Business: Xtreme Dance
Address: 1911 Glacier Park Ave., Naperville
Phone, website: 630-922-5678, www.xtremedance.com
Owners: James “JC” Renzetti and Brenda Huettl
Years in business: 15
What does this business do? It’s a dance school that teaches hip-hop, ballet, lyrical, tap, jazz and break dance,” Brenda Huettl said. “There are seven studios with classes for preschoolers through adult.
What was the impetus for opening this studio? “Sam Renzetti is the one who started (the business) as a competitive dance team in 2002. And in 2008, when we took over the facility … we started doing recreational stuff as well.”
What is the best thing about being in Naperville? “It’s a great community, diverse. I live here with my kids; they’ve grown up here. It’s like the downtown area: There’s always something to do, always something going on.”
What is the biggest challenge about being in Naperville? “I think … there are high expectations for you as a business.”
When is your busiest time of year? “We start in September, and we go until July. That’s our company stuff. It’s more of like a season by the school year. We do have smaller classes and summer camps.”
What is the most popular class? “For us it’s hip-hop. That’s what Sam started the company on in 2002. We were known for our hip-hop because we were on ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’ on MTV, and because a lot of our alumni now teach.”
What is a less popular class you would recommend? “A lot of kids say they don’t like ballet. But that is, I think, the base of everything. I just wish people would give it a chance and understand the benefits.”
What class did you offer that you weren’t sure about but ended up being popular? “Break dancing is coming back. It’s a hit or miss each year, but it’s growing.”
What is the ratio of boys to girls? “Xtreme has always been about the boys because we have the (all-boy) X-Men group.” However, there are female students, and many of the classes are co-ed.
What is the best thing about owning your own business? “Co-owning is great because then you can work off each other and (there’s) not just one person carrying the load of everything. And I can be around for (my) family.”
What is the biggest downside? “There’s a lot to do, to pay attention to. There’s no one else to go to. It’s tough, but it’s not. You just have to take ownership of that.”
What is the biggest misconception about your business? “That it’s like what you see on TV, those shows. They may have a misconception of how things are run or how things (should) go.”
How would you describe your business philosophy? “We want to train dancers but also to teach them respect for teachers and adults respect for the art. And also teach them work ethics. To teach kids how to appreciate that person next to you. It’s more than just dance.”
Daina Saleh is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
