Achievement
Gef’s 30 Under 30 2024 Winners: Q&A with Charlotte Scarffe
Ten categories. Thirty young visionaries making their mark on the Isle of Man. Introducing the 2024 #Gef30Under30 winners: the next generation of our island’s leaders.
Whether it’s overcoming adversity, winning competitions, or Team GB archery, the London Institute of Business & Technology Achievement winners are right on target.
What is your name and age?
Charlotte Scarffe, age 21.
Job title or role in the community?
Dance Teacher and Owner of CNDC.
How did you start your career or role in the community?
From the age of 3 I fell in love with dancing. Throughout my years of dancing, I have enjoyed it in many of its forms. Since the age of 12 I have wanted to share my knowledge to newcomers in the dancing industry. The COVID-19 lockdown really gave me the opportunity to study and take my first teaching exam. Since then, I have opened my own dance school which is continuing to grow.
Tell us about your business/industry, is there something interesting about it that most people wouldn’t expect?
I am the youngest dance school owner on island. I think people are shocked when they come to their first class and notice how young I am. This is no issue though, I can relate to the dancers!
Have you experienced any hurdles in your career or community efforts and if so, how did you overcome them?
Finding hall hire on island big enough that also accepts children was hard. We have been at the community hall at Talk of the Town in Nobles Park for a year now, they have been fantastic and so welcoming of us all!
Tell us about why you think you won the category you did?
I think I have won the Achievement category as CNDC has been successful since opening, which was almost 3 years ago now, when I was 18.
Who are your role models, either on-island or off, in your sector or outside of it?
My ballroom dance teacher Diane, John Travolta and Brian Friedman.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Do a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.
What do you wish you knew when you were getting started in your career?
Don’t believe anyone who says you can’t do it, you CAN!
What are your plans for the future?
On 21st July 2024 I am hosting the island’s first ever Cheerdance and Hip Hop competition. This consists of seven on-island dance schools who are taking part. With the current increase of travel costs off-island, this idea aims to keep costs down for family’s of dancers. If successful, this will be something which is organised more frequently.
What changes do you hope to see in your sector or community in the coming years?
A sense of togetherness with all dancers and dance schools on island.
What, for you, are the benefits of staying on or moving back to the island for young people under 30?
The island’s community is small, this enables young people to work together, communicate and share their business experiences and ideas with each other while sharing support. There are very few things available on island for youngsters, which means there are plenty of opportunities for businesses to provide facilities and safe places for children/young people to flourish. If we create the community for school-age children this encourages them to stay on island as they get older.
What does being a Gef’s 30 Under 30 winner mean to you?
It means so much, I am a very humble person and to be honest don’t like blowing my own trumpet!! None of this would be possible without the dancers and families of CNDC. And I am truly grateful for the support they give me, so THANK YOU!
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