For three decades now, hundreds of clients have benefited from the magic touch of Makeda Smith and her agency, Jazzmyne Public Relations. A-list celebrities, athletes, authors, filmmakers, music producers, rappers, special events and businesses alike have received not only expert publicity service, management and consulting but a caring ear and kind heart from the agency head, popularly known as just “Makeda.” Now celebrating her 30th year in business and working from home the entire time, Makeda is still proudly and diligently pushing forward.
1) How did you get started working from home?
I started in entertainment public relations as an intern and worked my way up, after a few months, to a full time assistant. Within two years, I was a full fledged publicist. After working long hours every day beyond 9 to 5, I decided to quit and work from home. At that time, working from home was not really heard of and everyone told me I was crazy. But I had a young daughter at the time and I really wanted to spend more time with her – so I forged ahead. Now working from home is the trend – but not so much 30 years ago !
2) How did you choose the work-at-home career you do?
I was already working in entertainment PR, and had some accounts that I was responsible for. When I left the agency, some of my accounts opted to stay with me. Per my career choice I attended Boston University for undergraduate and USC for graduate studies in the fields of public relations and communication management.
3) How did you get started (basic initial steps)?
I literally had no seed money. I did have skills though, so I sent out a press release to everyone I knew announcing that I had opened my own agency !
4) How did you get your first client or customer or job?
My first few clients came from the agency I was previously working for and then more clients started to trickle in via word of mouth and referrals.
5) How do you market your business?
I always used ‘my work’ as my greatest marketing tool. By exceeding peoples expectations on the services delivered – they would tell others about me and my agency !
6) What does your usual day look like?
I get up in the morning, check all my social media and emails and tend to any pressing matters. Then I shut everything down to meditate for at least 10 to 30 minutes. Clients can be very demanding – so I take my quiet ‘me’ time very seriously as it grounds me for whatever the day may bring. After meditating I’m usually back on the computer for the duration of the day !
7) What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
I can’t really say. Every trial and tribulation has been a learning experience and in retrospect, I am grateful for all of it.
8) What advice would you give someone who wants to work from home? I am naturally very disciplined and organized, two very important components for working from home, especially now with all the social media as a distractions. Keep a daily ‘to do’ list to stay on schedule and on track!
Find Makeda Smith Online:
Website: Jazzmyne Pr
Facebook: @Jazzmyne Public Relations
Twitter: @makedaqueen
Learn from and get inspired by other work-at-home success stories! See all the other WAHS Success Profiles here.
[click_to_tweet tweet=”Learn How Makeda Smith Launched Her Own Successful Home Based PR Business, Jazzmyne Public Relations over 30 years ago! @makedaqueen #workathome #successprofile ” quote=”Learn How Makeda Smith Launched Her Own Successful Home Based PR Business, Jazzmyne Public Relations over 30 years ago! @makedaqueen #workathome #successprofile “]
