Today we’d like to introduce you to Shem Rivera.
Hi Shem, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The Cove was co-founded by seven individuals who love God and had a strong desire for community. After doing life together for several years, we noticed that something was missing in our city. Our realization that young adults lacked an environment where they can have fun and build community in a safe space peaked our attention. After several meetings, long nights, and brainstorming; The Cove was created.
We always say that we are blessed to have a team with various skills, talents, and social footprints. Here is an overview of the individuals behind our movement: Eric Diggs, our CEO, is an alum of Cornell University, published author, and works in Finance. Darin Starks is the host of Just Different Podcast, which has over 200k followers with prominent interviewees. Jordan Diggs is a prolific content creator who has an audience of over 650k across multiple platforms. Aaron Dews is an artist, producer, songwriter, and creative entrepreneur. Jonathan Diggs is an influencer who has a creative flair for graphic design and fashion. Shem Rivera is a worship leader, songwriter, and NCAA Division 1 basketball referee. Carlton Batts, “Battz”, is a full-time artist with over 300k followers across social media.
In just a month after launching the business and before our first event was held on November 11th, we were able to grow our Instagram account to over 10k followers. This overwhelming support and interest from diverse individuals signaled that something truly special was happening. In the time since, The Cove’s notoriety has only accelerated. From national and global news outlets to attendees from Australia, Canada, Germany and over 20 states, The Cove has become a global phenomenon hosting monthly events.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every startup faces its share of obstacles, and our journey has been no exception. Currently, the majority of our Co-founders work full time jobs outside of The Cove, so it has been a lot of early mornings and late nights as we work to grow the business and take on the new opportunities that continue to come our way. The global attention has placed us at the forefront of an emerging industry, but with that comes an increased pressure to sustain our momentum. We understand that persistence is key to achieving goals, however consistency is essential for maintaining them. The diverse backgrounds of our team allow us to be nimble during this growth phase and tackle any challenge that comes our way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Cove Nashville?
The Cove is a groundbreaking, pop up, Christian nightclub designed for young adults to build community, have fun, and encounter God. We specialize in alcohol and substance-free partying, providing a safe and welcoming environment for individuals of all backgrounds to connect with each other. Currently, we host monthly events.
What sets us apart is our ability to connect with Gen Z and Millennials through authentic experiences and organic marketing. In just our first year, our organic approach has garnered international attention, demonstrating unprecedented growth and exposure. In an age where screen time is rapidly increasing and church attendance is declining, The Cove is revitalizing in-person experiences and fostering spiritual connection.
Our mission is to address the pressing needs of loneliness, lack of community, and a desire for more faith-based experiences and health-conscious living. The Cove is more than just a nightclub; it’s a community and a movement. Hearing our attendees express these exact pain points makes us proud as Co-founders, knowing that we’ve created a business that actively addresses a significant need within our community.
The Cove challenges preconceived notions about nightclubs, offering a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere where people meet their best friends, dance freely, pray for one another, and worship God. It’s an experience that words cannot fully capture; you must come to an event to truly experience the atmosphere and understand its impact on the individual.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Without risk, there can be no reward. We believe in challenging the status quo and thinking outside the box. Our innovative idea of a Christian nightclub was unprecedented. It took a leap of faith to step out and create this business, with no guarantee that people would come to our events. With little capital, no major headliners, fresh social media accounts, and a passion for God and our generation, we started this business. When we started, we had no idea that global media outlets would cover our journey. We simply saw a need and took action, creating the solution ourselves. This approach has allowed us to stand out while remaining true to our beliefs. Through this journey, we’ve learned that all God needs is your yes, and He will do the rest.
Pricing:
- General Admission Ticket $30
- Early Bird Ticket $20
- Group of 2 Bundle $50
- Group of 5 Bundle $100
- Group of 10 Bundle $200
Contact Info:
- Website: thecovenash.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecovenash/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCoveNashville
