Creative, Innovative Learning for Children and Adults: Peekskill Business Spotlight

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. The plan behind this series at Patch is to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

This is as much about supporting local businesses as it is about celebrating the places and faces that make our community special. Click here to get to a simple form where local business owners can answer a few quick questions to be part of this ongoing feature.

Our spotlight today is on Ridvan Foxhall.

Business: New Era Creative Space
Owners: Ridvan Foxhall
Website: www.necspace.com
Address: 1016 Brown Street, Peekskill, NY 10566

How did you come up with the name?
Inspired by my childhood education in India, I wanted to open a center where we could provide programs that promote creativity, self awareness and critical thinking skill.

Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?
It is in the center of town, across from a parking lot, so easy access for parents and families.

Briefly, what business are you in?
Education

What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?
Starting a new business is always challenging. I think getting the word out to the community, marketing on a low budget.

Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?
No - I’ve always felt strongly about opening a creative center.

What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?
Oh, there have been so many! But one of the proudest achievements is when we celebrated our first year anniversary Sept 6th with over 30 people in attendance, children singing and performing at a family open mic and all the joy and laughter throughout the evening. Great way to kick off our second year.

What’s the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?
I would say all of our programs are innovation, that is our specialty. To provide innovative and creative programing for children and adults. Our Children’s theatre uses theatre as a tool for critical and analytic thinking. We have implemented engineering and architecture programs for children, computer animation and programs that focus on healthy beginning for young children.

How do you deal with difficult customers?
We’ve been very fortunate to attract amazing families to our programs. I hate to use the word customers, because I don’t see them as customers, but rather as families, many of which have become friends. So far I haven’t had difficult customers.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?
We offer scholarships for certain programs, provide classes that you won’t often see at school. We offer parent support workshops, leadership programs for youth and 3 Saturdays a month, we have family events provided to the community. The listed programs are offered without charge.