Mick Unplugged - Christy Buss | From Last-Minute Choreography to CEO: Christy Buss Reflects on Her Journey

Episode Date: November 25, 2024

Welcome to another enlightening episode of "Mick Unplugged." Today's guest is the inspiring Christy Buss, a multifaceted talent whose journey spans from choreography to entrepreneurship. Over a successful 30-year career in daytime TV choreography, Christy has overcome challenges and carved out a unique niche, proving that dance is both an art and an athletic discipline. In our conversation, she opens up about the importance of resilience, the impact of a supportive social circle, and her skincare line Hedo. Christy also shares heartfelt stories from her career, like dancing for the Los Angeles Rams on USO tours and choreographing iconic television moments. Not to mention, we delve into her transition to online teaching after COVID-19, and her entrepreneurship journey, launching a skincare line at 60. Through her insights, Christy illustrates how determination and adaptability can lead to success against all odds. Tune in as we explore the deeper motivations behind Christy's pursuits, her advice on perseverance, and the importance of embracing one’s unique superpowers. Join us for an episode filled with inspiration, practical wisdom, and a few laughs along the way. Don't forget to check the show notes for links to Christy’s ventures and social media. Let's get unplugged with Mick and Christy Buss! Takeaways: ·       Entrepreneurship requires constant effort and resilience. ·       Dance is an athletic discipline that demands rigorous training. ·       Supportive circles are essential for motivation and accountability. ·       It's important to acknowledge and address personal struggles. Sound Bites: ·       "What's Christy's because?" ·       "Entrepreneurship is not easy." ·       "It's time to create and build." Connect and Discover LinkedIn:                                         linkedin.com/in/christy-curtis-buss-3008891a Instagram:                                      Instagram.com/christycbuss Facebook:                                       facebook.com/christycurtisbuss Website:                                          christybuss.com HEDO Skincare Website:              hedo.com Podcast:                                         Ageless Ambitions Tik Tok:                                          @christycbuss X:                                                    @christycbuss        See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your because is that thing that's like, all right, I gotta get up and still do it. What's Christy's because? I wanna make my bed in the morning every day. And it's because I have this ability to make sure that everything can get done the way it should be. Everyone thinks entrepreneurship is easy. Exactly, entrepreneurship is not easy.

It's nice to be your own boss, but at the same time, you never stop 24-7. Whether you're a CEO and it's like, how do I take that next step? Or even in your personal life and it's like, I've had consecutive bad days. What's some advice that you have for people? You just think things are going to go a certain way and when they don't, you have to understand there's always a reason why and we we don't wanna really accept that reason, but we can take that of what we feel

and maybe not feeling good about it and find a way to overcome what you didn't think was gonna happen and make yourself better. Welcome to MICK Unplugged, where we ignite potential and fuel purpose. Get ready for raw insights, bold moves, and game changing conversations. Buckle up.

Here's Mick. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another exciting episode of Mick Unplugged. And today we have a freaking superstar. One of my favorite people in the world. She's a powerhouse who knows how to combine art, leadership, and heart, inspiring those around her with everything she does. We're talking about from the stage to the boardroom. She's created her own rhythm in life.

Let's get ready to hear the incredible insights and stories from the fearless, the visionary, the resilient, the captivating, my friend, Ms. Christy Bus. Christy, how you doing today, girl? Oh my gosh, that was so nice of you. Thank you so much. Wow, that put me like in a good mood. No, thank you.

You are one of my favorite people in the world. I've been a huge follower and fan of yours on Instagram. Like you're always pushing out positivity, some creativity and some fun as well too. Like that's one of the things I wanna talk about. Like I didn't know Christy was such a funny person. Well, I can be funny. One of my favorite funniness of just,

without me even knowing it was being on the Jimmy Kimmel. Like I had no idea I was, I got picked to do this and I didn't really know exactly what it was for. But boy, when I was there and did this, the script and everything, it was hilarious. So everybody thought that was pretty fun. So that was, that was exciting. You know, you've had such an illustrious career.

You have an amazing impact, you know, CEO, founder, dancer, choreographer. Like, I don't know if there's anything that Christy doesn't do, right? But, you know, I'll make unplug Christy. I like going into your because, that thing that's deeper than your why, that thing that motivates you every day. When life kicks you in the butt, your because is that thing that's deeper than your why, that thing that motivates you every day.

