We recently connected with Alicia Sims and have shared our conversation below.
Alicia , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Risk is defined by Webster as the action of exposing someone or something valued to danger, harm or loss. It’s funny because after I shifted my primary financial stability platform to full time artistry, I realized I was actually taking more of a “risk” before the transition. Prior to the transition my primary source of income was my business, followed by my non-profit and occasionally supported by my artistry. As the business owner of Quad Solutions, LLC, I was successfully working in the business service fields I loved with subcontractors that were obtaining the freedom and income they deserved. Since the business was structured on a project basis only, we always had a revolving door of customers which created a new adventure almost every other month. As the founder of I Am Not Bulletproof, a non-profit missioned to help others find strength in vulnerability, I was thoroughly enjoying the workshops, events and relationships developed around often taboo subjects. Both of these financially stabling entities still left me at risk due to the loss of my love and passion for the arts. In 2023, I made the decision to reverse my stream of income and move the least producing to the primary position and vice versa. In order to prepare for this courageous move, I had to reduce expenses so I could start on a solid foundation. I decided to sell my house and use the profits to pay off all debt. Due to a medical transition in. my son’s life, I was able to move into a home that was purchased for his care while he recovered. I started building on the relationships that I already had in the arts. Eventually, I started migrated my artistry into my business and non-profit. I have also found an additional platform to advocate for the appreciation of creativity and the advancements to see it as a “real job” and not a side hustle. Although it’s only the second year, I have seen an enormous amount of beneficial returns in my financial stability, mental and physical health, emotional intelligence and spiritual grounding. I look forward to the years to come as a result of this vital shift in my life. My only regret is not doing it sooner!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Alicia “The UnCuT Diamond” Sims is a multidisciplinary artist gifted in vocals, performing arts, creative writing and visual arts. An uncut diamond is a stone that has not been shaped in any particular form by a professional cutter and has not undergone any polishing. The uncut diamond is constantly being refined until it produces the best reflection from its’ cutter. The UnCuT Diamond uses spiritual guidance, life experiences and mentored training to lead creative exhibitions that transform lives, communities and cultures…becoming both the diamond and the cutter! Never settling for successes to be final or failures to be fatal, The UnCuT Diamond uses each creative opportunity to present raw and authentic pieces of art. This open-minded artistry has allowed spaces for performances such as “Snatched” (Madame Walker Theatre) and “Stoops” (Theater at the Fort) directed by Deborah Asante, “Mama You’ve Let Us See Too Much” and “Not All Men Are Dogs” (both VTV Productions) directed by Tikilia Martin and Toshia Howard, “Good People” directed by James Lamonte, “Fly Babies” directed by Melissa Devito and Matt Spurlock (both Buck Creek Players), “Your Love Will Be Judged” (Onyxfest/IndyFringe) directed by Gabrielle Patterson and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (NAATC) directed by Edan Evans. Alicia is the published author of “Resilient Faith”, a memoir about rejection and rebellion. The UnCuT Diamond is a recipient of the 2022 Best Supporting Artist in a Drama (Encore Awards), 2022-2023 Creative Renewal Fellowship (Indy Arts Council), 2023 On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Fellowship and 2023 Lifelong Arts Award (both Indiana Arts Commission). When Alicia is not using her creative gifts, she loves spending time with family and friends and traveling, especially with her mother, cousins, four beautiful children, daughter in love and handsome grandson! The UnCuT Diamond loves to create safe spaces for audiences to freely explore the “why” behind challenging topics to discover foundational truths that stabilize personality and lead to confident, vibrant lives!! After all, this is what her artistry has done for her!
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
In my view, society can learn to value and accept creatives as much as they have Artificial Intelligence. The role of AI allows one to relieve critical thinking and self-expression in articulating a message, crafting an image or relaying a message. These are natural instincts of creatives! The same ecosystem areas of focus that AI is being infused are opportunities for creatives. Creatives can write amazing grants, tell stories, strategically plan events, product launches, and business improvements. Creatives can provide live or stimulated educated experiences that closely relate to how modern day students learn. Creatives can provide interactive engagements for professional developments and trainings that have proven to result in retainable learning experiences. Creatives are instrumental in obtaining data from research and statistical forums, by allowing a relatable experience that stimulates the brain to give the most honest and authentic responses. The overwhelming benefits of therapuetic outcomes that creatives provide is too great to list! The undeniable contributions of creatives to societal functions is apparent and essential. The history of appreciation for the creative has prodominently been given to entertainment and while this is certainly a component of artistry, it is only one component. I believe, the appreciation for all the possibilities would greatly affect the financial support for creatives. Most creatives currently “double” as someone else to make a sustainable living, but this stifles the “juices” that make a creative great! If given full economic support, creatives could give full artistic results! I have transferred these benefits to my for profit business Quad Solutions, LLC, which connects creatives to clients looking for administrative, resource development and management, professional development and multimedia and design services. www.quadsolutionsllc.com!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the “aha” moments that audiences discover. There is nothing more satisfying about the revelations and self-reflections that lead to liberation and joy. I understand that some topics and explorations cause triggers and emotional breakthroughs that may be challenging to visit, but recognizing these areas is critical to changing them. The crucial step of leading audiences to follow-up with the empowerment of the ability to decide what they want to do with this newfound discovery is life changing. My standard of artistry only seeks opportunities to both unveil and address these areas. It’s a chaotically beautiful experience!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theuuncutdiamond.com, www.quadsolutionsllc.com
- Instagram: the_uncutdiamond
- Facebook: the uncut diamond
- Youtube: The UnCuT Diamond/Alicia Sims
Image Credits
Michaela Duerson
Desaray Slusher
Crystal Irorobeje
Indy Ghost Light