Podcast Summary: Black Entrepreneur Experience – Episode 505
Title: Uncharted Paths with Rakia Reynolds ~ Rewind
Host: Dr. Frances Richards
Guest: Rakia Reynolds, Founder & CEO at Skai Blue Media
Date: March 12, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode spotlights the inspiring entrepreneurial journey of Rakia Reynolds, a mompreneur and the founder of Skai Blue Media, a multimedia communications agency. Dr. Frances Richards and Rakia delve into Rekia’s unconventional road from unemployment to founding a thriving, internationally recognized PR firm. The conversation is rich with insights on business branding, resilience, team building, mentorship, and maintaining authenticity as a leader and mother.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Rakia’s Path to Entrepreneurship
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Early Career & Layoffs
- Rakia started out as a TV production assistant and rose to associate producer roles but faced repeated layoffs as the media landscape shifted.
- Her move into entrepreneurship was prompted by unemployment and the need to create her own opportunities.
- “I like to share the story behind the glory.” [05:43]
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Starting Skai Blue Media
- Leveraged skills from TV, content production, and business school to carve out a niche in storytelling for brands.
- Her first clients were Temple University and a local shoe boutique — built reputation brick by brick.
- “I also know that you’re as good as the last thing that you produce.” [07:41]
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On Building Portfolio & Growth
- Rakia worked for a fraction of the cost at the beginning, producing standout work to build word-of-mouth referrals and gradually scale her client base and team.
Defining & Achieving Success
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The “Aha Moment”
- Realization of success came after expanding office space and payroll, especially as clients began to compare her output to much larger firms.
- “When I got a bigger office space and I had people working with me…that’s when I said, okay, we’re really in the market.” [11:29]
- Realization of success came after expanding office space and payroll, especially as clients began to compare her output to much larger firms.
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Daily Habits for Success
- Meditation and mindfulness are core practices, helping her visualize goals and enter high-pressure meetings with confidence.
- “For me, the definition of success is being able to have a peace of mind…” [13:35]
- “I started off with five minutes a day…now I’m giving myself about 20 to 30 minutes per day.” [14:47]
- Meditation and mindfulness are core practices, helping her visualize goals and enter high-pressure meetings with confidence.
Lessons in Leadership & Team Building
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Hiring Lessons
- Rakia learned to hire slowly and fire quickly, initially making impulsive hires based on charisma rather than skills, which affected effectiveness and cost the company.
- “My mentor told me…when adding people to your team, make that a slow process. And when you have to eliminate from your team, make it a very quick process.” [16:01]
- Rakia learned to hire slowly and fire quickly, initially making impulsive hires based on charisma rather than skills, which affected effectiveness and cost the company.
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Human Capital Importance
- Emphasized surrounding oneself with the right people; the quality of her team now enables her to think bigger.
- For solopreneurs with financial constraints: be transparent, treat team members as partners, and recognize that setbacks are part of the journey.
- “It’s all about really enjoying the journey because…failures are pieces of your life that will help bring you to that next step.” [29:34]
Mentorship and Reciprocity
- Finding & Being a Mentor
- Mentorship must be both aspirational and relatable, with reciprocity at its core.
- Cites Adam Grant’s Give and Take as influential on her perspective.
- “There has to be the right level of aspiration, and then there has to be a level of relatability.” [18:04]
- “At the end of all my meetings…‘What can I do to help you?’” [19:22]
Branding, PR Strategies & Authentic Storytelling
- Quality Over Quantity in PR
- Strongly rebuts the claim “all PR is good PR;” instead advocates for a strategic, authentic, and story-driven approach.
- “Not all PR is good PR. You have to be strategic with your PR because you can have one great story...” [23:28]
- Skai Blue Media aims to move beyond press releases to multimedia storytelling, emphasizing trust and gravitas in media appearances.
- Strongly rebuts the claim “all PR is good PR;” instead advocates for a strategic, authentic, and story-driven approach.
Overcoming Challenges & Staying Resilient
- Handling Setbacks
- Avoid relying on single clients; spread risk and set boundaries early. Scale operations at a manageable rate.
- Self-belief and affirmation are essential: “you have to be the one that's believing in yourself.” [34:34]
Work-Life Juggling for Mompreneurs
- Blending Personal & Professional Roles
- Rakia uses visual metaphors—like her signature octopus earring—to express the many roles she juggles.
- Accepts the occasional “dropped pin” in life, focusing on forgiving herself and starting fresh.
