Julia Sokol
Hi! Tell us about yourself
In 2015, I quit my cushy corporate career cold-turkey and embarked on what I expected to be a multi-year international travel adventure with no itinerary and no plan – as free and nomadic as possible! To my surprise, I felt satisfied after 6 months of solo travel and craved a deeper purpose. After returning to NYC and participating in the life-changing Landmark Forum, I turned my lifelong love for dancing and performing into a passion project. I simply created something that I wished existed – multi-week dance programs for adult women that build community, focus on flirty feminine movement (similar to pop music videos), and have a culminating performance (either a video shoot or live show). Apparently, NYC women wished it existed too because my creation took off and became the first “Dance Video Program” concept in the industry. From there, I set about applying my business skills to scaling this concept into a full-fledged dance studio with our own brick-and-mortar location in Midtown Manhattan. Fast forward 9 years and we have had thousands of women dance with us, we offer 40+ classes every week, and we have been featured in dream media outlets! I’m a Livingston native who now lives in West Orange and I work remotely running SassClass full-time.
Tell us about your business!
SassClass is located in Midtown Manhattan, steps from Herald Square. We are the only dance studio in NYC that provides the highest quality dance education with top industry choreographers while also maintaining an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment. We welcome all levels and are especially known for our beginner dance offerings and for our feminine focus. At our studio you’ll find dance classes in all levels and styles as well as unique dance experiences that give you the chance to make once-in-a-lifetime memories like performing for a live audience, filming music videos, and dancing in iconic locations like Times Square!
Where did you grow up?
Born in Manhattan, raised in Livingston, lived in Boston, London & NYC, and now I’m in West Orange!
How did you find yourself doing this work?
Before starting SassClass, I had a successful corporate career in digital marketing and data analytics.
What is it about you that makes you so good at what you do?
I’m a problem-solver who thrives with a good challenge, a versatile Jill-Of-All-Trades (creative, communicative, and analytical) and I have worked on my mindset and outlook to the point that I can handle anything life throws at me!
Do you have any magic tricks that you use in your business that you swear by and could share with others?
Never respond from an emotional place. Always sleep on it.
What are 5 words that describe what you do?
People management, creative solutions, integrity.
What's your superpower in your business?
I always keep going.
Share a piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you started your biz.
The sooner you build a team, delegate, and create processes, the sooner you can scale and fire yourself from every job except CEO (and it’s not as scary / hard as you think)! Also – if you never ask, you’ll never know if it would have been a yes! Be a little bold and audacious.
What's your go-to celebration meal when you hit a milestone?
Indian buffet – highly recommend Dhaba Express in Parsippany!
Share a memorable encounter with a fellow entrepreneur or industry figure
While I was still in the depths of my unfulfilling corporate career before starting my business, I helped Sadie Kurzban (founder of 305 Fitness) with a promo video for her studio. Afterwards as we chatted, she told me that she was given advice that to be a successful entrepreneur you have to build something that you can’t live without. That really stuck with me. I had an opportunity to be a founder of what became a very successful business before SassClass (it was eventually acquired for millions) but my heart wasn’t in it and I don’t regret leaving to focus on SassClass – it’s what I couldn’t live without!
What’s your favorite ’90s jam?
“Santeria” by Sublime
Best biz book/podcast you’d recommend
Podcast: How I Built This with Guy Raz
Book: Billion Dollar Loser (fascinating!)