Miranda Pederson/Daily NewsHeather Cochran owns Starz Elite Performance Academy, 830 Fairview Ave., Suite B5.

Each week, the Daily News profiles a locally owned business.

Name of business: Starz Elite Performance Academy

Location: Cambridge Square, 830 Fairview Ave., Suite B5

Contact: StarzEliteKY@gmail.com, on the Web at StarzEliteKY.com, or by phone at 793-0004.

Type of Business: Performing arts center specializing in dance, gymnastics and cheer.

When did it open? Began in fall of 2000 as a part-time venture teaching dance, acting, piano, guitar and voice lessons. Due to growth, I opened full time in 2004 as OnStage, and in 2009 moved to our present location and added gymnastics and cheerleading, changing the name to Starz Elite Performance Academy to reflect our expanding services.

Owner: Heather Cochran

Number of Employees: Contracted staff of five teachers.

Specialties: We are the only place in Warren County that offers dance, gymnastics and cheerleading in one location. We feature two dance studios, and we perform local shows at community events and centers in addition to two recitals per year. We have a dance company that competes nationally. We offer classes in all gymnastics events and a competitive gymnastics team, tumbling classes, and cheer prep classes that teach pom-pom, dance, tumbling and stunting to prepare students to cheer at their schools or for rec teams.

How did the business get started? I began teaching part time for fun and loved it. As the business grew, I listened to the parents and students and added classes and disciplines that were requested. Starz Elite has grown to offer what the community wants and needs from a performing arts center.

What is your background? Just like my youngest students, I began dancing, tumbling and cheering at an early age and fell in love with it. I took that passion and majored in dance at Western Kentucky University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. I have been teaching dance, gymnastics and cheer for more than 23 years, and have performed in numerous professional shows and productions throughout Ohio and Kentucky. I have competed and won top awards nationally in dance performance, and I have taught hundreds of students at conventions in dance and theater.

What are your biggest challenges as a business? Trying my best to keep all my students and parents happy as they grow and learn.

What’s your business philosophy? My desire is to instill a love of the performing arts into the hearts of all my students, so that it stays with them throughout their lives. They don’t have to be a prima ballerina or Olympic champion to reap the benefits of education in the arts.

What issues are affecting your industry? The recession makes it harder to keep our students, as families have less money for extracurricular activities. While dance, gymnastics and cheerleading are not a necessity, those activities can build confidence, and teach both teamwork and leadership skills to students, which will impact them positively for the rest of their lives.

What are the factors that make your business successful? We have a great facility conveniently located in Bowling Green, with two dance studios, a fully equipped gym, free Wi-Fi, kitchen area, and two large waiting rooms. We have a store that offers all our students’ needs in regard to leotards, tights, shoes and bags. We have an informative website with online registration. We have award-winning competitive dance and gymnastics teams. And I believe we have the best teachers around.

How do you handle competition? There are several well-respected dance, cheer and gymnastics centers in Warren County. I don’t feel that we compete against each other, but rather each of us offers something unique to our students, giving families the ability to find what works best for them.

What is your advice to someone thinking about opening a business? Have a good plan written out on paper, and be ready to work at any and all hours. It takes a lot of time, effort and money to get started, but don’t give up. And be sure that it is something you feel passionate about, that will make those long hours easier to handle!