Entrepreneur Spotlight: Dodie Hunter-Eskew

We’re thrilled to introduce you to our friend and fellow dance studio owner, Dodie Hunter-Eskew! We have gotten to know Dodie and her Rising Star Tumbling and Dance community in Casper since 2016 through our dance apparel store, LKH & Company. One of Levi’s side gigs is fitting pointe shoes for ballerinas all over the region, and it’s been a joy to work with Rising Star’s talented dancers! Several of them have gone on to become instructors at our Laramie Dance & Arts Center while they’re attending UW, and we appreciate Dodie and her team’s work with these talented teachers that come on to inspire our community in Laramie!

Rising Star Tumbling and Dance Studio had its origins as Tumble Bug Tumbling and Dance which was owned by Dodie’s mother, Dorothy Hunter. At the age of 16, Dodie began teaching dance classes at her mom’s studio, which she ultimately purchased in 2015. Dodie rebranded Rising Star Tumbling and Dance Studio and quickly grew it into Casper’s largest dance and tumbling organization. Located in Casper’s Eastridge Mall, the once small studio is now a 10,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility that accommodates more than 700 students. Rising Star employs a team of 30, including five full-time staff members.

Dodie’s dance enterprise offers more than 125 weekly classes across a wide range of genres, serving students from six months through adulthood from beginning to advanced dancers. They focus on building confidence, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts. In addition to weekly classes, Rising Star offers a range of specialized programs and opportunities, including competitive dance, community performances such as hosting Casper’s Nutcracker each December, and their Rock Star Program, an adult movement dance program for those with disabilities. Dodie has received many awards, including 2021 CEO of the Year from the Dance Studio Owners Association.

WLM: Tell us about yourself!

DHE: I’m Dodie Hunter-Eskew, a Wyoming native, born in Casper. I’m a graduate of Natrona High School. I started out as a gymnast and started dancing at age ten. Our gymnastics coach took us to Dance Caravan each summer, and I was hooked on dance. I’m married to Troy Eskew, and we have four children and eight grandchildren. My other hobbies are learning to play the piano and traveling. 

WLM: What inspired you to start your business?

DHE: Working for my mom and being part of the studio for so many years, I could see the possibilities that Rising Star could grow to help students of Casper have more opportunities and to learn more about performing arts — so I approached my mom to purchase the business in 2015. Since I purchased the business, we have moved to a larger building. We have added a variety of programs to expose students to the performing arts and give them as many opportunities as we can in our community. 

WLM: What have been some of the challenges you’ve faced growing your business?

DHE: I’ve had a few challenges over the past 11 years of being the owner and creative director of Rising Star Tumbling and Dance Studio. One was finding the perfect staff who aligned with our core values and vision. I love to teach and mentor children. Learning how to run the business side has been challenging: managing people, creating processes, and making it all come together has been both challenging and rewarding. This process has helped me grow not only as a businesswoman but also as a leader and a person. Another obstacle that many business owners faced was the pandemic. I had just expanded the studio and moved it into a larger space. I made it through and learned to pivot and make the best of all situations. 

Not having a performance art center in Casper has also been a challenge. We are limited in when we can have shows and performances; dates are limited and the process to book the school is difficult. That is why I am on the board of the Lyric Performing Arts Center in Casper. Casper desperately needs a performing arts center. Once we have a performing arts center in Casper, the opportunities for Casper dancers, musicians and theater will be huge.  

WLM: What success have you seen in the growth of your business?

DHE: Rising Star was a staple of the community in Casper, but over the past 11 years, Rising Star has expanded not only in more students but in programs. We have added a National Honor Society of Dance Chapter. We have over 60 students in a leadership program. Rising Star has hosted Casper’s Nutcracker annually for the past five years, bringing in guest artists from Colorado and New York. We are also community partners with the Orr’s Hope Foundation, and we host a Nutcracker Tea to raise funds to help children and families of Wyoming who are premature or critically ill. Rising Star has not only a competitive dance program but has also added a competitive tap program as well as a Ballet Repertoire program. Rising Star has also expanded into adult programs: stretching in the morning, adult tap and ballet programs, along with adult ballroom and social dancing. We also have a dance class for adults with special needs that performs at the annual recital. We have quite a few dancers/tumblers who have moved on to professional companies, college dance teams, and careers in dance, along with some UW cheerleaders. 

WLM: Any thoughts on growing a business in Wyoming?

DHE: Wyoming has been a great place to start and grow a business. I think people in Wyoming love supporting local businesses. Casper is also a nice, small community that supports its youth programs and enjoys watching students grow in what they love. Our next step would be to provide more job opportunities in the arts in Wyoming so they do not have to move out of state to continue sharing their passion and talents. 

WLM: Any thoughts on entrepreneurs becoming involved in their communities outside of their businesses?

DHE: One of Rising Star’s core values is community! Working within our community in various ways is important to Rising Star: not only in performances but in helping raise awareness and funds alongside community partners, as well as volunteering to help our community. My greatest reward is seeing Casper’s young people and the greater Casper arts community grow and thrive. Besides serving on the board of The Lyric Performing Arts Center, I’m a passionate supporter of numerous local organizations including Mercer House, David Street Station, and Orr’s Foundation of Hope.

WLM: Any hopes for the future?

DHE: Rising Star Tumbling and Dance Studio was established in 1983. We are celebrating over four decades of helping students grow and blossom into confident young people. We are looking forward to expanding opportunities for the youth of Casper and all of Wyoming for many more years to come.

Thank you to Dodie for letting us shine the spotlight on her! Do you know a Wyoming-based business owner who we could shine the spotlight on next? Give us a buzz at wyolifestylemag@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at 307.755.6896! We also are searching for a sponsor for our Entrepreneur Spotlight series – contact us for more details!