Meet Nicolea Pettis | Dancer, Actor, Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicolea Pettis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicolea, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Ooh wow, what a great question! I believe positive habits have a way of really transforming the trajectory of a persons life. As a dancer, actor and budding entrepreneur, there are a few habits that I wholeheartedly believe have helped me succeed and consistency is at the top of the list. Staying consistent and having a desire for continuous learning has opened so many doors for me. For instance, when I first started Samba dancing, I struggled picking up the movement but I staid stedfast in my determination. There was something about it that made me want to continue and I was surprised by who was watching me, routing for me, and proud as I progressed. This consistency makes people want to work with you because they see your work ethic and that you are committed to the art. Which leads me to my next habit, taking risks, now I will admit I don’t take risks often but whenever I have they have lead to success. One of the biggest risks I took, was entering a national Samba Queen competition and to my delight, I WON! That risk has opened so many doors for me and helped in propelling me into the artist, teacher, and performer I am today. Last and certainly not least, a habit that I believe is crucial in having is a practice of Self reflection and mindfulness. Partaking in meditation and regularly evaluating my progress has helped me stay focused and consistently growing in all my endeavors.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I like to describe my art as a colorful blend of dancing, acting, and entrepreneurship. Each facet contributes to my overall creative expression. At the heart of it all lies my dance specialty of Samba and Afro-Brazilian dance styles. I’m all about sharing its ancestral, resilient, and healing attributes whether I’m teaching, choreographing, or performing on stage. I find what sets me apart is I’m not just about the dance moves. My artistry is so much more than the movement. It is about overcoming obstacles, it’s about finding & rediscovering joy, it’s about building confidence, enhancing my overall well-being, and sharing all of this with the community.

I got to where I am today professionally by utilizing my habits for success; consistency, taking risks, and self-care practices. I can’t express enough how much these elements have played a pivotal role in finding my purpose and weaving it into my artistry and business pursuits. That coupled with friends and colleagues sharing opportunities has significantly helped me get to where I am today. Now has it been easy? not even close! but every hurdle as allowed me to grow. That’s the main reason I’m so keen on mindfulness and self-care. The entertainment industry can really pull on your self-confidence sleeve that’s why it is important to find practices that help keep your head up and focused on achieving your dreams.

That’s why I’m so excited about my business endeavor. As well as being an artist, I’m currently earning my MBA from Cal State University Long Beach, focusing in disruptive technology and sustainably. It’s a wild ride juggling the creative side with the business side, but I love every minute of it. Through this process I’ve launched my bath soak brand, Soak Therepē. I created these soaks to save my sore muscles after long dance sessions, but then I realized they were doing wonders for my mental health too! Taking just 30 minutes a week to soak nourishes my body and mind. As with my dancing, my brand isn’t just about bath soaks; it’s about fostering a culture of self-love and resilience in a world that often overlooks it; same as what I incorporate into my artistic career.

Ultimately my story is all about embracing performing arts, self-care, and meaningful business ventures. I want to show the world they are not separate things- they’re all part of this beautiful journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I were in charge of planning a fun-filled tour of the city for a friend visiting LA for a week. We most definitely would need to do a beach day at Santa Monica beach. We could take in the sun, pack a lunch and ride the iconic Ferris wheel. The rest of the week would include visiting the Getty Villa Museum, dinner at my favorite restaurant, Mastros, breakfast at the griddle cafe, drinks on the roof top at Perch, wine tasting at the San Antonio Winery, and if it is the summer time we definitely would hit up Subsuelo Sundays day party at Cana rum bar in downtown LA.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The person I would like to shout-out for my success would definitely be my Mom, Renda Pettis. Her support, mentorship, love and encouragement has really kept me going. There are so many times that I have doubted my choice to pursue the arts and entrepreneurship simultaneously, but she was always there when I needed her the most. Her words and insights have kept me going and believing in myself. And as they saying goes, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” my Mother is also a creative. She is a dancer, actor, and educator. I am amazed at all she has accomplished and continues to do. She inspires me to never give up on my dreams. She is a shining example of determination and resilience. And as the other saying goes, it truly does take a village to raise a child and to become successful so I have to also shoutout my Brother and Nephew for their continued support as well as my “Samba Mama” Ana Carla Laidley who taught me to Samba and continues to light the pathway.

Website: NicoleaPettis.com and SoakTherepe.com

Instagram: @Nicolea.Pettis, @SambaClass.LA, @SoakTherepe

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicoleapettis

Image Credits
Gia Trovela Photography, Tyler Baker Photography, Farah Sosa