Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kaime Sherman, Founder of Academy of Imagination & Dramatic Arts | AiDa, located in Hamilton, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Mission-driven arts education where access to the arts is not a privilege but a right for all ages and where diversity, inclusivity, and social change are key.
My vision is through imagination, contagious enthusiasm, perseverance, and determination. We can make the community more engaged and immersive through mentorship and youth and artist initiatives to promote arts excellence and appreciation.
I have created innovative and interactive programming for student (from preschool to post-secondary) organizations and entrepreneurs to seniors.
Through creativity and innovation, I have generated and built partnerships in the community on all levels. These partnerships enrich the very fabric of our community and engage many who would not otherwise embrace the arts.
There are so many benefits to acting. It improves soft skills necessary to be successful in life in all professions.
AiDa is limitless to any age gap. It is for everyone.
Tell us about yourself
I have had a steadfast purpose my entire life of bringing my passion and love of the arts to others, as I know how much they helped me overcome shyness, develop leadership skills and find my voice.
As a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and a member of The Actor’s Society, I was mentored by extraordinary instructors who, under their direction, taught me to strive to always become the best version of myself through acting.
It was an incredible journey of practical learning through creative expression and self-discovery. Truly life-changing.
As a Drama Coach, I wanted to be able to give back what I had gained from working with many of the greats in theatre, film, and television.
As an actor, author, and mentor (acting, speaking, creativity, life) coach, the greatest joy has been in giving back and paying forward knowledge gained.
Along the way, it has been an incredible experience and humbling to be acknowledged by peers and the community for my work and contribution to the community.
In fact, it was in 2015, when I was the recipient of the YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Arts & Culture, that sparked my dream and gave me the courage to create the Academy of Imagination & Dramatic Arts (AiDa).
I sought out mentors to improve my skills and asked a lot of questions. In our community, we are lucky to have in our Economic Development Office a division to assist entrepreneurs.
It is called Starter Company. I started out with them as an entrepreneur learning and have since been mentoring for the arts since 2016.
I have even given back, helping new entrepreneurs through a Public Speaking Workshop, instructing them in elevator pitches, and developing listening and communication skills to relate to customers.
I love helping to guide individuals to become their personal best to become successful in life and career.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being recognized in our community for my contribution to our arts community has been a heart-hugging moment. It has been one of my greatest achievements to be nominated each year since 2017 for The City of Hamilton Arts Awards as a creator and arts innovator.
Making the shortlist and being recognized by our mayor has been humbling.
It affirms that what I am doing is helping make a difference in our community. It warms my heart! Another “aha moment” is when people say they have heard of my business by word of mouth, Google, or social media!
In the beginning, I worked hard to get the business branded and for people to notice. Now, people are seeking me out! It reaffirms that what I am doing does matter!
Seeing individuals develop confidence and overcome the fear of public speaking is awe-inspiring for me! I have a Youth Initiative for secondary students to volunteer and assist me in my classes and camps to have the opportunity to earn community service credit.
It is simply wonderful seeing why you develop into incredible leaders and mentors!
The program has been so successful that I create JR Mentor Leaders for kids 13 to bridge the age gap from student to leader!
My other initiative is to support local artists! I invite them to become Guest Artist Mentors to inspire others. I have even had local Olympians guest to deliver the message to students “that dreams come true when you work hard enough!”
One of my greatest joys was instructing a Creativity Workshop for McMaster University’s Engineering Department! The goal was to bridge the gap of implicit biases and be able to have departments collaborate. It was amazing to see Ph.D. and graduate students laugh and play through improvisation learning skills and discover their artistic side!
Their laughter was contagious!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things to learn as a business owner is never to give up! Things get hard a lot! Whether it is a pandemic, where we all have to pivot and figure out ways to either stay in business or reinvent our business to navigate through to better times, perseverance is key!
Stay true to your business plan. Stay true to yourself! Hang in there!
Sometimes, we have to do jobs we may not like until we can get to do what we love!
Like the old adage, “do what you have to until you can do what you want to do!”
The example that I always think about is Kurt Warner. He went from college NFL wanna-be in 1994 to supermarket staffer to Super Bowl Winner in 2000 because he never gave up on his dream!!!
If you are truly passionate about what you want to achieve, you will do it!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
⭐️Find your passion and purpose!
⭐️Don’t listen to those who say you can’t!
Create positive change in your thinking!
When you see the word “impossible,” the only thing standing in the way of “possible” is two letters, “I’m!” Rethink those letters into “I am possible!”
⭐️Never give up! Find a way!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.aidahamont.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AIDA.HamOnt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aida.hamont/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AidaHamont
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaime-sherman-aidahamont/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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