When life kicks you in the butt, your because is that thing that's like, all right, I got to get up and still do it. I would love to know what's Christy's because. Wow, that's interesting. I just had this huge celebration of my viewing sizzle reel because it's about my life, right? And it's something that I wanna cherishly get done because of the things that I've done since I actually won this contest

called the All American Woman in 1979. And it's so different now what the All American Woman is today, right? So, and I was crowned the first and only All American Woman. And what does that mean to me now after 46 years? Well, you're asking me the because, right? And so I had a very special person who's an amazing comedian, but she's an amazing storyteller.

So she actually, we met like four or five times to get my story out through me telling her and then her explaining my story versus it being myself. And somehow, some way, this word called the runner came out. The word runner. And that's something that within my family, I was always the one to make sure that everything got done. If the laundry wasn't done before my mom got home,

if the dishes weren't done, and it even wasn't my chore, I still did it. And it's because I wanted everything to be good. I wanted everything to be online. I wanted everything to be happy for my mother who, you know, she raised us on her own for a long time. So, I was that person. And that's because I have this inner drive in me that no matter what, I'm going to get it done. I'm going to do it. And that's been instilled with me, like I said, from the story that I was telling you that since I was very little,

I knew that I had this drive to make sure that everything could be the best it could be at the time versus just slacking off or just maybe not making my bed in the morning today. No. I want to make my bed in the morning every day and it's because I have this ability to make sure that everything can get done the way it should be so that you're responsible and aware of everything that you do takes it to another level, right? Well that's my because. Does that make sense to you?

It really doesn't make sense, but it resonates. You know, like same thing. I made a promise to my mom and sister as a 10-year-old, right? That, you know, I don't know how, but I'm going to help make life better. Again, at 10, I didn't have answers to the test, but I figured it out, right? And that's why I think I admire you so much because one of the things that I know about you is Christy just figures it out, right? No matter what the challenge is going to be, no matter what the thing is going to be, Christy is going to figure out a way to make it happen. And I love that.

True. Very true. I have one thing. You said the All American Woman, 1979. You know, again, I follow you, I see you. You were like one years old in 1979. No, I wasn't. Seriously, I was just turning 19 at that time. So yeah, that puts me 46 years ago, this year when I won.

So I was 19, so that makes me around 65, going on 66. And yeah, it's crazy. Yeah, and for those that are not watching, for those that are just listening to the audio only, and when you follow Christy, you'll know what I'm saying. Not a day over 27 is Christy Busch, just saying. I wish, I wish. People give me like, oh, you look just around 50

and I'm like, okay, that's still like, wait, I don't even wanna be that, but when you tell me 27, I okay, that's still like, wait, I don't even want to be that. But when you tell me 27, I'll take that one. Absolutely. Absolutely. And so I think I actually want to go there because again, knowing the things I know about you, founder, skincare, something that you totally believe in, and you have one of the most amazing product lines out there. So let's talk about HEDO for. Okay. Well well first of all, like you said, I can get things done.

I ran a studio, a dance studio for 28 years, and I had over 3,000 kids come through that I taught. And somehow I found a way, because I did it all by myself. And so COVID came around four years ago, obviously, and I actually lost my studio. So we were trying to do things online because I lost the brick and mortar

because I couldn't pay the rent. And at that time I just said, it's time. It's time to move the baton to the person that I've been training. And so my assistant bought it from me and I led her to a different place, smaller, so that she could afford it. And it was great.

It was great. So it just at 60, I was doing a TV, like a show is called Ageless Ambitions. And I had on one of my dear friends and I never got in depth like we're doing now, like more in depth about what she did owning three med spas. And I was so intrigued by her talking about skin. It just, because I always took care of my body. My body was my instrument. But when you get older, this things, things start changing.

