We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alicia Aragon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alicia below.

Alright, Alicia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

At Nexus SLO, we’ve built something that intentionally strays from the traditional dance studio mold. In most studios, the focus is on perfection, performance, and competition. But at Nexus, we’re not here to create champions—we’re here to create connection. Our mission is to use dance as a vehicle for belonging, joy, and human interaction, and that means our classes and socials are designed to be welcoming, low-pressure, and community-first.

One of the biggest ways we diverge from the industry standard is by centering social connection over technical mastery. That might sound counterintuitive in the dance world, where clean lines and precision often take center stage. But I’ve seen firsthand how someone’s life can change simply by being welcomed into a room, asked to dance, and made to feel seen. That’s the real magic, (imho :))

After a major flood damaged our studio just nine months into opening, our students showed up—not just to mop floors or move furniture—but to hold space for each other. We had no floors, no mirrors, and still, people kept coming. Because for them, Nexus wasn’t just a dance space. It was their chosen family. That’s when I realized: what we were building went beyond dance. We weren’t rebuilding a studio. We were rebuilding a community hub.

We also break norms by offering things like “Practical Dancing”—classes focused on real-world movement and fun instead of flashy patterns—and line dancing nights that attract grandparents, teens, and toddlers all dancing together. We’re not trying to be fancy. We’re trying to be real. That difference matters, especially in a small town where people are craving connection more than choreography.

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.

Hi! I’m Alicia Aragon, a Latina entrepreneur, mom of twins, and founder of Nexus SLO—an adult dance studio in San Luis Obispo, California. We’re a community space built on the belief that movement can connect people across age, background, and experience.

When I opened Nexus in 2022, I wanted to create the kind of space I wished had existed when I first walked into a dance class—welcoming, non-judgmental, and FUN.

At Nexus, we offer private lessons, group dance classes (like salsa, bachata, swing, ballroom, line dancing, and more), social events, dance fitness, and wedding prep. But what we really offer is connection, confidence, and community. We solve a unique kind of problem: so many adults feel isolated, stiff, or self-conscious in their bodies. Our space invites them to move, laugh, flirt, belong, and be themselves—whether they’re dancing for the first time or rediscovering it after decades away.

What sets us apart is that we don’t just teach steps—we teach how to belong. There’s no pressure to perform, no hierarchy of talent. You’ll find college students dancing with retirees, professionals laughing with beginners, and toddlers jumping around at our Family Line Dance class. We’ve had people show up solo and walk out with new friends—and, in some cases, new relationships.

What I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built. In just a few years—and despite massive setbacks – we’ve become a hub for joy and togetherness. People tell me all the time that Nexus “feels different.” That’s not by accident. We’ve worked hard to build a space that feels like home.

If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s this: You don’t need to be a dancer to dance. You just need a space that makes you feel welcome. That’s what Nexus is all about.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the hardest moments in this journey came just nine months after opening. We installed the dance floor piece by piece—with help from my brother, cousins, and even my kids. We literally built this dream from the ground up with our own hands. It wasn’t just a floor—it was a symbol of every ounce of love, sacrifice, and hope I had poured into this space.

So, when a sudden flood hit and destroyed everything—warped the floors, soaked the walls, left the studio in ruins—it was devastating. I walked in and saw puddles where people used to spin, dance shoes floating where joy used to live. It felt like everything we had worked so hard for was washed away overnight.

There were moments I truly didn’t know how I was going to keep going. I had poured so much of myself into that studio—not just financially, but emotionally. To have it ripped apart so early on felt like the universe was asking me, Are you sure you want this?

But then something happened. The community showed up. People brought fans, towels, tools, and—most importantly—themselves. Students came to help clean, instructors offered to teach in parking lots and borrowed spaces, and people kept showing up—not just for the dancing, but to keep the spirit of Nexus alive.

That’s when I realized: the magic of Nexus was never the floor. It was the people. The flood tested us, but it also revealed our strength. It reminded me that we were never just building a business—we were building something that could weather storms, literally and figuratively.

That chapter taught me that resilience doesn’t always look strong. Sometimes it looks like crying in your car, wiping your face, and then going inside to teach class anyway. And sometimes, it looks like your whole community showing up to rebuild with you.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

My business is completely self-funded. I used years of savings and credit cards to startup and prayed for people to show up! Thankfully, we had some great community support and started strong.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nexusslo.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nexusslo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nexusSLO
• Youtube: @NexusSLO