Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danielle Barker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Danielle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
When I created Crowned Radio Station it was 2021 and I finally decided that I wanted to pursue radio as not just a passion project but eventually make it a global digital broadcasting company. It was during this moment my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at 65 and I was sitting at her chemo appointment telling her how I wanted to really make this one day make bigger than anyone could imagine because the whole goal is to share the love of God through music and Christian talk shows. I remember my mom in her pink gown and her smile that looked over at me and simply said, “do it!” When I was in college and in high school I had an internship at a local radio station in Fort Lauderdale where I was from but it was hard being able to get passed the arena I was in which was editing commercials and shows for broadcasting. I truly have looked over my life and wished when I was that 11th grader in High School that I had my mind made up to pursue radio and television . I believe that timing is what mattered, maturity and having a relationship with God that has established my right now moment which is beautiful. If I had started in radio in High School or College I don’t believe there would be a Crowned Radio Station. Every part of the journey to the moment I created my station was needed because my heart is in the right place. So yes, there is a part of me that wishes it was sooner but in the aspect of being in the industry and learning more. However, the later has presented meaning, purpose and a passion in my life that drives me to share the love of God through radio which I may have not done if things were any different than what they are today!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a Digital Gospel Radio Station owner that shares the love of God through music and Christian Talk Radio. I work with many indie christian artist by sharing their music on the platform but also working with others who are looking to create their own christian talk show. We also offer advertising with us which we record and curate your commercials for airing. One of the beautiful things about our station is we are all things Christian Creative! Meaning not only do we interact with others that are music artist and talk show host but also to those who are in the creative space of making films, clothing and so much more. We also conduct interviews which is apart of Crowned Radio called, “Real Talk with Dani B.” we explore the artistry of many Christian artist and ask not only about the music but their journey with having a relationship with Christ! Those stories matter because they speak of the unconditional love God has for us! Many of the past guest have been drug addicts, in abuse relationships or have faced prison time. We also have a Christian talk show entitled, “Sunburnt Souls” out of Australia and this focuses on mental health and our faith which sometimes has been a huge conversation in the church! Overall, we are about expanding across the globe sharing individuals testimonies, music and christian content!
Key Focus:
1. Working with Indie Christian Artist -Sharing their music and offering opportunities for interviews
2. Helping Small Businesses get into digital marketing and advertising by partnering with us
3. Creating Christian talk shows/podcast
4. Working with Christian Creatives through marketing online, interviews, etc.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
This bible verse has been with me since the day my husband died over six years ago after battling with Type1 Diabetes since he was an adolescent. The moment I found my husband passed away it was a reminder to not bet on everything planned but to focus on everything God has promised. I have spent half of my life competing to be the best at everything and battling with the pressure that comes with that. I remember I had planned everything that Monday and had a goal circled in for that week but surely adding death to the agenda that week wasn’t something I saw coming. Everything that I’m doing with my business and even me being a poet is about resilience through leaning on Gods word and His promise on my life. My journey of losing my husband at 33 and dealing with raising my daughters which at the time were one, two and twelve was a tuff journey. I was angry, disappointed and frustrated with life until I fully surrender to the Lord. It has taken me six years to truly heal and I didn’t honestly start examining my heart to the degree I have done the past year and half until listening to Pastor Anthony Mitchell of 2819 Church takes us threw Matthew for a full year and still rolling!! I had to forgive! I live in freedom right now! I live for Christ and through the Radio Station I get to disciple through that on so many different creative levels. Resilience is a beautiful experience for me because God gets the GLORY!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn the desire to be competitive! This probably will shock people and think well she won’t be surviving in business long but let me explain. My competitive nature tainted my heart because in the process I did a few things: 1. I’d compare myself to the other (s). 2. Find something wrong with the person/business (not solving a problem but focusing on how they weren’t as great as me, etc. 3. Create unhealthy motives in achieving my business/personal goals.
Often times my nature was to look at a person or business and create a laundry list of why I was better than them! I would critique or become super critical during my so called competitive season. The one thing about this behavior was it would create anxiety in me and everything I was going after was just show I was better!! I wasn’t solving a problem because I wanted to see change or make impact it was because I wanted to say, “I’m better!”
I unlearned this by looking at my heart, I was selfish, self-righteous and arrogant at this time in my life. I was just starting business after business only to be done with it when I felt like I had somehow beat the competition I found. Instead my heart had to change and I had to examine my “why” I started my business on, “how can I serve people better” “what can I add to the current industry that is missing to bring people to Christ” “How can I collaborate with them or even learn from what someone else is already doing” and the biggest of all “who are you doing it for?”
I may not always be the leader of the industry but the souls/people or artist I do get to touch matter! We live in a society where followers matter and likes are seen as a right to passage on so many levels. However, those are not driving forces of my success! I pay attention to analytics when it comes to the business to see how can I improve from a marketing standpoint to share more incredible stories on how God has changes so many people lives. There are a million other digital radio stations with a ton of followers but I look at them not as competition but as my brother/sister in Christ that is after the same mission!! Disciplining through christian music and talk radio!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.crownedradio.com ; www.danibspeaks.com
- Instagram: @theofficialcrownedradio @danispeaks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielle.mike ; https://www.facebook.com/crownedradiostation/
