Meet Raven Rowan | Owner & Creative Director of Chosen Stage

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

Hi Raven, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
It has evolved greatly. When I first started my business (Chosen Stage) I was newly married and had a 7 month old. At that time, there was slightly more flexibility in time. In the beginning, there wasn’t much travel, bookings, meetings, shows or engagements on the schedule, so even while jump starting my business, I still found ease with balancing being a wife, mother and business owner. However, after having my daughter in May 2023, is when my perspective on finding that balance did evolve. I managed to return back to my business full speed within 3 months (August 2023) but as I made my return, my schedule began to fill back up quickly and I spent a lot of nights exhausted and overwhelmed trying to figure out how to balance it all: marriage, 2 small children and my business back in full speed. What helped most was, during my preparation of return, I purposely set a target date back to the studio to ensure I wouldn’t procrastinate, and in doing so, propelled me to figure it out. I’m so glad I did! Now 5 1/2 years into my business, as a wife and mother of 2, I can honestly say the ability to maintain the demands of my business is something I take joy in because it isn’t easy, but I’m doing it! Now that my oldest is now in school and sports, I find it to be easiest to work and get caught up on emails, texts, creating choreo, planning, admin., etc. during those hours or even late nights and early mornings. I get asked all the time “how do you do it?” and I always respond, “one day at a time”. So I found that as life evolves, you have to evolve with it. You have to adjust to every season you’re in and embrace it. Whatever that looks like for you. There truly is no secret recipe or perfect way to having balance that works for us all because all of our lives are different, but finding what works best for you and your family is the ultimate goal to your own success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Yes, absolutely. Thank you! Chosen Stage is a hip hop dance brand that offers professional opportunities to dancers such as video shoots, photo shoots and performances along with classes to train and sharpen their skills. I started in the DMV area in May 2019 with holding an audition which led to having company members. They performed in shows, did interviews, video shoots, photo shoots, performances, etc. In 2021, my husband and I took a trip to Atlanta for a concert and we were massively blown away at the talent level of the dancers, musicians, artists etc. I was able to connect with a few of the dancers at the show and worked with one of them. We did a video together under my brand and performance in ATL soon after. This led to me starting and building a presence in Atlanta. I then took a leap of faith and decided to hold an ATL hip hop class under my brand and it was a massive success. From there, I decided I would hold an open hip hop class once a month, and it grew beyond belief! Just earlier this year in (May) celebration of the 5th year anniversary, I held my first live showcase for Chosen Stage in Atlanta. I had 7 amazing and talented dancers on stage with me, 2 in which came all the way from Florida to be apart.

I am most proud of how much Chosen Stage has grown over the past 5 1/2 years and the level of impact it has been for the dance community. I’ve witnessed lives being changed through someone attending my classes, following my journey or coming to my shows. When I first started I couldn’t even imagine this level of impact. I truly was just doing it out of the love for dance that I’ve had since the age of 6, but I soon realized how much more deeper and special having impact is than any status. Being pulled to the side after class and being told by someone who had just finished taking class with me “you’re saving my life” is when I knew, this is my purpose, my calling.

Getting to this point was definitely not always easy. Just like any business owner, I had my share of losses, failures and disappointments. But no matter what, I keep going. I made a commitment and promise to myself to do so, and that’s a promise that I’m forever keeping. This is also something I tell all who attend my classes. And that’s now only in dance, in life outside of the studio or stage. Adversity is going to come, we can’t escape it, but never quit.

Biggest lessons that I’ve learned along the way: Keep God first & believe in yourself. In this, there’s no way you truly fail.

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?
One of the biggest things I noticed when coming to Atlanta was the variety of food! I have grown a massive love for Taco Mac and American Deli! I’ve already brought family and friends out to both. Anywhere that there’s wings, I’ll be and suggest friends to try it out!

I also love sporting events (preferably football) so an Atlanta Falcons game or for basketball, Atlanta Hawks would be first on the list!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband and children. All of my supporters in Atlanta and in other states (California, Texas, Philadelphia, Florida, Michigan, Arizona, Maryland, Virginia, etc.) and everyone who has attended my classes, shows, or performances. Divine Dance Studio for being my home studio for every class for Chosen Stage since I expanded to Atlanta in 2021 and still to this day! 4U Recording Studio (venue for my showcase this year) THANK YOU!

Website: https://www.chosenstage.com

Instagram: @loveeravenn_ & @chosenstage

Facebook: Chosen Stage

Youtube: Chosen Stage