Ah, the pandemic—a magical time when many of us decided that our careers were less “dream jobs” and more “nightmares that just won’t go away.” In 2021, “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal interviewed individuals who were making dramatic shifts in their professional journeys, including the indomitable Juanita Gable, who had been tossed out of her gigs as a personal trainer and dance instructor like last week’s takeout. Instead of sulking, she decided to embark on the noble quest of returning to school to become an occupational therapist. Very heroic, if you ask me.
Fast forward five years (because what else was there to do?), and we reconnected with Gable, who had apparently realized that student loans were less like a mild inconvenience and more like a black hole for her finances. Rather than clutching textbooks in an academic embrace, she opted to dive back into the wild world of employment and, plot twist, two years ago, launched her own enterprise: 1st Dance Chicago. Who needs a stable job when you can have the thrill of entrepreneurship with a side of anxiety?
“It’s absolutely amazing,” Gable exclaimed—presumably while trying to ignore the existential dread bubbling beneath the surface. “It’s equally terrifying.” There’s nothing quite like the thrill of being your own boss, where the only thing scarier than a global pandemic is the prospect of balancing your own books.
In a delightful twist of economic fate, her sales skyrocketed 300% compared to the previous year. Yes, you heard that right. If only she had known that all it took was ignoring student loans and starting a dance studio to become an accidental millionaire—or at least, someone who can pay their bills without crying into their morning coffee.
“There is work every day, whether it’s through a side hustle or through my own studio,” she quipped. Clearly, Gable is living that entrepreneurial dream where every day is a hustle—and every moment is a chance to question your life choices. “But being able to call the shots? There is no better trade-off.” Talk about a bold life decision—who wouldn’t want to trade some financial stability for the joy of perpetual work?
In conclusion, if the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that if you can survive a global crisis, you can probably survive handling your own business—while simultaneously worrying about the next variant and the existential crisis that awaits. So, tip your hat to Juanita Gable, the modern version of a Jack-of-all-trades, who traded in her old dreams for something even more terrifying: her own business.
Click the media player above to get the full scoop on Gable’s fearless journey—or perhaps just listen to her narrate all the wrong turns along the way. Either way, don’t forget to check your student loan balance while you’re at it.