And I was just loving, loving what she was saying. And so I'm like, I want to know more. I want to, I want to be around you. So she's like, well, come on down and see what I do. But more than that, she told me, I think you should do a skincare line. I think you can do this because of your tenacity and how you ran your dance studio. I think it'd be something to, you know,

transfer or mold into something new at 60 years old. I knew I was excited about doing something different. And so she said, I'll help you. And I knew nothing at 60. So I went back and studied. I went back online school and I learned about formulations. I learned about ingredients

because there's no way I was going to do this and not know what I was talking about. I led my career in dance because I knew what I was doing. And so I could do it with my eyes closed. But this was something very, very different, very different. And selling a product is another thing that's very different. I was the product, so I could sell myself, but it's hard to sell a bottle, right?

So, wow, it was just like a lot. And to know words and make your brain work again so differently, reestablish your muscle memory of learning. That's what we need to do, right? So we need to keep evolving to keep ourselves young and vibrant and just not static, you know, more, okay, let's keep the flower blooming. So I studied and I met with her main people

that she works with through a lab that works with just medical doctors and medical spas. And so I got that opportunity because of her to use and guide myself through some of the products that were going to be in some of those. And then I leaned into doing some of my own based on what I was learning. And that's how HEDA was born. And did I have a lot of ups and downs,

mistakes and things as an entrepreneur to finally figure it out by actually doing it myself, that person that believed and why, because I knew I could do it myself versus depending on people. So that's how it gained so much more momentum because I went and I looked at people in social media who knew what they were talking about and I said hey can you check my product out

because there's a million skincare lines out there right like a lot and it was a very hard business to start and with that this one amazing esthetician after three months said what's in here I I love it. So she teased it and it went really big, but then she talked about it and it went so viral. That's how Hito became the brand that it is today and still moving up. So it just took me to figure it out instead of depending on marketing companies and you know, maybe down the road that can happen because I'm more established. But when you're trying to establish a brand, they don't know what I know.

So I just ended up doing it myself. That's amazing. And the brand is amazing. The products are amazing. You have products for all everything, you know, there's a science to what you do, which is what I love about it. And I want to hit on a couple of things that you mentioned because everyone thinks entrepreneurship is easy.

Right, so I've got this idea and I've got X number of followers on social or I know X amount of people and it's just gonna sell. Life in entrepreneurship doesn't work that way. Like what were those moments for Christie when it was like, I got to dig deep, or this isn't going to be what I thought it was going to be? And then I'd also love to know how you pushed through those moments. Well, exactly.

Entrepreneurship is not easy. It's nice to be your own boss, but at the same time, you never stop 24-7. You know, and it's a constant up and down, like mistakes are made, but then you pick yourself back up. It's never over. So there's never a vacation. There's never anything that, you know, just can say, I can take a little time. It's a thousand percent 24-7.

I'm getting emails at one in the morning and I'm answering them because I'm like, whoa, I need to answer this, you know, so it's just never ends. And my particular brand is very personable. I want that personal touch to it that most brands don't have in terms of skincare. I'm on Zooms, I'm on FaceTimes, I'm texting people back and forth. It's like, that doesn't happen in the skincare industry. So that's another great thing about me being more one-on-one with anybody that has anything to do with keto. But entrepreneurship,

again, is just like, you take a lot of beatings. And if you are willing to, you know, rise above them, which sometimes seems almost impossible, it's frustrating. It's like, you know, you just don't think you can make one more mistake and it, you know, it can go down. But with those mistakes, you learn and you grow and you build from experience no matter what. So you have to just take the punches, take a deep breath, go through your frustrations in the way that you as a person does. I mean, Darius, who's my partner and has been doing a HEDO with me for the last, you know, five years, I started it sort of on my own and then he

helped me. He's my calm person to just say, it's going to be okay. You know, because that because of me, because I want everything to be perfect, sometimes it's just not. And so you got to figure out if it's not perfect, just make it be the best non-perfect it is at the moment and then make it better. That's awesome. You know, again, the resiliency that you have and all throughout your career, right? Because even the dance and the choreography,

that's not easy, right? Because there's hundreds, you're going to tell me there's thousands of dancers and choreographers, but you've had this ability to always rise to the occasion, to always be the star. And again, it takes business smarts, it takes charisma, it takes grit. Like for Christy and your journey from dancer, choreographer to where you are now, like what are some of the things that you're proud of through that journey that, again, not that you just overcome, but the things that you fought for, the things you stood up for, and that led you

