We recently connected with Alisha Rickman and have shared our conversation below.

Alisha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

My Journey to Creative Entrepreneurship
I consider myself fortunate to now earn a full-time living from my creative endeavors, but this wasn’t the case from the very beginning. It has been a gradual journey, marked by patience, ongoing learning, and a great deal of persistence.

Early Experiences
Before taking ownership of the Arizona Circus Center, I balanced various creative projects alongside other jobs—some within my field and others outside of it. I worked numerous hours each week, and while it was challenging, this experience was essential as it gave me the freedom to hone my skills and develop my vision without the constant pressure of financial support.
With a degree in Commercial Recreation and Event Planning, I have always operated within the entertainment industry. Throughout my life, I collaborated with business owners and creators, helping bring their visions to life through events, marketing, and business planning. Event planning allowed me to travel to incredible places and work at notable events, such as the Festival de Cannes, a non-profit in Ireland, and several major Comic Cons across the nation. However, the demanding hours and extensive travel began to take a toll. Eventually, I reached a point of exhaustion.

Balancing Work and Passion
Outside of my professional life, I have always been an athlete, participating in competitive gymnastics, college cheerleading, rock climbing, and maintaining a passion for fitness. However, when traveling and working 12-15 hour days, I struggled to find time for movement, which was difficult for me. As a result, I decided to reduce my travel for events, allowing me to focus on my health and movement, ultimately leading me to a circus community.
My circus journey began with playful sessions at a park, engaging in AcroYoga jams. I was captivated by the intricate details and endless learning opportunities, which inspired me to attend festivals, circus centers, and retreats to deepen my understanding of Partner Acrobatics. Eventually, I transitioned from the event industry to pursue coaching full-time. I became a coach at Gold Medal Gymnastics and started my own AcroYoga classes at the Phoenix Rock Gym with my fiancé, Brent. This marked the true beginning of our journey together.

Founding the Arizona Circus Center
We spent summers training in San Diego at the San Diego Circus Center under the guidance of Jean Luc Martin and coaching AcroYoga at the rock climbing gym that Brent worked at. Our classes gradually grew, and we began coaching at various facilities. The Arizona Circus Center was originally known as Vertical Fix, an aerial studio, and we believed that incorporating ground acrobatics would help us move toward the training facility we admired in San Diego.
After approximately four years of conducting AcroYoga classes and coaching at other companies, we stepped into the role of Studio Managers to help run Vertical Fix. We successfully introduced more ground classes, such as Handstands, Tumbling, AcroYoga, and Hand-to-Hand into the schedule. After assisting the owner for about two years, we purchased the studio and rebranded it as the Arizona Circus Center. Despite taking on full responsibility for the business’s success, we both continued to hold second jobs. I was working over 60 hours a week since leaving college. Although I loved coaching at Gold Medal, after a year of managing our business, I decided to fully commit to building a life around it. I left Gold Medal to dedicate all my time and energy to the Arizona Circus Center.

Moving Forward
My fiancé and I have now owned the Arizona Circus Center for four years as of September. We have developed several programs and events, including our popular youth summer camps, student showcase series, and open stage. Additionally, we have produced several circus shows in our facility, which we take great pride in. Our goal is to continue to grow and offer more circus disciplines to the Phoenix area.
From the outset, we knew we wanted to create a training facility in Phoenix, as we often had to travel to find coaching for ourselves. I believe that if we had been more confident in promoting our work and our worth, we could have accelerated our progress. However, I also can’t imagine becoming a creative business owner any sooner. The slower path has taught us resilience and helped us build something that feels authentic and aligned with our values.

Alisha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Alisha Rickman, and I co-own the Arizona Circus Center with my fiancé, Brent. My journey into this world started with a deep passion for movement — I’ve always been drawn to activities that combine strength, creativity, and connection. Over time, that passion led me to acrobatics, hand balancing, partner work, and circus arts. What began as a personal practice turned into teaching, performing, and eventually creating a space where others could explore these disciplines, too.
At Arizona Circus Center, we provide a wide range of programs for adults and youth of all levels — from complete beginners discovering circus arts for the first time to seasoned practitioners refining their skills. Our offerings include handstands, tumbling, aerial, partner acrobatics, dance, conditioning and more! We run group classes, private lessons, workshops, and camps. We also support performers and creatives looking to enhance their strength, alignment, and artistry.

One of the core problems we help solve is making circus and movement arts accessible and sustainable. Many people believe you have to be “naturally flexible” or “already strong” to try these skills — but our approach is focused on meeting students where they are, and helping them build safely from the ground up. We emphasize alignment, efficiency, injury prevention, and creating a joyful, supportive environment.

What sets us apart is our focus on safe, sustainable training without losing the playfulness and artistry that make circus so magical. We don’t just teach tricks — we teach students how to understand their bodies, find ease in challenging skills, and connect with others through movement. Our space is designed to be welcoming to all, regardless of age, background, or fitness level.

I take great pride in the community we’ve cultivated and the artists we’ve supported along the way. Our programs have allowed individuals to connect, grow beyond their perceived limits, and wholeheartedly embrace the essence of circus. We cherish our space, which nurtures both athleticism and artistry.
If there’s one thing I’d want potential clients, followers, or fans to know, it’s this: Arizona Circus Center is more than a place to learn skills — it’s a place to discover what you’re capable of, to connect with others, and to experience the joy of circus in a way that fits your body and your goals.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I’m still working on my management and entrepreneurial skills every day. Being a business owner and staying true to your vision is the hardest thing I’ve had to do yet. One of my favorite resources has been reading Brene Brown books. Her books really help you handle the tough conversations and situations that you really can’t avoid.

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

One of the most challenging parts of my journey as a business owner has been learning how to lead — not just in terms of vision or passion, but in the day-to-day reality of managing people, making tough decisions, and having difficult conversations. I went into this with so much excitement about creating a space for others, but I don’t think I fully realized how much emotional strength it takes to guide a team, set boundaries, and navigate all the complexities that come with running a business.

At the same time, I was facing personal challenges I couldn’t have predicted — I was involved in two car accidents that deeply affected me physically and mentally. As an athlete, it was incredibly hard to go through the process of healing while trying to stay present for my students, staff, and community. I had to confront my own limits, ask for help when I needed it, and find ways to lead even on days when I felt like I was barely holding it together.

What I’ve learned through this is that leadership isn’t about having all the answers or being unshakable. It’s about showing up with honesty, taking responsibility, and staying committed to growth — for myself and for the people I support. I’ve also learned the importance of compassion, both for others and for myself. It’s okay to be vulnerable, to ask for support, and to take the time to heal. Those experiences have made me a stronger, more grounded leader, and they’ve deepened my understanding of what it means to hold space for others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ArizonaCircusCenter.com
• Instagram: ArizonaCircusCenter
• Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/ArizonaCircusCenter

Image Credits

Forbidden Photo – Keelyn Marie Photography
Open Stage Photo – SuperJim Photography
Mythos Photo – Courtex Studios Photography