Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sherema Fleming. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Sherema 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?

I fell in love with dance at the age of 4. At that age, I wanted to be everything  Like most kids) but I absolutely knew that I wanted a dance studio of my own. The expenses of keeping me in dance classes was too much for my parents, so I’m more of a self-taught, street dancer. While I was in nursing school, I started Cultured Movement, a dance company that initially started out as fun dance/fitness classes for women and now has expanded to a nonprofit dance company for women and children. It is important for me to keep these classes, community, low cost for women and fundraising based for children because the arts should not be an added financial constraints on families.

Some of the main reason that I was able to launch Cultured Movement include the love and support of family and friends. My Sorority sisters were my first clients and my mom helped me make dance class flyers. It is so important to lean on your village because those are the people who will initially support you and will continue. I’m beyond grateful for these angels. Another tool needed in business is risk taking and “just going for it.” I’m not the most confident, the bravest, nor do I always have the most faith  but I’ve never been afraid to “just go for it.” I believe in taking calculated risk, especially when it comes to pursuing your dreams.

Also, things happen in baby steps. It’s been almost 14 yrs and I did not learn everything in the first yr. I’m still learning!!!  I believe in going at your own pace. The first yr was big, then it slowed down, then it picked up, then we moved from an S Corp to a nonprofit, then we focused on kids, then back to adults, then sort of a hybrid, on and and on and on, change and change and change……!!!!! Success is not a straight line, lot of ups and down, but you KEEP GOING!!!

In 2020, I started a vegan pastry company called the Cocoa Vegan pastries. I am a chocoholic and I’m always looking for ways to snack healthier, so the entrepreneur in me took over and I began baking and selling. One thing the pandemic revealed to me is that people will ALWAYS EAT!  So I took the risk! As a Dancer, I understand that art is subjective, so I knew that my pastries would appeal to a specific niche of vegans (and non-vegans) and I was right!

I’m grateful to also have a career as a nurse, because I’ve never been a starving artist or a broke business owner. Having both a career and being an entrepreneur works for me because I can go at my own pace and never really have the fear of being broke.  I admire people who jump all in, but I’ve always had one foot in each realm and that has added to my sense of security.

As far as the transition from idea to launch, there are no steps and there is no magic formula. YOU JUST GOTTA DO IT!!! (Thanks Nike!) :). While success does leave clues, YOUR blueprint is the best one!

Sherema, 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?

Cultured Movement : Established in 2009, but my brain child since I was 4 yrs old. :)

“Cultural Competence Via the Art of Dance”
Cultured Movement is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to provide cultural competence via the art of dance as a means to serve girls by promoting healthy bodies, self esteem, positive self image, cultural awareness and a higher consciousness of dance as an art form.
Immersing women and girls into African-Indigenous culture through the art of dance.

At Cultured Movement we believe that every girl in NYC should have access to world-class dance instruction, regardless of their socio-economic status. Cultured movement is a Bronx-based non-profit dedicated to expanding horizons, building creativity and promoting cultural competence through the art of Afro-Indigenous dance.

What makes us different from other dance classes is that our organization takes a unique approach to dance instruction utilizing a creative learning experience that includes exploring the culture, food, language and customs of the dance genres we teach. Not only do we focus on dance, but we develop the entrepreneurial and leadership skills of young girls through opportunities to lead classes, fundraise and engage in community service projects.

Additionally, Cultured Movement classes are taught by world-class professionals that have graced the stages of Grammy Award winning artists, traveled the globe and are passionate about the art of dance.

The Cocoa Vegan Pastries: Established 2020
Pastry Deliciousness for Vegans, Non-Vegans, Wanna-Be Vegans and all Vegan-ish’s out there! A healthier way to snack! 100% Vegan made with all natural ingredients. No artificial flavoring/coloring. Gluten free options also available

I’m most proud that our dance classes are nonprofit, fundraising based for our children and low cost to women; and that the vegan pastry company used organic, vegan, all natural ingredients. I get to incorporate nursing at it relates to health, wellness and optimally functioning bodies into my businesses

Have you ever had to pivot?

We were all were affected by Covid, personally and in business. I have never been a fan of online dance classes, but during Covid, I had to make a decision to film and post. We were able to create an online Hip Hop Dance Series that was featured on our local television network. This was a great lesson on pivoting when I realized that it’s not about my preferences, but what the people want and need.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

It’s fun being a serial entrepreneur because you get to apply lessons from your first business into the succeeding ones. For Cultured Movement, I used my own money as initial capital. However, for the Cocoa Vegan Pastries, I wanted my product to sell itself and generate the money for it’s continuity. Your product or service must be able to generate profit! I’ve learned to sell and come up with ways (Dance showcases, Pop Up Entrepreneur Shops, Raffles, Bake Sales, etc) for the business to fund itself. Entrepreneurs are creatives by nature and we can definitely find ways to generate initial capital.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.culturedmovement.org; www.cvpastries.com
• Instagram: CulturedMovement; CocoaVeganPastries
• Facebook: Cultured Movement
• Twitter: CulturedMove
• Youtube: Cultured Movement