Boss Mama CEO Story: Facing Adversity and Choosing to Build Anyway

Where do I even begin?

This introduction will never do Sara’s story justice because there is so much depth to it that only she can truly articulate. I’m in absolute awe of the persistence, strength, and resilience this woman has. The triumphs she has conquered and the way she continues to move through each season of life are truly remarkable. I’m honestly speechless and, if I’m being honest, a little emotional.

Sara is an incredibly strong mother who is setting an example for her daughter every single day. She’s showing her what strength, resilience, and determination look like, and what it means to face incredibly difficult circumstances and find a way to turn them into something extraordinary.

As someone who danced throughout my entire childhood and into my young adult years, and who once dreamed of opening a dance studio of my own, I’m especially proud of Sara and everything she has done to make her dream a reality. Owning and operating a dance studio is no small feat. She has built and sustained hers through some incredibly difficult seasons, and now she’s figuring out how to navigate it through a whole new season of single motherhood.

It’s truly remarkable.

I can’t wait for you to read her story and get to know the woman behind it all. And please don’t forget to go give Sara some love on social media, too!

YOUR STORY

Tell us who you are!

My name is Sara Ordway and I’m the owner of Ordway Conservatory of Classical Ballet.

We love a good origin story, but first, give us your short + sweet intro!

Ordway Ballet is respecting, mentoring, and guiding the next generation through exceptional ballet training. We combine professional-level ballet training with an intentional focus on building confident, resilient kids.

Every boss mama has a ‘day one.’ What was yours?

When I was 4 years old I fell in love with ballet. I was recently watching old home movies and wow was it obvious how much I loved it. It would become the constant in my life and the only thing that I could not give up. Naturally, that led me to a career as a professional ballet dancer. I was a principal dancer for 12 years dancing dream roles like Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Myrtha in Giselle, Kitri in Don Quixote and of course the Sugar Plum Fairy. But when you choose ballet dancing as a career, you need to have a second career planned. Most ballet dancers retire by their mid-thirties. Luckily, I found a deep love of teaching and had imagined myself running a school since I was about nine years old.

Ordway Conservatory opened in 2018 a few months after I retired from my professional dancing career. There wasn’t a studio around that taught the values I was interested in teaching or had the community I wanted to be a part of, so I decided to create that atmosphere myself. I was particularly driven by an article I read that claimed only 4% of women find themselves to be beautiful. All studios focus on creating better dancers, but I wanted to also make those dancers’ lives better. To give them confidence and work on self-worth and resilience. I also wanted to break the stereotype that great ballet training has to be harsh, intimidating, or cruel. Excellence and empathy don’t just coexist—they create stronger dancers.

Which came first—the business or the babies? Tell us how your family + business journeys intersected.

The business came first. I took a very long and twisting journey before I finally became a mother. In the meantime, I played a second mother role to hundreds of ballet students over the years. 

We know it’s a wild ride—tell us how you’ve balanced building your dream biz while raising your crew. The good, the tough, the real.

I was married when I started OCCB. Unfortunately, about four years into the business he lost control of his drinking and developed a very strong alcohol abuse disorder. I was putting on the bravest face I could and the business was absolutely thriving, but my personal life was completely falling apart. Just as he was losing control, my best friend suddenly passed away of a SCAD heart attack. The year and a half after she died was the very worst of my life. I kept OCCB thriving, but my personal life was dealt so many crushing blows. My best friend was suddenly gone, my marriage was over despite my desperate fight to save it, and my dreams of being a mother were further away than ever.

Only someone who has loved an addict can really understand how difficult that time period was. The studio and the dancers were my lifeline and the community and atmosphere I had built absolutely saved me. And somehow, I found growing the business to be easiest during that time period. Building systems was like a balm to my soul. But I had a big decision to make. I was quickly approaching 40 and longing for a child. After the love I’d lost and the way I lost it, I couldn’t imagine being with another partner. I couldn’t imagine being able to trust another person to essentially “own” half of my child. So, I took some time and started to really consider doing it on my own.

I had tried to have a child with my ex-husband for years and it hadn’t worked. I’d had all the fertility tests and no answers so I knew it might not be a straightforward path. And it wasn’t. It took almost two years from my first appointment to finally holding my daughter in my arms.

During the countless fertility appointments, searching for the right sperm donor, 5 failed IUIs and finally the ups and downs of IVF, the studio was again my safe space. I had so many devastating days during those two years, but the business was always there to be worked on and improved. And I became obsessed with systemizing to support my dreams. Which absolutely paid off when I needed to take maternity leave!

The thing I love most about ballet is that there is no perfect, just the endless journey towards it. I feel the same way about my business and I imagine that’s how motherhood will go as well.

My daughter is just shy of three months old right now and I’m navigating what that means for my work schedule and how much of myself I can give OCCB this year. I won’t pretend it doesn’t scare me, but I also know that I can do anything. Because I’ve proven that to myself time and time again. And luckily for me I’ve always chosen the path that has the things I want most on it. Whether that be ballet or being a mom. I think that’s the key to happiness. I don’t like the quote “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” It’s definitely not true! But I do like “Do what you love, and you’ll always be able to find happiness.” And that is what you’ll need when things inevitably get rough.

What’s one obstacle you’ve overcome?

I’ve got to say IVF! The schedule of it, the shots, the frequent appointments, procedures, and the hope you have to carry. I had affirmations written all over my house! And there was also a certain weight to doing it alone. I had to take a work trip right after my embryo transfer and just that was so stressful! Flying with needles and medication while trying to be stress free was a big challenge for me. But I did it and it worked!

YOUR BUSINESS

Tell us your superpower—what’s your product, service, or special offering?