- “Sometimes I have to be okay that a pin is going to drop… I have to be okay with being able to drop the pin every now and again.” [36:13]
Technology & Tools
- Relies heavily on Dell XPS laptop and her smartphone for “mobile mogul” efficiency, echoing the mobility and adaptability required in her work.
- “It sounds, it probably sounds so boring and lame, but that’s what I have with me all the time.” [38:06]
Self-Care & Book Recommendations
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Self-Care
- Takes intentional time for yoga, walks, massages, or solo beach retreats, now guilt-free.
- “Now I don’t feel guilty about my self-care…just having that time for myself.” [39:23]
- Takes intentional time for yoga, walks, massages, or solo beach retreats, now guilt-free.
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Books
- The Secret — helpful for maintaining positivity in periods of uncertainty.
- Recommends anything by Adam Grant (Originals, Give and Take).
- “The Secret has been tremendous for me because it’s allowed me to… look at the metaphysical side of things…” [40:39]
Naming Skai Blue Media
- Inspired by a compliment about offering clarity (“sky blue picture”) and her daughter's name (Skai, meaning "to love"), as well as the color blue's message of trust, honesty, and sincerity in branding.
- “Our belief is that we are. We love to be sincere and honest when we're communicating.” [43:17]
Influences & Black Entrepreneur Inspirations
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Influencers
- Draws insight from business education, mentors, and her “friendtor” board.
- “For me, it’s having the right people around me…In the world of entrepreneurship, you cannot do it by yourself.” [27:38]
- Draws insight from business education, mentors, and her “friendtor” board.
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Black Entrepreneurs
- Inspired by Oprah (“story behind the glory”) and Ava DuVernay, who began her ascent in her 30s—showing success isn’t only a young person’s game.
- “Ava DuVernay…she’s inspired a new world of Xennials. Love that.” [44:28]
- Inspired by Oprah (“story behind the glory”) and Ava DuVernay, who began her ascent in her 30s—showing success isn’t only a young person’s game.
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Introduction and company overview: [00:57] – [05:21]
- Entrepreneurial origin story: [05:43] – [11:16]
- Success and scaling up: [11:21] – [13:26]
- Daily habits and mindfulness: [13:35] – [15:54]
- Lessons in hiring and team building: [16:01] – [17:41]
- Mentorship advice: [18:04] – [20:56]
- What’s working now in business: [21:18] – [22:53]
- Media and strategic communications: [23:28] – [26:13]
- Influences and mentorship models: [26:22] – [29:34]
- Advice for solopreneurs and managing constraints: [29:34] – [32:33]
- Worst moment in business and takeaways: [32:48] – [35:21]
- Work-life juggle as a mompreneur: [35:40] – [37:40]
- Essential technology: [37:49] – [38:43]
- Self-care and recommended books: [38:54] – [42:32]
- Company name story: [42:32] – [44:18]
- Inspirational Black entrepreneurs: [44:21] – [45:36]
- Fun Facts Lightning Round: [45:52] – [46:58]
- Parting advice: [47:15] – [47:55]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “I like to share the story behind the glory.” – Rakia Reynolds [05:43]
- “Challenges provoke the power within you.” – Citing Bishop T.D. Jakes, Rakia Reynolds [07:51]
- “You're as good as the last thing that you produce.” – Rakia Reynolds [07:41]
- “Not all PR is good PR. You have to be strategic…” – Rakia Reynolds [23:28]
- “Let your setbacks be a setup for really great comeback.” – Rakia Reynolds quoting Joel Osteen [47:15]
- “For me…the definition of success is being able to have a peace of mind.” – Rakia Reynolds [13:35]
- “I have to be okay with being able to drop the pin every now and again.” – Rakia Reynolds [36:13]
Final Takeaways
- Rakia Reynolds exemplifies resilience, authenticity, and innovation.
- Building a successful business often means starting scrappy, leveraging unique skills, and growing through referrals and reputation.
- Strategic communications and branding are key—quality over quantity in media exposure.
- Key to growth: intentional team-building, reciprocal mentorship, and self-belief.
- Self-care and mindfulness are not luxuries but necessities for long-term success.
- Representation and late bloomers matter—success has no age limit.
Connect with Rakia Reynolds and Skai Blue Media:
- Website: skaibluemedia.com
- Social: @rakiareynolds (all platforms), @skaibluemedia
- Email: info@skaibluemedia.com
“Let your setbacks be a setup for really great comeback.” – Rakia Reynolds [47:15]
