Transcript of Christy Buss | From Last-Minute Choreography to CEO: Christy Buss Reflects on Her Journey

Your because is that thing that's like, all right, I gotta get up and still do it. What's Christy's?

Because 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.

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 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 make yourself better.

Welcome to Mick Unplugged, where we ignite.

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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. Christie Buss. Christy, how you doing today?

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. 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 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, on Make Unplug Christie, 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 like, all right, I gotta 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 want to 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 and the first and only All American Woman 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. 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 this, 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. So that's my. Because does that make sense to you?

Not only does it make sense, but it resonates. You know, like, same thing. I made a promise to my mom and sisters 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 Christie just figures it out, right? Like, 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 1 years old in 1979.

No, 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.

Okay.

And when you follow Christie, you'll know what I'm saying. Not a day over 27 is Christie Buss.

Just so you know, I wish, I wish people can be 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'll take that one.

Absolutely, absolutely. And so I think I actually wanna go there because again, knowing the things that I know about you, Founder Skincare is something that you totally believe in. And you have one of the most amazing product lines out there. So let's talk about Hito for.

Okay, well, first of all, it, 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, you know, 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. I couldn't pay the rent. And you know, 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 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, transport 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, you know, 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 let 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, you know, 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, 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 min own based on what I was learning. And that's How HIDA was born and did I have a lot of ups and downs, you know, mistakes and things as an entrepreneur, to finally figure it out, you know, by actually doing it myself, that person that believed. And why? Because I knew I could do it myself versus depending on people, you know.

And 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 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 Guto 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. 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 going to 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 push 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 1 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, like, I want that personal touch to it that most brands don't have. In terms of skincare, I'm on zooms. I'm on, you know, 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, you know, me being more one on one with anybody that has anything to do with he. 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 he 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 in 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, for Christie and your journey from dancer, choreographer to where you are now, like, what are some of the things that, 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 five, two 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 that stuff and, you know, just these 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 know, 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. It's the. It's the. It's the magic that happens because of putting it on your resume and being ready. But that became. My niche is 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 this. The needle through the string of the show as the main character and danced certain things in that. So I found a way to, you know, make a detriment of my height and being a dancer, to, like, 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. That's one thing. And then other people don't think that in movies or even daytime television, there's scenes that, you know, have dance, but it's not really, you know, thrown at you, but it's. 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, oh, there's choreography in daytime. Like, who does that? You know, but there's. There's many, many scenes that are done that. That dance brings out the romance in a scene. And so people don't understand that either. So there's. 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, insights, and actionable steps for people. So for the listener reviewer right now, Christie, that 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 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? Like, what's some advice that you have for people?

Well, first of all, I'm going to say it to myself, okay. Because, you know, you just think. 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 make yourself better. Like, let's take this roadblock or this, you know, 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 was, could have been. And maybe it wasn't going to be as great as it is when we figure out what we want to do after that, that it 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, you know, I have to tell myself that every day, too, you know, because when I get down or upset. Like, you know, you just want to find that saying, what's the point? You know? And that's what dairy's does for me. Like, it's going to be okay. Like, just keep moving. It's okay. 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. Because we kind of hold it inside. We kind of just think that sometimes we think that we're. That we can just handle it, but I'll figure it out within. But sometimes it's okay to reach out to people and. And get it out, because then that way it's spoken and it's not just keep going on in here. And you can just become, you know, less stressed about anything that isn't really working out for us.

Agree. One of the things that I know about you is you have a very tight 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 Christie Buss 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 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, 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, oh, we'll do it next week. No, but that circle pushes you to keep, you know, on point. It gives you that, you know, mindset of, I'm not going to 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 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's 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 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 keep bringing up this amazing party that I had, and that's why I'm so glad 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 they're still. 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, too. 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. 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 going to be my big deal. So I want to 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 that is awesome. Versus just that's what you do. Right. When you become involved with different family dynamic, it's just assumed that you're going to 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 danced for. Okay. I would say. Well, I only danced 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.

Ooh.

That's when I did Bo and 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 in the. 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 bows and hopes, too, right?

Exactly.

On the show, like, not. Not the actors, but, like, multiple bows and hopes.

Yes. There was a lot of. Well, there was definitely a couple bows and a lot of hopes. 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 Christian 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 need 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, she couldn't do it, huh? Here 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 Christy listening to?

Oh, current R and B.

Okay.

Current R and B is all the way.

Okay.

I play every time. Alexis play current R and 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 Woman, 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, because 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. Chrissy. I could talk to you all day.

You're.

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 and B. All right, I'm going to give you a call. We're going to jam together there.

Okay? Okay. I like that.

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, Heo Skin on Tik Tok and on Instagram, on YouTube. I'm Christy Curtis Bus. And I don't know what else there is. If there is anything else.

Heo co. Yeah, he dot com.

You know that.

Yeah. We'll have links to everything in the show, notes in description. Christie, truly honored and humbled that you took a moment to join us today.

I'm so grateful for you. I'm just thankful and I think that you have a soul that everybody should, you know, 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.

Christie Bus 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.