We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Georgia Dawkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Georgia below.

Hi Georgia, thanks for joining us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

My business is a one-stop shop for professionals who want to position themselves as experts in media. My whole career has been about making sure underserved voices are seen and heard. After 10 years as a journalist, I thought creating my own company was the best way to make an impact. My clients come to me for content development, talent coaching, video production, and training on how to pitch to media.

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

My career in television started 15 years ago when I got my first local news internship at WESH 2 News (NBC) in Orlando. At that time, I was a freshman and internships were unpaid. I worked two days a week in the newsroom and three days a week at a clinic back home in Sebring, FL.

For 10 weeks, I drove 3 hours roundtrip to get my feet wet. I knew after that internship that I absolutely wanted to be a producer—an executive producer to be specific.

The following year I was selected for a paid fellowship at ABC News in New York City. That was the experience of a lifetime. That summer I worked with World News with Charles Gibson, Good Morning America, and ABCNews.com. This is where I cut my teeth as a journalist.

From there, I started working in local news. My first station was WCTV (CBS) in Tallahassee. I worked part-time while finishing my degree at Florida A&M University (FAMU). My network at the FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communication has helped me every step of the way.

This business can be hectic. A lot of journalists move every 2 to 3 years because that’s the standard contact length. I love it because I love traveling!

After graduating, I was a producer in Fort Myers for two years at Waterman Broadcasting. Then, I moved to Louisiana to be Senior Producer at KSLA News 12 in Shreveport. I spent a year in Tampa at ABC Action News.

In 2016, I was laid off and began consulting for the first time. That’s when I got the spark to start my own company. I moved to Atlanta to help create and develop a talk show but since then, I’ve done so much more. I produced a tech news show, an entertainment news magazine, a true crime series, and several live productions.

It’s hard to pick a favorite.

In 2018, I wrote and published my first book, “Everybody Knows: The Power of Being in Position.” In 2019, I launched a podcast inspired by the book called The Purpose Producer Podcast. I’m now on season 4 of the show and I’m having the time of my life.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’ve been laid off four times in the last 7 years. Two of those layoffs happened at the same company within 7 months.

Each time, I’ve discovered something new about resilience. I’ve found new ways to bounce back.

Therapy is crucial but now I have a new hobby that not only helps me but it brings joy to others.

In 2020, I started performing standup. I talked about it for years before I actually walked into a club for their open mic night. My first performance was three minutes and I knew nothing about writing jokes. I just knew that I could make my coworkers laugh.

After that first mic, I began working on my writing more consistently. I want to be known as a great writer more than anything.

Remember, I’m a journalist first. Storytelling is at the heart of everything that I do.

In the last two years, I’ve performed in Las Vegas, Chicago, and Philadelphia. With comedy, I can take the saddest parts of my life and breathe new life into those experiences.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

I always tell people that I’m a reluctant entrepreneur. I didn’t choose the business owner life, it chose me.

I’ve had my company for 5 years and I’ve been kicking and screaming every step of the way. I do not recommend just jumping into entrepreneurship. You should definitely start with a plan and then have a plan for that plan.

I didn’t do that. I jumped. Okay… Maybe I was pushed a little.

Because I didn’t have a plan, I’ve often had to go back to being a full-time employee just to make ends meet. Entrepreneurship is hard. I’ve had many ups and downs on this journey.

After being laid off in 2016, I felt like I only had myself to rely on. I had a hard time finding a job and survival came down to my skills, my relationships, and my faith.

Over time, I learned to set fees, set boundaries, and add tax. I’m most proud of my process. I enjoy creating a workflow for the best possible outcome.

When working with multiple clients across various industries, it’s important to have a process that they can rely on. The process is more for you than it is for them. Knowing your ideal workflow helps you identify your ideal client.

Growing your business is more than knowing if the client has the budget to work with you. You also have to be compatible, and most importantly, both parties must be willing to do the work.

While I am a full-time business owner, I’m still working on being a full-time entrepreneur.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.georgiadawkins.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgiadawkins/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepurposeproducer
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiadawkins/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeorgiaDawkins
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHp4Dht9EqP4dwggP0ZPm8w

Image Credits
Darius Voncel