Carolina Bonilla Advances to the 2017 Arthur Murray All Star Championships
Name: Carolina Bonilla
Studio: Columbia
All Star History: Finals in Las Vegas in 2014
Year You Started in the Business: 2007
What is the AM All Star Competition?The Arthur Murray All Stars is a skills competition for every level of professional within each location around the world. The goal is to grow, develop, and reveal the professionals that demonstrate the best customer service, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. The competition begins in each studio and winners advance to small region, or District, competitions. From there the District winners advance to the large region, or Area, competition. Finally, the Area winners advance to the World Championships in Las Vegas where each Area team tests and one team is pronounced the winner.
More importantly, the real winners are the students of the Arthur Murray Dance Studios as these tests, and accompanying training, help to deliver better communication, teamwork, problem solving, and confidence from every member of the staff.
AML: First off, congratulations on moving into the finals in Last Vegas. How did you react when the announcement was made?
CB: I was excited, proud, anxious, and naturally, nervous all over again.
AML: How did you feel going into the Semi-Finals?
CB: I felt nervous, but confident and prepared.
AML: What kind of last minute things did you do to prepare?
CB: There was a little pep talk. I needed to remind myself that all of this is to help me grow in my position and get better. In the holding room I focused on other things like my new beautiful baby niece and tried not to get too caught up in my nerves.
AML: How has this process made you a better professional?
CB: It has helped grow my communication skills. It has helped me adapt to many different situations and people. It has really pushed me outside my comfort zone and speak in front of people. It has helped me learn how to keep my nerves in check and not quit just because I'm afraid of a situation or circumstance.
AML: What's you All Star backstory? If you can give a little synopsis of the highs and lows of this competition over the years.
CB: The first year I tested in All Stars I won for in my studio - I believe as teacher - and I was too scared to go to the next round so I asked someone else (Brandon Jones, who was next in line) to go instead. I thought I was safe and would never have to do this ever again because, honestly, I thought and believed it was a one time thing! Not a once a year thing.
Well, the joke was on me [laughs].
If I'm speaking openly and honestly, for the first few years in the company, I did not look forward to all stars at all. It was hard for me to see how it was beneficial to me and my career. But, the more we studied, the more we practiced, the more times I had to do a presentation in front of staff or in front of my franchisees, Joe and Leisa Howard, the more I realized that everything and everyone were just trying to help me help my students grow and be better.
I think what really impacted me and made me realize All Stars was a phenomenal thing was when I realized that learning how to communicate, learning how to deal with different personalities, learning how to adapt to different situations, learning how to work as a team, not only was helping me grow as a professional, but it was also helping me grow and develop myself, my relationships, and even personal situations outside of the studio.
That, for me, was huge.
AML: What will it mean to you if the team wins it all this year?
CB: When Area 2 wins it all this year it will solidify that we are a strong, passionate, and hardworking area. We have been working so hard to grow in all aspects of this amazing career, and to say that we were the champions will be the cherry on top.
AML: Who are some people that helped you get to this point?
CB: Joe and Leisa Howard, for always pushing me and believing in me even when I didn't believe in myself. For being patient and understanding that sometimes I need to understand why and how things are going to help me, but also at times just putting me on the spot and making me work through my challenges.
The Arthur Murray Columbia Team, for trusting me in training them to help me grow, and as a result, helping us grow stronger as a team and understanding each other better.
My late grandfather. Every time I wanted to give up, not try my best, or run away from doing presentations, or anything that I'm afraid of or makes me feel uncomfortable, I remind myself of this saying he would always tell me, "Las cosas se hacen bien o no se hacen." Meaning, "you do things well or not at all."
He always reminded me that you're put in certain situations for specific reasons. You won't always know the reason, but you are to try your best and excel in every situation and everything you do.
AML: Last question: what does this mean to you? What makes it special?
CB: To me, personally, it will be a huge stamp of personal growth and development. it will be a great example and testimony that hard work will always be rewarded.
It will be a great reminder that things won't always be easy, and you're going to want to quit, but if you keep fighting, if you keep learning, and keep growing, it will all be worth it in the end.
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