“It’s very humbling to receive such award, especially given the other amazing Local Business People that were nominated” Amanda said.

“It’s a massive personal honour of course, but also reflects the amazing team that we have here at Dance Sensations.”

Amanda grew up in Kiama, started Dance Sensations Kiama as a 16 year-old high school student in 2001 with about 30 students and one teacher.

The business has been constantly growing ever since, expanding to a second location in Addison St Shellharbour in 2015.

With more than 750 students through the door every week, Dance Sensations is now the largest Dance Studio south of Sydney.

There are now 20 staff members working together in the Dance Sensations Family.

One of the biggest changes over the years has been that Dance Sensations is now more of a family affair for Amanda, with husband Nathan working full-time in the business, daughter’s Zali (5) and Gigi (3) doing classes and newborn Saskia (8 weeks) already being in and around the studio most days.

“I’m totally in awe of what she does” Nathan said.

“To take the business to the level it is today is amazing in itself. But to have had such large growth in the last five years – while having three children is inspiring”.

Baby Saskia was in hospital on the night of the awards.

“Saskia is on the mend which is the main thing, and of course I would have loved to be there, but thanks again to my team for accepting on my behalf,” Amanda said.

Despite being a vastly different business that it was when she started, Amanda sees that the core values of Dance Sensations haven’t changed.

“We make dancing a fun place to be for the students and an easy activity to organise for the parents,” she said.

Amanda credits her parents, Michele and Bruce Lay with instilling a passion for business in her.

“Dance Sensations definitely wouldn’t be where it is today without their support over their years,” she said.