Andrea B. is a Zumba instructor and the owner of Intone Dance Studio in Corpus Christi, Texas. When Andrea first started taking Zumba classes, she realized “this is how I wanted to keep exercising.” Andrea, who is Colombian-American, likes how Zumba combines exercise with Latin dance rhythms. A year and a half ago, Andrea became a certified Zumba instructor, prompting her to leave her career as a flight attendant and begin teaching classes herself.

She opened Intone Dance Studio on April 1, 2011. In addition to Andrea, the studio has three instructors who all individually teach classes, allowing Andrea to offer classes throughout the morning and afternoon. Many of her current students are people who followed her from the studio where she previously worked. The students help Andrea grow the studio by recruiting friends and bringing them to class. Though anyone can join, the majority of Andrea’s students are young and middle-aged women.

Andrea is using this loan from ACCION Texas-Louisiana to help cover initial operating costs and meet any unforeseen expenses. She hopes to save enough of the money from this loan to upgrade the studio’s sound system once the business gets through the first few startup months. For supplemental income, Andrea rents out the studio for special events such as baby showers.

Andrea loves seeing the physical and mental transformation her students undergo as they take her classes. She hopes to eventually expand her studio and carry workout apparel. Andrea likes owning her own business, despite finding it stressful. “Being your own boss is good because you can organize your time the way you want it. But at the same time, it brings a lot of responsibility…it is a challenge.” Andrea is married with a 16-year-old son.