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

Hi Jai, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

After seeing firsthand the roadblocks creatives face when trying to blossom their career in the music industry, I knew that the only way to close the gap that was preventing artist from success, was to educate them on the foundational business aspects that are typically shadowed in today’s music industry. I set a goal to master all aspects of music publishing, royalty administration, business and brand development with the hopes of teaching my findings to other creatives.

When I first started my company, I was also simultaneously working on my family’s food truck. Because we worked events where we were heavily surrounded by artist/creatives, it was easy to simply drop them some helpful jewels as we had acquaintances, which eventually evolved to me giving consultations from the back of my food truck. Eventually I created a company and started to help develop rising local artist. In 2018, I got the opportunity to curate and teach a music business workshop, traveling to cities all over the country. Realizing that artist nationwide needed this education propelled what’s now known as Jai Yoko Ent.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Jai Yoko is a pioneering  leader in the music industry, educating rising creatives on what the industry purposely keeps hidden. As an entrepreneur and mentor, she uses her skills and wit to ensure that the next generation of stars do not lose their footing on their way to stardom.

Jai currently owns and operates Jai Yoko Entertainment, a boutique Consulting and Creative Development Agency created to assist creatives in building successful careers in the entertainment industry–without the help of a label. This past year, Jai was inducted as a member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYS) as well as serves as an Advisory Board Member with Songwriters Organization of North America (SONA.) She also co-curated their newest endeavor, The Art of Music Tour, a music and financial literacy seminar.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

Proof of Devine timing. I was in Baltimore, Maryland for a tour date, teaching my workshop. There was a young lady in the audience who knew every answer to every question I was asking. After the event, we introduced ourselves, come to find out we have a mutual client. A couple days later, we do our due diligence of following up with one another and realize we BOTH live in Orlando’ despite meeting in Baltimore. Within 48 hours we had our first meeting of the minds and have been business partners ever since. We met in Baltimore in 2018 and have grown to co-owning our next business venture: PrettySMART Studios, a creative space.

During our first meeting we realize just how much our goals and views aligned, and we’ve been great friends ever since. I’ve been blessed to be mentored by an amazing attorney, entrepreneur, and leader, Attorney Shannon Ligon, in the realms of law, community engagement, and the nonprofit sector. Our story was proof that the right people will come into your life and align you for greatness. “Iron sharpens iron” as we often say to each other.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

My goal of creating more minority equity and ownership in the music industry, specifically for the black and brown communities, is the fuel behind my fire. For YEARS black and brown Artists’ music has been exploited and profited by major corporations in the music industry, without giving them their proper credit, ownership, royalties, or even the legacy that they deserve. The lack of education in the industry, specifically the transparency of how money is collected in the industry, is a huge hinderance in the music business. My hope is to educate as many creatives on the business aspects of the music industry so they can learn to be their OWN resources by having the knowledge of the best practices of the industry. Hopefully we create a snowball effect by teaching under reach communities, and them taking the knowledge back to their communities and spreading the word. Educating on the business aspects of the music business and literally alter the music industry as we know it for the better of the creatives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jaiyokoent.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaiyokoent/
• Facebook: https://www./Facebook.com/jaiyokoent
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaiyokoent
• Twitter: https://www./Twitter.com/jaiyokoent