We had the good fortune of connecting with Eddy Deynes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eddy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process was straightforward: I began with small one-on-one sessions at their homes. As my clientele grew, I started renting space at different dance studios. With that growth, I eventually reached the point of owning my own studio!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy?

I kind of stumbled into this profession by accident. At the time (1998), many ballroom dance instructors were teaching salsa like it was cumbia, and there weren’t many street dancers who really understood Salsa or Bachata dancing. It was an easy fit for me, but I was hesitant because I didn’t move to Houston to become an instructor—I just grew up dancing.

Challenges?

The real challenge came when I had to decide whether to leave corporate America and pursue this full-time. After a lot of planning, I made the leap, and I absolutely love it. I’ve been self-employed for 23 years now, and I’ve learned that if you’re going to do something, make sure you love it. Everything has a beginning and an end, so keep evolving.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

SalsaEddy is all about selling happiness. I help you forget about the world for a couple of hours each week!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Sunday Funday: Kick off your week with “Simone on Sunset”! It’s all about eating, drinking, and dancing—let’s make the most of your Sunday!

Motivational Monday: Start your week with some culture at the Houston Museum and a stroll through Hermann Park. After soaking up the sights, treat yourself to a meal at La Chingada Mexican Cuisine for some tasty eats and drinks, then dance the night away!

Temptation Tuesday: Let’s take a little trip to The Woodlands! Enjoy a scenic walk along the river walk, check out some local restaurants, and then unwind with drinks and dancing at Rose Rooftop.

Wicked Wednesday: We’re heading to Galveston for a day of sightseeing! After exploring, let’s relax at La Vita Coffee, where you can enjoy delicious coffee and snacks to refuel.

Tropical Thursday: We’ll wander around downtown Houston, sampling various spots, then make our way to Midtown for a fabulous dinner. Of course, we’ll cap off the night with drinks and dancing at Reset Rooftop!

TGIFriday: It’s time to explore Chinatown! Indulge in some Asian cuisine, grab a refreshing boba, and treat yourself to a foot massage. Then, let’s hit the Galleria Mall for some shopping before enjoying food, drinks, and dancing at Stesti Food Hall & Beer Garden. Afterward, we can drive to Cypress Barker for the Big W Cattle Monthly Salsa Bachata Social.

Salsa Saturday: Start your Saturday morning at Discovery Green, then head over to Kemah in the afternoon. In the early evening, we’ll relax and have a few drinks at The Mood Room. We’ll wrap up the day at the ultimate Salsa celebration: the SalsaDura Dance Social, which happens on the first Saturday of each month. Come ready to dance!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a huge shoutout to all my students, both past and present, for choosing me as your instructor! Big thanks to all the venues that hire me to teach and DJ, and to those who let me share my love for tropical music across this beautiful city and beyond. I also want to shout out to my kids, who inspire me every day to work hard for a better life for them. And last but definitely not least, the biggest shoutout goes to God for blessing me with this talent to share with everyone here in Houston and around the world!

Website: https://www.salsaeddy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salsaeddy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salsaeddy

Twitter: https://x.com/salsaeddy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salsaeddy.original/

Image Credits
SalsaEddy

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