to get to where you are now? Oh, this is great. Okay, so first of all, being 5'2", and being a dancer in LA is just like, no. Like even to go up for like any kind of movie role in terms of a dance, like say Grease 2, or you know, Solid Gold Dancer, I went up for all any kind of movie role in terms of a dance like say Grease 2 or you know Solid Gold Dancer. I went up for all that stuff and you know just the start out saying 5'7 and above or you

know it wasn't going to be me. So I had to find a way to break through what I have as a talent and make it my own and so you, I was auditioning in that for acting stuff at the time, but I had dance on my resume and I was doing Days of Our Lives at the time. And they're like, they called me and they said, can you be here in 30 minutes? I'm like, I was like, I'll be there as fast as I can.

And I then I choreographed for daytime TV for 30 years. But it's the magic that happens because of putting it on your resume and being ready. But that became my niche as more choreographer, you know, so that I could still dance some things. But, you know, when it came to a course, you just had to be the same height as everybody else. So I found a way to do my dance career through my choreography. And then my choreography led me to more individual dancing, you know, so I could be like, I don't want to say the star, but in a different role, like when it was a ski show, and they have all these beautiful dancing models, and then there's me. So I became the like, the needle

through the string of the show as the main character and danced certain things in that. So I found a way to make a detriment of my height and being a dancer to pretty much being able to work my whole career in dance. That's awesome. What are some things in dance and choreography that the average person like me doesn't know or doesn't see? Because I know there's a lot behind the scenes. I know there's a lot in practice.

And like, what are some of the things that we, the casual person, doesn't even see that now we can go look? We're athletes. This is, like I said earlier, it's an instrument here. And we, you know, you have to train every day. And it's very precise. And it's very, you know, repetition, like dance is repetition. And what we go through to be the professional dancers that we are, it's a skill that is like no other. And people don't realize that that's pretty much an athlete. And I think that's key to what people don't realize when they watch. And when it looks

so easy, it's when it's really hard, but they make it look easy. So that's one thing. And then other people don't think that in movies or even daytime television, there's scenes that have dance, but it's not really thrown at you, but it's a choreographed piece that makes it look romantic or in every movie, there's some kind of choreography.

In daytime TV, there's choreography, but people people, oh, there's choreography in daytime? Like who does that? You know, but there's many, many scenes that are done that dance brings out the romance in a scene. And so people don't understand that either. So that's two different like aspects of dance, you know, and what people don't really realize. That's awesome. You're so amazing in everything that you do.

And you're a person that I always says has a ton of wisdom and insights and actionable steps for people. So for the listener or viewer right now, Christy, that, you know, they're fighting something or they're at a challenge and they need that grit, that determination to get through it, whatever it is, whether you're a CEO and they need that grit, that determination to get through it, whatever it is, whether you're a CEO and it's like, how do I take that next step or even in your personal life and it's like, I've had consecutive bad days. How

do I see the light? What's some advice that you have for people? Well, first of all, I'm going to say it to myself, okay? Because you just think things are going to go a certain way and when they don't, you have to understand there's always a reason why and we don't want to really accept that reason. But we can take that of what we feel and maybe not feeling good about it and find a way to overcome what you didn't think was going to happen and yourself better. Like, let's take this roadblock or this thing that just did not happen for us or the way that we wanted things to end in a result.

We need to take that and say there's a reason, but I'm going to figure that out to become and be better than that decision that could have been. And maybe it wasn't gonna be as great as it is when we figure out what we want to do after that, that didn't come our way. It could be 10 million times better. So we have to look at that and say, okay, okay, we're going to be okay, you know, and figure out a way to rise above any obstacle. Because life is short. Life is real short. And we're not here very long. So I have to tell myself that every day too,

because when I get down or upset, you just want to find that saying, what's the point? And that's what Darius does for me. It's going to be OK. Just keep moving. It's OK. And so when you're with somebody that can help you with that, that's good. So anybody that's, you know, that you need a friend, or something

to tell, because we kind of hold it inside, we kind of just think that sometimes we think that we're the we can just handle it, but I'll figure it out within. But sometimes it's okay to reach out to people and get it out. Because in that way, it's spoken, and it's not just keep going on in here. And you can just become less stressed about anything that isn't really working out for us. Agree, agree.

