We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sakina Ibrahim a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sakina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

The journey from idea to execution is a challenge that many struggle with. While plenty of people dream big, not everyone follows through. Personally, once I envision a project, it consumes my mind until I bring it to life.

Throughout my artistic and business ventures, I’ve gleaned some valuable insights:

1. Patience is a virtue: While setting deadlines is important, it’s wise to allow for more time, especially if the project is dependent upon collaboration with others. Immerse yourself in the creative process and give yourself and others grace.

2. Delegate Wisely: Initially, taking on everything yourself may be necessary. However, what has been truly transformative in my journey is assembling a team, and letting other people be great at what they do. Getting an assistant has been the best investment and saves me time.

3. Reverse Engineer the Process: I ask myself, “What steps do I need to take in order to complete this project? I meditate and do a free-flowing brainstorm, I like to call a Brain Dump, which is jotting down every idea without limitations. Then, I work backward from the final vision, forming a roadmap for execution.

4. Silence the Inner Critic: It’s crucial not to hinder yourself. Have faith in your abilities and stop caring about what other people think. Trust your instincts and not the opinions of people who don’t pay your bills.

By embracing these principles, I’ve found a path to turning my dreams into reality each and every day. It’s a process that demands time, embracing failure and the courage to trust God.

Sakina , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am Sakina Ibrahim, an author, artist, and social entrepreneur. My journey began with rigorous training in modern, ballet, jazz and hip-hop dance at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia,PA.

I furthered my studies in theatre in New York and LA and enjoyed my time dancing, singing, and acting. The life of a struggling artist is truly a struggle, so I decided I to get a MFA so I could teach at the collegiate level. I hold a Master’s degree in Dance and I’ve dedicated many years to teaching at esteemed colleges and universities, with a special focus on Dances of the African Diaspora.

I am a deeply creative person. I never confined myself to one form of expression, allowing my growth to unfold organically, guided by intuition and being inspired by those around me. Although I never envisioned myself as a writer, there came a moment when a story within me wanted to be told. The result was my book, “Big Words to Little Me,” which had a profound impact on girls’ social and emotional learning long before it became a coined term in schools and homes.

The roots of my dance journey trace back to the Dunbar Community Center in Springfield, MA, and later the Shooting Star Dance Center. These spaces became my sanctuaries for creativity, eventually evolving into traveling and studies internationally and now owning Dance Arts Academy OC. Here, we assist schools in meeting their arts education needs while nurturing young dancers. We also have a studio location in Santa Ana, CA. My students are so passionate and have raw talent. I’ve never worked with children so driven and talented. My company curates shows, off-site professional development for companies and organizations and of course, arts education programs in order to foster creative and balanced work and learning environments.

What distinguishes my company and work is my diverse experiences and the ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life. I’ve always felt like I’m carving out a path on my own. However, my greatest source of pride is from my students and the community we are fostering to impact the next generation with a strong sense of humanity and leadership.

I want my clients to recognize that they are life long learners, and in partnering with me, we tap into the heart through the arts, activating the very best in each person through movement, cultural appreciation, and mindfulness. Together, we cultivate an environment where growth is not just encouraged, but celebrated.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

You know, there was a definite shift in my life when I found myself responsible for paying others. Taking that step to expand your team and learn the ropes of being a successful entrepreneur can be scary. It demands planning, discipline, and the constant challenge to think ahead.

I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve made my fair share of mistakes. Like that time I had to pay studio rent before paying my own rent, yeah… that was uncomfortable. That fear of relying on that one client to come through with payment, just so you can settle bills with vendors or meet payroll?

It’s been a journey of prayer, discipline, and learning from other entrepreneurs by listening and to interviews of successful people. My guilty pleasure is listening to Rap music, artist like OT Geniuses, Nipsey Hustle, and Meek Mills. Help me to focus on the hustle. One piece of advice that really sticks with me is from Ice Cube, who mentioned that it takes a good five years to start seeing the results you’re after, and then after a decade you can feel like an overnight success. This perspective helps me to keep my head down and keep grinding.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I’ve truly developed a passion for my weekly lifestyle blog and newsletters on my website. There, I share tips on wellness and share my experiences with cultural activities, foods, books, and inspiration. You can join in by subscribing on Sakinaibrahim.com.

I also make sure to keep my clients and their students in the loop about all the latest developments at Dance Arts Academy. Just recently, we secured a grant from the city of Santa Ana, one of our students landed a major role in a music video and we performed at the National Baseball League game. You can catch up on all of this and more at DanceArtsAcademyOC.org.

Contact Info:

• Website: danceartsacademyoc.org and sakinaibrahim.com
• Instagram: sakina_world
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sakina.ibrahim.16/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sakina-ibrahim/
• Twitter: sakina_world
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sakinaibrahim

Image Credits
Kenneth KL Wright Jr. Klookvis.com