BY: KRIS ANDERSON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: VICTOR SELLARS, JAELIN COLLIER
Often we have trouble getting started with our goals, or we discover that achieving them is going to take more time and effort than we thought it would, and we start to lose our motivation. The only thing standing between you and your goal is the crap of a story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it. I want you to ask yourself something. How successful do you want to be? Where do you want to be in the next 5, 10, 15 years? Life can be seen as short but it’s also long enough for us to make great things happen. Success comes down to our attitude, effort and focus. You just have to take that first step towards your dreams and goals! Aria Hill is a 2020 Graduate earning her Doctorate of Pharmacy at Hampton Univeristy, originally residing from Columbia, South Carolina. As the founder of Service Spree, Aria is dedicated to providing helping hands of service to those in need. Her dedication does not stop with giving, Aria has served in various leadership positions at Hampton University. She is a Spring 16 initiate of the Gamma Iota Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Aria has also spent countless hours working towards her ultimate goal of being a pharmacist. In the near future, she would like to open her own pharmacy while simultaneously expanding Service Spree volunteerism across the country. I now present to you Dr. Aria Hill The Businesswoman.
The UpNext: Who is Aria Hill?
Dr. Hill: "Aria is a trailblazer, an innovator, a woman of many trades, a Hustler, someone who will never take no for an answer."
The UpNext: Who is the most influential person in your life and why?
Dr. Hill: "There’s no one person who influences me the most in my life. I believe I am influenced by many and take traits from them to make them my own. Just to provide a few, I have my mother who has unremarkable strength and exemplifies tremendous dedication, my father has taught me to blaze trails with no remorse, and of course there are many student leaders at Hampton University whom I have admired from afar. Kim Kardashian has also provided the world and myself with a blueprint combining sex appeal and intelligence to create impactful influence (even though most don’t agree). I observe what I like and make it my own."
The UpNext: What inspired you to start a nonprofit organization?
Dr. Hill: "My freshman year at Hampton University I observed that there was a massive shortage of community service hours offered to students who were not a part of an organization or had transportation to go to community service events. Typically these organizations who offered hours were The Greer Dawson Wilson Student Leadership Training Program (SLP), Greek Organizations, Community Service Committee of your select class, or mentorship organizations. Outside of these select few, opportunities along with transportation barriers there weren’t many opportunities to obtain community service hours. We all know that as a freshman you don’t have access to being Greek, participating in SLP, or quick and reliable transportation at Hampton University. For me it was imperative to provide transportation as well as a judge free zone where individuals could participate in giving back to their community."
The UpNext: How many hours a day did you work on average to get Service Spree off the ground?
Dr. Hill: "An average answer would be 24/7 which is what it felt like, but I would like to be honest and provide a blueprint for building a business idea within many individuals just to ensure that you all know this is OBTAINABLE. In order to get Service Spree off the ground I spent about 8-12 hours of my day dedicated to this project. Some days an hour here 30 minutes there totalling to 8-12 hours out of my 24 hour day. You will need to identify your target audience, and test out your project on a small group before taking it “live”. Make sure to communicate with your resources to figure out if your services are needed, and figure out all the legal logistics to ensure your idea remains legit."
The UpNext: What kind of culture exists in your organization, and how did you establish it?
Dr. Hill: "Service Spree is a judgement free zone. Service Spree is an organization that aids in shaping college students into active citizens. Service Spree is dedicated to our community. Our culture was established by positive energy and great leaders within Service Spree. As a founder, selecting Site Directors and Committee Leaders that always set high expectations for their sites and teams while simultaneously leading by example for all volunteers was imperative to having a successful non profit organization."
The UpNext: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Dr. Hill: "A successful entrepreneur should be willing to take risks. A successful entrepreneur should always be accountable. Most importantly a successful entrepreneur should have a GENUINE passion and dedication for the business they take on. In a time like this, it’s important to know that a business is a responsibility not just a dollar sign or social media likes."
The UpNext: What has been your most satisfying moment with Service Spree?
Dr. Hill: "My most satisfying moment with Service Spree will always be admiring the smiles and faces of dedicated volunteers as they matriculate and become accomplished leaders at Hampton University. I could mention an award or some sort of recognition, but it always starts with the dedication of an individual. I truly admire watching volunteers find friends within the organization while viewing Service Spree as a safe place. Also seeing volunteers accomplish school goals due to service, and finding a sense of belonging within the community."
The UpNext: Why did you choose a HBCU? Was it the best choice you’ve ever made?
Dr. Hill: "I am a third generation HBCU student. For me attending an HBCU wasn’t really an option, not because my parents said so, but because I decided to take on that journey for myself. Hands down completing my college experience at an HBCU is something I wouldn’t trade for the world! Being surrounded by Black Excellence for 6 years was the foundation I needed to become an dominant African American Woman in this world. Gaining lifelong bonds with a community of like minded individuals that dreams and goals venture into about every career path under the sun. You couldn't get that type of networking experience anywhere else. There’s so much wealth and knowledge at HBCUs. The best part about me attending a HBCU is having that solid foundation of friendship. I know my friends and peers will be there for my children and the children of the next generation to come."
The UpNext: How did you balance your nonprofit while pursuing your academics full-time?
Dr. Hill: "The first thing I did after reading this question was laugh and Thank God! To be honest it was definitely a S**t show full of many tears, questioning of my purpose, and perseverance. Pharmacy school was very rigorous due to my on campus involvement. There were many happy hours, campus events, kick backs and gatherings where I would bring my books with me to study. However, best believe I was going to be there! Training myself to be every where and do it all took a toll on my body and mental health. Nevertheless, without that experience I wouldn’t have known the true definition of having to hustle for multiple passions."
The UpNext: Why did you want to become a pharmacist?
Dr. Hill: "Being some form of doctor was a must for me due to being involved in a Bio Health Magnet program all four years of High School. This program was basically the ‘pharmacy program’ of my high school. Many of us have graduated college becoming MDs, nurses, chemists, and physical therapists. Participating in this interview I just realized I was the only student to become a pharmacist probably due to my fear of massive amounts of blood and wounds ( I cannot do that okay lol). For me, becoming a doctor was the best decision because this field will never go out of business."
The UpNext: What did you do to prepare for pharmacy school?
Dr. Hill: "To prepare for pharmacy school I took my 2 years of prerequisites very seriously. If you are a future pharmacy student and you are reading this take Organic Chemistry over the SUMMER this is the best advice that I have ever received. I joined a pharmacy mentoring program, and became a mentee to gain insight from students already in Hampton University School of Pharmacy (HUSOP). Becoming a tutor the second semester of my freshman year allowed me time to teach math and science to struggling students not only to help them but to also ensure my foundation of knowledge was solid. Obtaining an internship to expose myself to research of medications and its effects on the body. Lastly, maintaining leadership positions on campus to ensure I was a well rounded candidate for HUSOP."
The UpNext: What piece of advice would you give to college graduates who want to become entrepreneurs or attend graduate school?
Dr. Hill: "Follow YOUR HEART and YOUR PASSION. We only have one life to live, living by the wants and needs of others will never provide genuine satisfaction. Never take NO for an answer. And remember you will always get out what you put in!"
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