Q+A with Donté Colley

What would you tell someone who’s been discouraged from dancing to express themselves?

I get asked this quite a lot, and honestly, what other people think of you is none of your business. Be you and be unapologetically you at all times. You don’t owe anyone anything. Dance is supposed to be fun. It’s a human thing and we are all capable of moving through space. There is no judgement here. I want everyone to feel safe. My high school directors and teachers never wanted us to be cookie-cutter when it came to movement. That’s the whole point of exploration, allowing your body to be fluid in space.

What should people expect to see in your Zoom class with us?

It will be fun/simple/easy, and I can’t wait to be in a virtual room with people I love already. You’re just going to have to tune in!

If we’ve never danced before, should we be nervous about attending a dance class with you?

Not at all. I am not technical at all. Let’s just feel good and set our intentions for the rest of the month.

You provide a sense of empowerment, love, and validation to so many people almost on a daily basis – who are the people in your life doing that for you?

None of us are alone, even in our darkest moments. I’ve hit many bumps this year, but when positive things happen to you, obstacles naturally fall on your path to continue to help you find solutions to new problems that come about. It’s my friends, family, and the people who have followed me along my journey so far, which is far from over for every one of us, but without them, I wouldn't be able to recharge and refuel.

Hi Aubre! How did you become a brand ambassador for Year of Ours?

I feel like I was a low-key brand ambassador before YOS officially made me one! I was obsessed with their brand and was an instant fan from day one. The first time I met the Year of Ours team was at their first pop-up shop in LA! It was there that I mentioned to them that I would love to host an event with the brand (I WAS SO NERVOUS) and from there we made it happen! I was always a loyal supporter because I love everything that the brand stands for. Over the years, our relationship continued to evolve so I guess you could say it was a pretty seamless transition from #FANGIRL to official ambassador!

What is it that makes you love the brand so much?

If there was a definition for "being cool without trying," Year of Ours would be it. In my opinion, they have always been ahead of the curve. What makes Year of Ours stand apart from others in the industry is the way they collaborate, create and engage with their community/ambassadors. Aside from that, their workout apparel makes me feel strong and sassy and it is inclusive to all body types/sizes which I am allllllll about.

What can we expect from your Zoom class?

I'm not going to sugar coat it: my classes are NOT EASY. With that being said, I feel really confident saying you will have more fun in my workout than you will in any other virtual fitness class. I was a dancer my whole life and have been teaching fitness for 8+ years! My style of teaching is unique in that in my workouts, we move to FEEL GOOD. It's all about moving to the beat, building energy/strength and connecting to yourself. Can't wait to move with you!!!

Hi Caroline! Tell us a little bit about yourself and Florabrook.

I’ve been a florist since I was 16 years old. I started as an after school job and kind of never stopped. I graduated college and began my company a year later and have now been in business for six years! I’ve evolved a lot since the beginning. We mostly focused on weekly flowers for businesses and events until COVID and post-COVID we started an e-commerce page and ship dried flowers and host virtual classes. The past few years have really made me realize you just have to roll with the punches. I’m not a huge planner, but as long as I can always be creative and around flowers, I’ll always love my career.

What can we expect to see/learn during your Zoom class?

During the zoom class I’ll give you a step-by-step demonstration on how to arrange each element and what order to do them in to create your masterpiece. We’ll also go over care instructions and will just have fun!

One tip for making an easy, inexpensive fall floral arrangement?

I’d say go dried so you don’t have to keep refreshing. Dried makes the most sense in the fall too. If you live in an area where you can forage outside, you can always pick stuff outside and even spray paint to add more vibrant colors. If not, you can always dry out flowers from the bodega/grocery store!

Hi Ben! Tell us a little bit about yourself for people who may not know you.

I'm an NYU grad and a skincare enthusiast who's been around the block - from beauty writing to skincare product development to marketing, I've had my hands in all things skincare for years now! I'm passionate about safe, proven ingredients, and products that actually work - and sharing them with all of you on TikTok and YouTube!

What can people expect to see/learn from you in your Zoom class?

In Skincare 101, we'll go over how to get your routine started with the essentials, plus exciting ways to level up your routine with treatment products, beauty tools, and tips. I'll also be answering your burning skincare questions in real time. There will be things to learn and products to discover for everyone, no matter where you are in your skincare journey.

What’s the number 1 best skincare tip you’ve picked up over the years?

To trust and respect your skin. It's easy to get frustrated and go overboard, especially with products like exfoliants and retinol. But it's important to remember that our skin is a smart, strong, and essential part of our bodies - we need to respect it! Slow down, listen to what your skin needs, and treat it with care.