Meet Arianne Salandy | Soca On The Go

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

What was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Is there something you enjoy doing, you believe you’re good at and others tell you you do well?

This, to me, is the definition of a passion that, with some careful planning and thought, a person can wield to solve a problem and/or bring joy to others.

I am originally from Trinidad and Tobago and what I love the most about being from the Caribbean is our innate nature to be unapologetically who we are. We are patriotic, proud, nosy (only sometimes), noisy (almost always) and truly some of the happiest people out there.

Combine that with the music we love? It’s a recipe for some of the most outlandish, yet beautifully candid moments you can experience – you, among a crowd of people at sunrise (yes I said sunrise!), eyes closed, arms outstretched and singing to the top of your lungs to the sweet sounds of soca music.

I currently reside in Atlanta, GA, and, true to form, the Caribbean community here loves to party (aka “fete”).

But one of my biggest gripes with Atlanta is the lack of quality soca experiences for the people who love soca music.

I’m not alone in this opinion.

Now don’t get me wrong, there are certainly some events that fit the bill, but I’ve outgrown many of the clubs and places I frequented during my college years, and what I value in a soca event has now shifted.

I noticed similar behavior in the people around me as well, so I started asking questions and interviewing my peers to understand things from their perspective. They took issue with the location and monotony of the typical venues as well as the music and the overall vibe. Some of the events became very predictable or put together at the last minute with no effort in the patron’s experience. The excitement for these existing events dwindled and over time they just stopped attending, some now traveling outside of the state as a means of satiating their appetite for Caribbean events.

It was from these conversations that I realized Atlanta was no longer serving a core subset of our community and that, with my passion coupled with my skills, I would have to fill the gap somehow.

Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Soca On The Go is a brand that strives to create memorable events and unique experiences for the Atlanta Caribbean Community and those interested in our culture. We are a Caribbean-focused premium event brand.

We have crafted unique experiences for our community including our Soca Wine Tour which is an unforgettable day trip where we board a bus at a meeting spot and head to the mountains as we listen to the sweet sounds of soca. Set against a backdrop of picturesque mountain views, soca lovers can indulge in Caribbean bites, snacks and wine tastings that create an air of nostalgia, relaxation and fun, all while listening to soca music. They can mix and mingle with other soca lovers and simply escape their lives for a day.

What sets us apart from others is our focus on customer experience. We often hear our attendees say “Wow, you guys thought of everything!” – a very gratifying statement, because we do spend a lot of time understanding the needs and pain points of our target customers and what their experience would be like from start to finish for each and every event.

Additionally, with a love for creativity and marketing, I personally strive to understand how to    differentiate our brand to be more relatable. I don’t want to just connect when there is an event happening but I want people to provide value and relate on other levels with our community.

The brand is fairly new and, as we all know, it comes with the challenge of establishment, awareness, and growth. However, the growth process allowed us to create intimate and exclusive experiences that we can now replicate in larger venues for mass audiences. And the encouragement and anticipation for our events from those who experience them keeps the momentum going.

Lessons learned along the way?

It’s okay to ask for help – you can’t do and be everything.

Ask more questions  – this can save time and money.

Give yourself grace – Things happen in business and dwelling on mistakes can be a waste of energy.

Community is the means and the ends – Take the time to observe, discuss, and grow together.

Soca On The Go aims to nurture a community that can connect with each other through new experiences using the music we know and love, soca.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Rocksteady Atlanta – A cool chill vibe on a Friday or Saturday night. Their lounge is a great place to go listen and dance to some music and MAYBE hear a soca song or two.
Eclipse Di Luna, Atlanta – The perfect place to go with friends, enjoy some delicious tapas and cocktails with live music on the weekends.
Continent Atlanta – An inviting restaurant and cigar lounge with an upscale vibe. Birthday celebrations are their thing!

Alright, so let’s jump right in! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there a person, group, organization, book, etc that you want to dedicate your shoutout to? Who else deserves a little credit and recognition in your story?
I have been fortunate enough to have a number of family members and friends encourage me along this path and help me push past any adversities that would have otherwise hindered me from taking this leap. They continue to support, provide feedback and spread the word. I am wholeheartedly grateful.

A shout out to my sister Shelly, whose enthusiasm and encouragement is always recognized.

A shout out to all friends who often ask if I need help with the planning or set up process and who eagerly look forward to the next event and spreading the word.

A shout out to my business partner, Gerik, who helps bring unique ideas to perpetuate the quality of the product.

Website: socaonthego.com.

Instagram: @socaonthego

Facebook: @socaonthego

Image Credits
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