One of the things that I know about you is you have a very tight circle, right? You talk about Darius and the ability to get feedback there. And I know you have other people in your circle, right? You know, you talk about Darius and the ability to get feedback there. And I know you have other people in your circle, whether it's business partners, close friends, whatever. I'd love for you to talk about that, the power of having the right circle, and more importantly, evaluating that circle. Because, you know, just because someone's in the circle today, doesn't mean that they stay there I mean they should but sometimes you know life is life and people show you different things

But I'd love for Christy bus to talk about the power of circle. That's really interesting. I like that You know we grow and our minds grow and so sometimes Other people stay stagnant in their thoughts and then that way that circle could change and that's okay. So a good circle of people, good friends can always be there and I think that we need that. But sometimes when you're trying to hold on to something that just isn't really giving you any extra positivity or any growth maybe it's time to move on. You know what I'm saying? That circle can be different. Like we don't need to just keep that same person around if it's time to move on. You know what I'm saying? That circle can be different. Like we don't need to just keep that same person around if it's not fulfilling us the way we want to be fulfilled.

But at the same time, there's still people that, you know, I've had since grade school, high school, that are still a big part of my life that don't have to talk to me every day. But when we do get together, it's like so meaningful. So there's different levels of a circle right and I mean I do need people around me and that's another thing that you know after this party that I have to keep the momentum going for the project that I want to do and you have to keep pushing people like okay yeah let's have lunch today

let's do this tomorrow like instead of saying, we'll do it next week. No, but that circle pushes you to keep on point. It gives you that mindset of, I'm not gonna just let time go by when we can get stuff done now. That helps. That's amazing. That's amazing. You always have so much going on

and you're getting it done, right? As you always say, what does Christie have coming up? Like, what do you want the audience and viewers to know? done, right? As you always say. What does Christy have coming up? What do you want the audience and viewers to know? What's next for Christy or what's current for Christy? Okay, well, keto is doing very well and we want to take it to another level, but I still want to do it correctly, organically, and not just sell it out. It's just not me. I want to build keto in the best best possible way as organically as possible. Like not push it on people, but let them figure it out to try it and love it and then go from there. So that's going to grow Hito. But like I said, I'm keeping bringing up this amazing party

that I had. And that's why I'm so glad I'm able to talk to you now versus in January, because you know, this party that I had was for people to understand the story that I want to tell and inspire women, women power. You know, we have to have a voice and it's still not here yet. It's still not here yet. And women need to support women and it's still not there. So that's a big deal for me and I want people to have a voice. As the All American Woman, I want to tell my story. I want to show how I've gotten to be where I'm at today based on this little contest that I won that was on national TV on ABC 46 years ago. But what do I do with that title? Like I've done nothing with it really for 46 years, but it's time to create

and build on that to be the one and only all-American woman. And now who is the all-American woman of today? Let's tell stories about that. Maybe not have another all-American woman because everybody's so uniquely different and everybody is one, but to tell a story for each individual that needs to be told that they are the all-American woman, you know, and that's very, very important to me. So I can't wait to tell that story. And seeing somebody like me and even as, you know, your best and most famous, you know, celebrity that you just love, right? We all have problems. We all have ups and downs. We all have issues We all have things that you do to everybody has the same problems if it's in family, you know

Business whatever it is and we need to show that we are just like everybody else You know and so to tell that story too to say it's all good because you're not the only one And so to tell that story too, to say it's all good because you're not the only one. We all go through it. And that's another level of enlightenment that I want to bring out because storytelling is very, very good for the soul. And to inspire, sometimes we only want to see darkness and a lot of documentaries are based on sadness or darkness. And that's what people get into. But what's wrong with finally seeing an inspirational, more uplifting, more powerful kind of story or documentary

that can just really change the world, which we definitely need right now. So that's gonna be my big deal. So I wanna tell my story in a book, in a documentary, and lead that to more conferences, more gatherings of women and empowering them as well as men, right? Because when I spoke at this event and some guy came up to me that it's my best friend's fiance and he goes, you know, you uplifted me today to understand what my fiance, you

know, the pressure that I put on her to help me raise my kids and that you taught me that I need to have her somewhat being empowered by what she's doing versus versus just that's what you do, right? When you become, you know, involved with a different family dynamic, it's just assumed that you're gonna just take over and help, right? You know, you need to acknowledge that and give some strength to that, to that person. So he was so inspired by that.

