Getting Laid Off Can Sometimes Be A Blessing

09/27/19 • 31 min

If you’ve ever experienced unemployment you understand the fear and even PTSD it can create. Having the rug pulled from beneath your career and finances can leave you reeling and wondering what the future holds. It can also be a blessing in disguise, nudging some of us toward an entrepreneurial path. This week’s guest Rakia Reynolds (@rakiareynolds) founder and CEO of Skai Blue Media (www.skaibluemedia.com), is no stranger to braving the business owner trail. Her brief experience with unemployment led her to ask herself how she could prevent having her world turned upside down ever again. How could she ensure that her children would grow up financially secure? How could she stake her claim in an industry that didn’t necessarily have a designated space for all of her gifts and talents? There was no choice but to carve that space for herself. If you’re asking yourself the same questions, you DEFINITELY need to hear this episode.

Follow your UnBossed host, ESSENCE Work & Money editor, Marquita Harris (@marquita_harris_) and let her know what you think of the episode using #UnBossedPodcast! Share, comment and subscribe!

2:46 - What was Rakia's very first job?

9:45 - How Rakia rolled a TV production skills over to magazines!

11:24 - How a setback became Rakia's genesis as an entrepreneur

16:31 - Rakia's vision for Skai Blue Media + some of her clients

24:17 - What it took for Rakia to start and effectively run a successful agency

UnBossed Host: Marquita Harris (@marquita_harris_)
Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)
Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)
Bookings: Ashley Hobbs, Marquita Harris, Tiffany Ashitey
Audio: Anthony Frasier (@anthonyfrasier) + Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)
Music: Gold Standard Creative (@gscdotnyc)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Follow your UnBossed host, ESSENCE Work & Money editor, Marquita Harris (@marquita_harris_) and let her know what you think of the episode using #UnBossedPodcast! Share, comment and subscribe!

2:46 - What was Rakia's very first job?

9:45 - How Rakia rolled a TV production skills over to magazines!

11:24 - How a setback became Rakia's genesis as an entrepreneur

16:31 - Rakia's vision for Skai Blue Media + some of her clients

24:17 - What it took for Rakia to start and effectively run a successful agency

UnBossed Host: Marquita Harris (@marquita_harris_)
Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)
Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)
Bookings: Ashley Hobbs, Marquita Harris, Tiffany Ashitey
Audio: Anthony Frasier (@anthonyfrasier) + Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)
Music: Gold Standard Creative (@gscdotnyc)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Previous Episode

Multi-Passionate? Your Path Doesn’t Have To Be Linear To Be Successful

Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg, once said that career paths are beginning to resemble a jungle gym rather than the ladders of our parents’ generations. We’re searching for more and are more inclined than ever to sculpt holistically fulfilling lives - careers included. Many of us are becoming comfortable blazing career paths that tap into our gifts. But there are still so many who are afraid to step into the unknown and take a chance on their passions. Umindi Francis Denis (@umindi360), founder and CEO of UFCG (@ufcgpr) - the international strategic brand consulting firm, knows all about following her passions to cut the trail best suited for her. From being a Neurobehavioral Psychology major at Temple University, to a successful run in investment banking, to becoming a PR expert, Umindi has experience in spades and story after story of how her desire to follow her dreams is the best decision anyone could ever make.

Let us know what dreams you’re following and how linear (or nonlinear) your career path has been! Use #UnBossedPodcast and make sure to follow UnBossed host, Marquita Harris (@marquita_harris_)!

UnBossed Host: Marquita Harris (@marquita_harris_)
Executive Producer: Tiffany Ashitey (@misstiffsays)
Producers: Ashley Hobbs (@ashleylatruly) + Shantel Holder (@shadesofshan_)
Bookings: Ashley Hobbs, Marquita Harris, Tiffany Ashitey
Audio: Anthony Frasier (@anthonyfrasier) + Josh Gwynn (@regardingjosh)
Music: Gold Standard Creative (@gscdotnyc)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Next Episode

Don’t Be Afraid To Protect Your Ideas

Intellectual property theft has long been a problem in our community, specifically when it comes to Black women. As today’s guest explains, no one is going to vouch for your work and worth like you. If you want to be a true boss you must first understand the value of protecting what you create. Host, Marquita Harris (@marquita_harris_) talks with Lisa Davis, Esq., a seasoned entertainment lawyer with clients like legendary rap group, Public Enemy and Black author extraordinaire, Terry McMillan. Davis is clear that time has been up for Black people being cheated out of our intellectual property and is on a 20+ year mission to ensure that we see the wealth and dividends of our creative process instead of making others wealthy due to our own ignorance of the process and pitfalls.

Use #UnBossedPodcast to share your thoughts and even your experiences with knowing your value and protecting your IP! Don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe!