The Jen Gottlieb Show Rejection, Resilience, and Rockstar Paychecks: Dance Business Lessons from Menina Fortunato
What do you do when your passion feels like it isn’t enough? For Menina Fortunato, the answer was simple—she built a business. From performing with legends like Britney Spears and Paula Abdul to teaching dancers how to build thriving careers, Menina’s story is a masterclass in resourcefulness, resilience, and redefining success on your own terms.
In this episode, Menina takes us through her remarkable journey from a teenager teaching jazz classes at her dad’s studio to a world-renowned performer, and now a mentor helping dancers master the “business side” of their craft. She shares candid stories about rejection, pivoting during the pandemic, and the challenges of balancing a seven-figure business with family life.
Menina’s advice? Talent is only 20% of the equation—success is about knowing how to market yourself, build a personal brand, and embrace the chaos of the creative life. Whether you’re a dancer, an entrepreneur, or someone struggling to monetize your passion, this episode will leave you inspired to take that leap of faith.
"The only shot you miss is the one you don’t take." ~ Menina Fortunato
In this Episode:
- How Menina discovered dance (and resisted it at first)
- Breaking into the industry
- Pivoting and finding new opportunities
- Life as a working mom
- The business of dance and building a personal brand
- Why social media is important for dancers
- Rejection, resilience, and why failure is your best teacher
- Lessons she’s learned about business ownership
- What’s next for Menina Fortunato?
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About Menina Fortunato:
Menina Fortunato is the founder of the Business of Dance mentorship program and podcast, dedicated to helping dancers create thriving careers by mastering both their craft and the business side of the industry. With over 30 years of experience in dance, Menina has seamlessly balanced her roles as a performer, choreographer, mentor, wife, and mother of three. Her podcast has featured top industry icons, including Paula Abdul, Jojo Siwa, and Abby Lee Miller, providing invaluable insights into the world of dance and entertainment.
A seasoned performer, Menina has captivated global audiences with appearances in America's Got Talent, Star Trek: Enterprise, MAD TV, and major stadium tours performing for crowds of up to 60,000. Her journey showcases not only her immense talent but also her commitment to inspiring others to turn their passion for dance into lifelong success.
Website: https://www.bizofdance.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meninafortunato
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@menina.fortunato
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Na9LEtkkdepkzvjdkl27U?si=64d412ad2cda4722
Where to find me:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jen_gottlieb/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jen_gottlieb
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jenleahgottlieb
Website: https://jengottlieb.com/
My business: https://www.superconnectormedia.com/