So it made me feel so good, because it's like, you get it. Yeah, yeah, absolutely, absolutely. So again, I'm gonna go rapid fire with Christy Bush. Okay, I'm ready. All right. So your favorite team that you dance for? The favorite team that I dance for? Okay, I would say, well, I only dance for two teams. So, right. So which one was your favorite?

I would say the Rams. Only because I did eight USO tours all over the world while I was with the Rams. So I would say the Los Angeles Rams. Awesome. Your favorite movie or TV set that you were the head that you choreographed, what's your favorite? Okay, that would be days of our lives. It was when I did Bowen Holt's wedding dance. It was amazing.

They got married a lot of times and I did a couple of them, but I had one that was my Valentine that was just amazing. Yeah, I know more about Days of Our Lives than I actually should know. Like there were multiple Bo's and Hopes too, right? Exactly. On the show, like not the actors, but like multiple Bo's and Hopes.

Yes, there was a lot of, well, there was definitely a couple Bo's and a lot of hoops, yeah. Yeah, who's an actor or actress that could really dance that you were surprised by? Well, I wasn't really surprised, but she only was a skater, and that's Christine Alfonso, but she knows what she's doing when she moves.

So I was very, very, it was so easy to work with her, for sure. That was hope, my favorite hope. Yeah, yes. Who's an actor or actress that just has no rhythm? Now, I'm going to say, okay, I'm going to be honest with you. And he would tell you that, yes, Christy's right.

And his name's Galen. He was on Passions, Galen. So I forget the part that he played, but he was the, it was a big storyline. But Galen was the one that just, he just did not like me. He's like, oh, God. He or she is again. I don't want to do this.

I'm like, come on, Galen, do it. And then he would look so good doing it. So it was fun. It was good. But yeah, couldn't dance. So on a Saturday morning when Christie's like, you know, in the kitchen, making breakfast or whatever, and like you're in your groove and you're feeling it,

what type of music is Christie listening to? Oh, current R&B. Okay. Current R&B is all the way. Okay. I play it every time. Alexis, play current R&B hits, always. There we go, I play it every time. Alexis, play current R&B hits always. There we go.

I love it. What is Christy most proud of in your life? Wow. That's interesting. I'm proud of the fact that when I was 19, after I won the All American Women, I came out to California all by myself, all alone, just me. And I found my way and I did it. Yeah, you did it. That's your motto, right?

You know, cause a lot of people come here and get down a path that's not good. So I'm so blessed, blessed that when I came out here, good things happened. Yeah, that's amazing. That's amazing. Chris, I could talk to you all day. Like I said, you're one of my favorite people,

very inspirational, very funny, right? Like I love some of your reels and everything. And now that I know Saturday morning, you're listening to R&B, all right, I'm gonna give you a call. We're gonna jam together then. Okay, okay. I like it. Cool.

So where can people follow you? Where do you want people to connect with you? Well, I'm on obviously Instagram at Christy C. Bus, I think, Christy C. Bus. And then I have my skincare line, Hito Skin on TikTok and on Instagram. On YouTube, I'm ChristyCurtisBus. And I don't know what else there is,

if there is anything else. Hedo.co. Hedo.co. Yeah, Hedo.co. Well, you know that name. Yeah, we'll have links to everything and the show notes in the description. Christy, truly honored and humbled that you took a moment to join us today. Thank you.

I'm so grateful for you. I'm just thankful. And I think that you have a soul that everybody should be able to at least listen to and also maybe one day get that opportunity to meet and speak with you too. So I appreciate that. Christy Bust just made my day. Look at that.

You're amazing, Christy. I appreciate you. I appreciate you. Thank you for having me. Absolutely. And for all the viewers and listeners, remember your because is your superpower. Go unleash it.

Thank you for tuning in to Make Unplugged. Keep pushing your limits, embracing your purpose, and chasing greatness. Until next time, stay unstoppable.