I am NOT the world's best bellydancer! ~ Dilara
But who Dilara is... well there's a lot to learn.

Dilara Sultan is one of us – a wife, a mother, an entrepreneur…a girl next door whose neighborhood happens to contain pretty much the whole world. Her journey through the world of Oriental dance is not unusual, starting out as entranced and earnest beginner. Yet her fascination with the form, the music, and the culture surrounding belly dance has lead her to discover new opportunities for the musicians, instructors, and dancers that enliven this ancient art. Through her network of companies, Dilara facilitates new relationships – reaching across global boundaries to forge collaborations that further expand and enrich the Oriental Dance community.

Even from the very beginning, she has always allowed her enthusiasm as a performer to spark new ideas that inform her professional work behind the scenes. While earning her degree in Mass Communications, she landed a job at a local Top 40 radio station. Climbing the ladder quickly, Dilara became an on-air personality and eventually the station’s promotion director.

The combination of behind-the-scenes savvy and on-air charisma lead Dilara to a second career as an actress, appearing in a wide range of commercials, infomercials, television series, and motion pictures both major and independent. “The larger the production,” she says with a smile, “the smaller my on-camera presence seemed to be. I was fine with that…but I do have one of the most famous left elbows in the industry!”
 
The uncommonly fortunate synergy that defined her career thus far took hold again, as a family vacation introduced her to belly dancing. “We were eating at a middle eastern restaurant,” she recalls, “and a band began to play. Soon the most beautiful dancer came out to entertain the crowd.  She was so graceful, so delightful, and I was in awe.  I turned to my husband and said, ‘That's what I want to be when I grow up!’ My family giggled – but that became a goal for me…”

She began the foundation for Hip Mix in 2007, one of her primary goals was to create an online social network that would help to introduce newcomers to belly dancing communities in their regions.

“Eventually," Dilara recalls, “belly dance became more of a priority to me, and the acting became secondary. Some people are surprised in that decision, but it was something that I am very happy with. As an actor, you are put into very competitive situations but it is the complete opposite in the world of Oriental dance and music.  I can go to a workshop with over 200 people in the room, and not know one person…but walk away from the workshop with 200 new friends.

“As I continued to study, I began to find some things in me that I had lost – an appreciation of who I am, an exploration of what I want, and a new respect for my body. My kids had begun school and my role of wife and mom was changing. With a little bit of me-time being added back into my life, I filled it with the positive energy that oriental dance gave me.”

From this, the persona of Dilara Sultan was born. Enthusiastic, charming, and unpretentious, Dilara is now the face of the Why Knot group of companies. Although she has studied belly dance around the world with great range of master instructors, Dilara retains the spark of wonder that first inspired her to enter the world of Oriental dance. As the head of Hip Mix, she has set about creating a hub for the belly dancing community – a one-stop resource where newcomers can seek out instruction in their respective towns and travelers can find venues and teachers in cities they are visiting.

“It has become a wonderful journey,” reflects Dilara. “I have met some amazing dancers along the way, and I am able to call each one a friend. I have met and learned from some of the best dancers in the USA, Germany, Turkey, the UK.  Now I am thrilled to apply this passion to help musicians and dancers all over the world to find the same fulfillment and growth – both personally and professionally – that I have experienced.”

 Jennifer Owens  After leaving a long time career in management to raise her 3 children, Jenn joined the Hip Mix team in 2007.  She wears many hats, but is best known as the Hip Mix Editor-In-Chief.  "She has been with me since the begining of the Hip Mix," says Dilara.  "Every twist and turn that my company has taken over the past 3 years as my dreams evolved, she stuck with me and helped them become a reality."   

Jenn adds, "For me it has been a great ride watching this team’s commitment to integrity and passion turn into such a Hip resource.”  In her down-time, Jenn loves to spending as much time as possible with her kids and husband.  Travel, camping and fishing top their "must-do" list.  “One of our favorite things to do while traveling, is to seek out museums, we love to spend hours immersed in different cultures and history. I think that is why I am so drawn to Hip Mix, I have an opportunity to research and discover different cultures, ideas and meet so many people around the world.” 

Amelia
I am a creative energy that loves to have my hands & mind busy. I enjoy working with people! That's sounds so corny but it is true. I have a natural love for all people. I want to watch people succeed and be happy in life. I am married to a great supportive guy who is polar opposite of me. He is quite and laid back! I am loud and feisty. We have three sweet children, Bella our dog, and 2 new rabbits. I am growing my own produce for the first time in my adult life. 

My professional background is rich with Fashion sales experience. I have worked in the fashion industry since 1990. I love designing, styling, and finding new artists and designers. I get excited about color. My freinds and family are shocked that I don't do the matchy matchy thing. There are no limits to blending colors for a great, completely polished look. I am so excited about designing Couture Costumes for HIPMIX! The options are endless. One of a kind styles that inspire and invoke. Ahh.. I think I  am in heaven. I am soon finding my love for Tribal Belly Dance. I think the costumes are so inspiring. Image is important and fun. Everyday we should be excited when imagining the possiblites for our wardrobes. I remember being so excited to go to school, because I was going to try a new look..."Fashion is a language we should all speak fluently!!" (yes it's my original)
-Amelia

You can follow Amelia on Twitter @AmeliaKaram