We had the good fortune of connecting with Zulekha Addison-Kole and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zulekha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Addison Kole was a name created in 2015, it all started with a desire to first create a new alias that was associated with my many talents and skills. I wanted to finally start to step out and channel other sides of me, and that all started with the perfect name. Before I knew it, Addison Kole became a movement, professional dancer , dance class , creative director, legal assistant for entertainers like myself and today now today it serves as a an umbrella to my many businesses and creative efforts of Zulekha “Addison – Kole”. Now Addison Kole is more than just an alias for me, it’s a brand that showcases the many skills and business concepts created through myself. Through dance being the vessel that brought all my creative talents to surface, I was able to meet and build relationships with like-minded individuals, and explore my talents first hand,; rather that was on a stage, in a dance room, providing opportunities for creatives or just being a voice for creatives like myself…. Simply choosing to explore my arts provided me with so more clarity and insight to the many things I am capable of.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Addison Kole is a brand that serves as an Umbrella to the many skills and businesses of Zulekha Addison. Through dance, I serve as a professional dancer, choreographer and creative director. I also help aid other creatives with professional bookings, legal assistance in contractual agreements and legal advice. Addison Kole Movement was a business generated through the brand that offers dance classes and private classes through providing an experience centered around embracing femininity, dance techniques, sensuality, confidence and movement. I am most proud of my community support and encouragement throughout this journey. I feel as if the community of people I have met has given me the strength to truly believe in myself more and their support continues to give me confirmation that I am on a divine path. For me it shows that all my accomplishments, and opportunities to perform on stages such as big as Coachella, Travel around the world on a tour and more, is beyond because of the hard work and dedication, but also because of my destiny and path that is set out for me. I’ve learned that when you connect the dots and understand that through hard-work AND divine timing, all things are truly possible, that alone will set you apart from self-doubt, competition and anything else that doesn’t serve to you and your businesses. As a creator, I faced many struggles, but more on the financial side of things. The creative industry is an industry not for the weak because it takes sacrifice, time, and dedication and may I repeat, SACRIFICE, on many levels. For many years of my creative career, I was a full-time independent artists, working for me, by me. I decided to leave any job that “clocked my time” and not use my bachelor’s degree to focus all that energy into my craft. With making those decisions, financial struggles arose, as well as my family questioning my priorities and outtake on life. In this society, although many loved ones encourage you to “follow your dreams”, they forget that doing so almost means in some cases letting go of societal standards and sacrificing your day to day life, and it comes with a price that many are not willing to pay. However the reward of knowledge, experience, expansion, opportunities, resilience and overall bigger mission for more than myself came along the way. And for that, I’m forever grateful for my struggles.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Okay so depending on the season, a best friend of mine would def love crawfish ! So I def take them on a stop to The Deck on Fountainview for some crawfish and frozen Jack Coke mid day. We would then go visit Eados Big toys for some daytime fun and ride around the city. Have lunch or dinner taste bar and kitchen ! Even breakfast any given day there is IMMACULATE! Catch some night life vibes at seaside, belle station, or Kamp Houston!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a huge shoutout to my tribe ! This is a group of individuals who has helped me along my journey in many different ways . LydRock of Afrirock and Rockstyles, her encouragement and influence is part of the reason why I’m here My long time friends Amanda Williams and Heaven Trent , their support kept me going ! Taylor of TeelynAndCo, she’s been such a burst of energy and support since I’ve met her ! Sayrah of Rah Nation, her contribution to my growth never goes unnoticed! My mom and sisters for just being my home base through this entire journey! And lastly my dance sisters, Ariel , China , Sayrah, Kandyce !

Website: https://theaddisonkole.wixsite.com/akmvmt

Instagram: https://instagram.com/akmvmnt?igshid=ccfgbg80jve4

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