply say, “Mom, you inspire us—go be you, go do you!”
My biggest pillar of strength is my husband—my sounding board, my safe space, my strongest supporter. He has stood by me throughout this journey, as my friend, my protector, and my constant cheerleader. I also want to express deep gratitude to my parents for instilling in me the best values and principles, and to my in-laws for their unwavering support. Finally, I’d like to extend a special mention to my friends, who are truly my chosen family. I’m extremely grateful for this blessed support system that I am fortunate to have.

Website: https://mathangidancecompany.wixsite.com/website

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