365 Entrepreneur: Princess of Radio
PrIncess, on-aIr PersonalIty
So, PrIncess, what's your story?
I’m from the far eastside of Indianapolis. 25th and Post is pretty much where I grew up. I was at Warren Central until my junior year. The move was for the best because my grades were slacking. I moved to a different side of the city where I did not know anyone and started over focused on school. After graduation I knew I wanted to do radio, but I didn’t know what to do. Going through my process I found out it’s about networking and who you know. That's when I ran Into my mentor Keyshia Nicole who Is amazing! I love her and I can never thank her enough. She blessed me with this opportunity. Watch who you are around, because you never know who they can connect you with.
What inspired your passion for radio?
What brought me to radio I can was watching my brother do tv in high school at Warren Central High School and it inspIred me and he made It look so fun. So, I was like let me go ahead and sign-up for these classes next year. I did tv the first semester. After that semester I did radio because it was more behind the scenes so if I messed up no one could really see me.
What are some things we can be looking forward to from you?
Be looking out for me to be hosting more events, parties and getting out more in the city. That was not something I was looking forward to in the beginning, but for it to begin like that I was like, “Okay, I'm going to work my way more into it! I’ve been working alongside great people. I have to really shout out to B Swift. He Is one of my people that I go to for help and advice about anything!
What dId you have to give up to achieve your current level of success?
I had to give up the people I hung around. The people around you sometimes do things that can affect where you’re going in your career. One mistake can end your career forever. Even if it’s something you didn’t do directly it can affect you. I could be sitting in the backseat doing nothing wrong, but being a recognizable face end up on the news. Making the company look bad could cost me my job. So, I had to sacrifice the people I hung around.
Which hurdles dId you personally face to get where u at and how dId you overcome them?
Not having a car was a really big hurdle for me. Especially during my internship. For those three months I was not getting paid and had to get picked up an dropped off five days a week. It was hard because I had to give gas money to people to get me here. But, I had to do what I had to do. I prayed a lot that God would bless me with a car and more money so I could do it on my own. He answered my prayers for both and now I’m here!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself being a full-time radio personality doing mid-day in Atlanta. That’s my dream job. I love the city, the vibe and the bigger market there! I want to work for the Rickey Smiley show.