Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Alicia Sloan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dr. Alicia, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I didn’t have a strong village growing up. My familial support was minimal to non-existent. To top that off, I was bullied in school from the 1st through the 11th grade. However with all of that, I always wanted to be great, accomplished. I have always been ambitious and wanted to be involved with everything so eventually I’d be able to look back, see what I did, and be able to pat myself on the back. I don’t know where it came from, but I learned to lean on myself a lot. That developed my sense of stoicism. Very little bothers me. It sometimes amazes people how calm I am in very hectic situations. I own a dance studio, so there’s 50 little dancers running around, and my parent volunteers are always overwhelmed. I have developed a community of respect, discipline, and fun. I walk in a room full of chaos and the only words I say is “FRIENDS, can you hear me?” The room always falls dead silent. I say whatever else I need to say for next steps and then everyone moves on. Parents are always like, “how’d you do that”. It’s something that I have developed and streamlined over the last several years.
I am very patient, I have come to learn that everyone communicates differently, so if something is not going the way I think it should go, then I take blame with the way I am communicating. It’s an art that everyone doesn’t possess. That helps with my resilience.
Lastly, I have developed an understanding that the world is full of No’s. Many people are going to tell you “No”, but all you have to do is find someone that will say “Yes”, even if that person is yourself. I just either have to find the right opportunity, or I have to create it. So all in all, my patience, understanding of the world, my stoicism, and my childhood have all helped develop resilience.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My life is full of amazing opportunities. At least that’s what I always tell myself! Currently I own a performing arts center. We have two locations, one in Cleveland Heights, and the other is on the west side of Cleveland in Old Brooklyn. We teach dance and Spanish, and have been in operation since 2017. What I love most about our center is that we do more than teach classes. We are a community staple. Our dancers perform in many community events in the surrounding area. Our recreational dancers develop self-esteem, confidence, they overcome their anxiety and shyness, the build lasting friendships, the learn discipline, technique, form, they build and create memories. We are truly a family-oriented community. It goes beyond the dancers. Many of our parents build relationships outside of NOVA’s walls. It truly is a happy place.
Our season 6 is starting in the beginning of September. We have a lot of new students coming in, our old students are returning, and we are going to try to do a lot more this year. We try to get bigger and better every year! I think one of the most special things about us besides are family-oriented community is our pricing. We do not try to undercut the other studios in the area, but we do try to reach families that would love to take some classes, but typical studio fees are not feasible to them. We have served so many families in the greater Cleveland area, and that is one of the most fulfilling things I get from Nova’s Performing Arts Center.
I also teach at Kent State University in the Geography Department. I have some of the best students in the world. I learn from them just as much as they learn from me. It is very fulfilling to see that they learn from the things that I have to say. I honestly don’t know which job I like better, teaching at the University, or teaching at the Arts Center.
I do other things in my spare time. I am a workaholic, so there are a few other jobs that I have taken. For example, the biggest thing that I am doing behind teaching is that I am currently running for city council in University Heights. I have met so many people in the city and it has been a very exciting journey. I started of doing volunteer work in different boards, committees, and commissions. I love helping people, so I decided to go a step further and try to become an elected official. I am also a notary public, I own a research consulting firm, my Arts Center has a mobile division where I teach in daycares and schools, I am in the middle of a book contract, and I do a little acting from time to time. I feel that there is so much to do in life, that it’s only right to learn all I can and do all I can. I haven’t even spoken on my educational endeavors. I do a lot with that as well.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Being resilient, stoic, and patient. We live in a mean world, but we can get so much from it if you stay the course. You are going to hear a lot of “No’s” in life, but all you have to do is either find someone to say “yes”, or create the opportunity for yourself. Parents always tell kids that they can do anything they want in life, but as children grow up and become adults, they forget. We forget that as adults. I had to learn that early on because even though I felt I was doing the right things, I was never in the right place at the right time. So I started creating my own places. When I stopped looking and started doing my own things, opportunities started to find me. So work on being resilient when you get knocked down or rejected, stoic so that you’re okay with the result either way, and always have patience. Your time is coming!
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
I have a personal issue with helping as many people as I can. I take care of other people before I take care of myself. My center’s pricing is the lowest in the region, probably the state, and I have refused to raise my prices. However, enrollment bounces up and down. When it’s down, it’s rough, but I don’t want my families to suffer, so I suffer in silence sometimes. I always sit and plan, so that I can get new students, but it can be a vicious cycle. However, we have survived this long and we will continue to survive!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thenovapac.com
- Instagram: @novasperformingarts
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/novasperformingarts
