Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alicia Taylor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Alicia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
It was April of 2021. I took a train to NYC to celebrate my childhood best friend’s 40th birthday. It was my first solo trip away from my young kids since the start of the pandemic. Being laid off for 6 months with two kids under five had done a number on me. I was struggling with anxiety and depression and having a hard time finding joy. This trip was my moment to take a breath and try to reset. Heading to Flipper’s roller rink at Rockefeller Center was on the itinerary, and it was my first time putting on a pair of roller skates in over 20 years. I instantly fell in love. It was like rediscovering a missing piece of myself. The joy was transformative and so easily accessible. When I got back home to Vermont, I ordered my first pair of skates as a Mother’s Day gift to myself. I immediately felt called to introduce more people to the experience and build a community around it. I started collecting skates for a lending library and decided to host my first BIPOC skate night in March of 2022. I wasn’t sure if anyone would show up, but they did! It was a beautiful and joyful manifestation of my dream and the idea for Joy Riders VT was officially born.
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.
Honestly, a small business owner was never a title I thought I would have, but here we are! Sometimes life surprises you. At my core, I am a lifelong community builder. Joy Riders VT is one of the ways I help create a sense of connection and belonging for myself and others. I host roller skating events and fundraisers, roller dance classes, community drop-in sessions, and an afterschool program. I’m passionate about making the joy of roller skating accessible to more people, with a special focus on creating safe spaces by and for the Vermont BIPOC community. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Joy is an act of resistance that can help fuel the change we wish to see in our world. I’m excited to explore that in my work and discover how roller skating can support and uplift our collective liberation.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
My biggest lesson so far as a small business owner is to be persistent. I’ve been told no a lot, which can be discouraging! But you have to play the long game. Building relationships and a solid foundation takes time. Consistently advocating for yourself and your community and not being afraid to keep asking has opened doors for me. It took over a year to finally find a safe and comfortable space to host my skate events, and now we are building two new dedicated skate spaces in our city thanks to our organizing and advocacy efforts. It pays off in the end!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
As a black woman who grew up without a lot of financial resources, I’ve had to battle serious imposter syndrome. It’s hard for me to see myself as a small business owner or believe I can build something successful. I used to think the only people who could start a business were the people who had the resources and luxury to be able to try and fail. Thankfully with the support of organizations like Vermont Professionals of Color, I’ve had the support and guidance to feel more comfortable taking that leap and identifying resources that can help me build this business slowly over time.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyridersvt
Image Credits
Todd & Violet Taylor