By the founder of Chapter19, Keira Bickley | A story about growth, risk, and writing your next chapter
I’ve spent most of my life inside a dance studio. The mirrors, the music, the repetition — it’s where I’ve grown up, where I’ve learned who I am. Training became my everything. It shaped me, challenged me, and gave me some of the biggest wins of my life. From long nights spent fine-tuning choreography, to standing on the competition floor as a Double World and Double European Champion — that world was familiar. It was my comfort zone.
But as with everything in life, there comes a moment when something shifts. When you realise that growth doesn’t happen in the familiar — it happens when you lean into the unknown.
The Shift in Mindset
That moment came for me on my 19th birthday. I found myself reflecting not just on the last year, but on my entire journey so far. I’ve always been someone who sets goals, pushes limits and thrives off structure. But something inside me was craving more. Not in terms of busyness — life was already full. I was teaching at three dance schools, performing, choreographing, training, and coaching. But I needed a new challenge. Something that scared me. Something that would force me to grow.
So, I stepped outside of my comfort zone and decided to become a business owner. Just like that, Chapter19 was born.
Fear Meets Focus
Launching a brand with zero experience in business was terrifying. I had all the passion in the world, but I’d never designed a collection, sourced materials or set up a store. But I knew one thing for sure — dancers like me needed better clothing. We needed training wear that could handle 12-hour days. Something reliable, sustainable, and stylish. I knew what the industry was missing because I had lived in it my whole life.
What started as an idea became a project. And that project quickly became a purpose.
Leaving behind what you know doesn’t mean forgetting where you came from. It means carrying everything you’ve learned into something new. I didn’t stop being a dancer or a teacher — I just added a new chapter to my story.
What I’ve Gained
Since taking that leap, I’ve gained so much more than I expected. Confidence, resilience, creative freedom. But more importantly, I’ve found a new way to connect with dancers. Chapter19 isn’t just a brand — it’s a reflection of the life I’ve lived, the people I’ve met, and the stories we’re all still writing.
It’s about showing up, trusting the process, and knowing that growth always lives just beyond your comfort zone.
If you’re standing at the edge of something new — take the step. You’re more ready than you think.