From Dance Instructor to Social Club CEO
By Kent Yang | Staff Writer
Entering the diverse doors of Mount Wachusett Community College is an ambitious student by the name of Samuel Nieves. Nieves is a full-time student pursuing a degree in Business Administration. He grew up in Andover, Massachusetts where he was raised by his Irish grandmother, but has been living the past eight years of his life in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Nieves comes from a heritage which blends both the Puerto Rican culture and Irish culture. As a proud first-generation American, Samuel Nieves is determined to meet all of his goals.
In 2011, Nieves graduated high school and would then attend Salem State University for a year. On the side, Nieves was a very passionate dancer, so he instructed dance. Through Nieves’ dance career, he won awards such as the Young Choreographer Award in multiple dance competitions, four years in a row. However, his life took a different turn when he found bigger opportunities in Fitchburg where he was managing clubs. Eventually, feeling that the traditional networking scene was bland, lackluster and boring, Nieves aimed to recreate the networking scene where he envisioned a more vibrant, engaging, and friendly environment for people to connect. With this, Nieves found his own calling and created the social club called Social Light.
As the CEO of Social Light, Nieves aims to build a community full of business-minded individuals and entrepreneurs. A success story Nieves shared was starting an initiative where men’s professional attire was collected and donated to men in need, ensuring they had something to wear during events and in interviews, giving them the confidence they need. “I started it because I knew how confident I felt in a suit, and I believe everyone should have that opportunity,” explained Nieves.
Nieves considers himself a workaholic and some of the biggest challenges he faces are being too hard on himself. To overcome this, he has learned the importance of “letting things go and delegating responsibilities.” His resilience and self-awareness has helped him navigate the challenges of being a business owner and student.
Outside of work, Nieves also dedicates his time to organizations such as the Student Government Association (SGA), the Sexuality And Gender Alliance (SAGA), and participates in work-study programs at the theater. Nieves stated he is “…loving the Mount, both the professors and staff have been great!”
For those entering the field of business administration, Nieves offered this advice: “Keep envisioning your dreams, because manifestation is powerful.” He encapsulates the determination and innovation that often defines the First-Generation American experience. “Just because other people can’t envision it (your dreams) doesn’t mean it can’t happen,” he added. His journey from dance instructor to social club CEO is a testament to his hard work, grit, and creativity—and it’s just the beginning of his legacy.
Comments are closed.