Our superpower is giving kids exceptional ballet training in an environment where they feel safe, respected, and truly cared for. We hold our dancers to high standards, but we lead with empathy and never believe fear or intimidation belong in the classroom. And then we give them incredible opportunities to take everything they’ve learned to the stage through professional-quality productions where our students are the stars. We want every child who walks through our doors to become a stronger dancer, but even more importantly, to know that they matter as a person.

What’s the magic that sets you apart?

People often assume the best ballet training must be harsh. We disagree. At OCCB, we prove every day that discipline doesn’t require fear, and excellence doesn’t require cruelty. Our students are held to incredibly high expectations, but they’re also treated with empathy, dignity, and respect. They learn to work hard because they’re inspired—not intimidated. We believe that when children are challenged, supported, and truly known, they don’t just become stronger dancers; they become stronger people.

Spill the tea — any big milestones, press shoutouts, or launches on the horizon? 

This season marks our 9th year of inspiring the next generation of dancers, and it’s shaping up to be one of our most exciting yet. Our performance lineup includes An Interactive Nutcracker, our spring production of Alice in Wonderland, our annual Modern Showcase, and our Year-End Recital, giving students incredible opportunities to perform and grow on stage. As we continue to expand our programs and community, we’re excited to keep redefining what ballet education can be by combining artistic excellence with empathy, respect, and a child-centered approach.

And I’m planning some big events and fun surprises for our 10th anniversary next year!

Give us a Day in the Life of being both Mom and CEO!

My first day back to in person work was our eighth anniversary recital! It was also my first really big challenge as a solo mom by choice. I packed up my daughter and all her gear and hauled it into the theater (in one trip, of course). She turned two months that very day and I had no idea how it was going to go. But she was a dream. I put some noise canceling headphones on her, slung her over my shoulder, grabbed the mic and went about spacing the dancers and giving corrections. When it was showtime I carried her out on stage with me for curtain speeches. I laid her on the table in the lighting booth where I call the show from. We had bottles, we changed diapers and I ran the show as per usual. It felt like it could have gone wrong at any moment, but it didn’t. It actually worked out perfectly. It’s like she understood that we needed to be a team that day. I doubt every show day will go as well, but it does make me feel confident that we can do anything together.

I’m looking forward to building a daily routine with her. We have our next big challenge when I go back to teaching. I’ve got a playpen for the studio so she’ll either be in there or strapped to me as I give combination and corrections.

I feel very lucky that I can bring her with me to work and that 100% of my clients are parents who understand and can help me if I need it. Everyone in my life has been so supportive and I know I can count on my staff, dancers and parents to not only help me, but be family for my daughter. I’m so excited for her to grow up at the studio. I imagine once the school year starts, we’ll find a balance of time for me to work on the business, time for me to teach the dancers and lots and lots of time to play with my daughter. And I plan to have her by my side for all of it. I’ll have to let you know how it goes!

ADVICE FOR MOMPRENEURS

What’s the single best piece of advice or favorite tool you’d share with other mamas building their businesses?

I am a part of a mastermind group of dance studio owners and I cannot tell you how important the friendships and connections I’ve made there have become. When I was taking time to decide about becoming a solo mom by choice, I asked members of that group first if they thought I could do it. Everyone was enthusiastic and supportive. That group has helped me make my business better and make my life better.

What’s been your biggest challenge juggling motherhood and running a business?

So far, it’s having to work in short bursts. I’m a sit down and work until it’s done kinda girl and I’ve been unable to do that so far. I knew that would be hard for me, so at least I was prepared!

What’s your approach to balancing business and family? We love the real, unfiltered stories!

I think when you own a business there really isn’t any such thing as balance. It can be a lot of pressure to worry about spending a certain amount of time on the business and a certain amount of time on your family. When you own a business it’s in your head 24/7 and when you’re a mom it’s the same. I’m thinking about and working on both all the time and that feels like balance to me.

Looking back, what’s something you wish you had known before starting your business?

I wish I’d understood more about how starting and growing a business during a marriage could affect ownership and division of the business in a divorce. It was incredibly difficult to see something I’d poured so much of myself into become part of that process.

I’ve learned a lot I didn’t know about taxes and other unpleasant things. But I think the most important thing to know is that you can’t ever be fully prepared to run a business. You’ll figure it out along the way, and that is part of the fun. I love a challenge and I love a problem to solve, and both are endless as a business owner.

What tool, resource, or habit has completely changed the game for you?

My studio owners group. And really systemizing. It saves so much time when you make everything you do into a system that someone else could complete next time.

What mindset shifts have helped you keep going during hard seasons?

I’ve been blessed with a wonderful mindset. I wouldn’t have survived without it. I see every challenge and set back as an opportunity to do better. And ballet taught me the most important lesson of my life: pain is temporary.

What words of encouragement would you give a Mom tempted to give up on her business dream?

The only way to create the life of your dreams is to build it yourself. My business is what made having my daughter possible. I think that you can have it all if you’re willing to do the work.

I love how Sara flipped the familiar saying, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life,” into:

“Do what you love, and you’ll always be able to find happiness.”

I’m going to carry that one with me. There’s something so profound about it.

Sara is truly one of the strongest women I know, and I think we can all take a little something from her story.

I’d love to feature more Boss Mamas like Sara. If you know someone who deserves the spotlight, please reach out and send me their info at ashley@bossmamaceo.com or via my contact page here. And hey, if that’s you, I love a little self-brag too! Send me your details so we can shine the spotlight on you as well.

Here’s to all the incredible Moms juggling a million things—keep shining bright, cheering each other on, and building the life you love!

Ashley

Friendly Note: I’m simply sharing my journey, experiences, and lessons learned as a Mom in business. This isn’t legal, financial, or professional advice. Always check with a qualified pro for guidance tailored to you.