Life & Work with Adriana “A.Marie” Grimes of Long Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adriana “A.Marie” Grimes.

Hi Adriana, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in the lovely city of Long Beach. I come from a family of artists, creatives, and entertainers. My mother was a professional dancer, singer, and theatre performer. She is also very crafty and designs her own party favors. My father is a DJ and MC. My brother is a comedian, well – unofficially, but I always tell him he should really tap into his gift because he is hilarious, he also plays the piano and can deliver a mean beatbox. Growing up, my parents always made sure I participated in both art and sports. I fell in love with both dance/theatre/music and basketball. As I grew older though, dance just stuck with me. It allowed me to express myself in a way that felt both genuine and safe. I could be free-free to perform on stage, capture an audience, and deliver a message while letting my personality shine. After graduating from high school, I pursued dancing. I knew I wanted to continue my education, but at that time – dance took precedence. I trained with amazing dancers and choreographers and eventually signed with an agency where I auditioned for and performed with some big names. I had a good run until I realized I was getting older and needed a backup plan, so I went into public service and worked for a variety of municipalities including the cities of Long Beach, Carson, Compton, and Inglewood. I eventually got married and had two beautiful kids. I enjoyed my work in the public sector, but I felt stifled at the same time. I had to truly discover my purpose and get back to me. There was a time when I felt like I lost myself because I had poured so much into being a wife and mother-roles I consider a blessing and high calling-that I unintentionally neglected other aspects of who I was as an individual. I knew the only way to shake that feeling was to make a huge decision. So, after years of prayer, reflection, and deep conversations, and after earning my BS Degree in Business Management, I decided to leave public service altogether and start my own business. I founded AG Enhancement & Entertainment Services, LLC in 2023. I recently signed with a new agency and I’m back in familiar territory, doing what I enjoy and building some solid connections and networks in the process. I know that what I do is bigger than me, and I would not have gotten this far in my business if I didn’t have the courage to take a chance on myself and start the journey of rediscovery. I’m out here on a mission to uplift and inspire and I’m grateful for every opportunity I get to share my skills and expertise with others.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. I battled with periods of anxiety and self-doubt throughout my journey, and at many times questioned my direction and felt the need to always to accomplish more. I can be my own toughest critic, and that can get the best of me. I can put a lot of pressure on myself to set a positive example for my family and kids, so much that it ends up being counterproductive and an interference with the very goals I would work towards. These experiences taught me the importance of giving myself grace, living in the present, and maintaining balance through my creative outlets. I’m able to see the value in taking things one day at a time.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I founded AG Enhancement & Entertainment Services, LLC in 2023. I wanted my business to be a reflection of me – multifaceted. My business offers a variety of services, rooted in Art, which is at the core of everything I do. There is an art to everything, from the way we communicate to our daily routines. I discover artistry in my services and use it to create unique and meaningful experiences. Current services include dance lessons and choreography, live activations, performances, image consulting, pageant coaching, and non-invasive body sculpting under “Aesthetics by A.Marie”, where I provide personalized treatments tailored to wellness goals and shaping and sculpting the body at my studio in Bixby Knolls. I also created a professional line dance team, the G~$QUAD. We teach the hottest line dances at community events, local parks, and studios, and even work with LA County, the Port of Long Beach, and the Downtown Long Beach Alliance. I’m also working on creating a new performance troupe, “Opus Noir”, which means “Black Masterpiece”. Performances will feature a fusion of different dance genres including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and lyrical. My style of teaching is delivered through “A.Marie’s 3 E’s”: Engagement, Encouragement, and Enthusiasm and supports inclusivity. Whether someone steps on the dance floor, enters my studio, or attends one of our events, my goal is to build confidence, community, and connection and do it with my personal style, humor, and big energy.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I am a fan of taking calculated risks. One of the biggest decisions I ever made was leaving job security to pursue my passions while being responsible for an entire family. It was not a decision I took lightly, but I knew I didn’t want to spend my life wondering what could have happened if I never tried. I had to trust my abilities, rely on my faith, and bet on myself. Some of the most successful people in the world wouldn’t be where they are if they didn’t take risks. As I grow older, and a bit wiser, I realize that growth requires stepping outside of your comfort zone and taking on different perspectives and methods, possibly through risks, and although not a guarantee, it can lead to some wonderful outcomes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://servicesofAG.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/services_of_ag/ (business) | https://www.instagram.com/a.marie__g/ (personal) | https://www.instagram.com/gsquad_of_la/ (line dance team)

Image Credits
Simeon Miller
Carleton Brown