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

• 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]

• 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]

• 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

• 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]

• 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]

Lessons in Leadership & Team Building

• 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]

• 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.

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

• 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]

• 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

• 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]

• 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]

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]