We recently connected with Kierra Dixson and have shared our conversation below.

Kierra, appreciate you joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?

Several things come to mind as being valuable lessons as I reflect on my career so far – finding a team and company with the right culture fit, working hard and being results-oriented. But what I have taken heed to as a business owner is to document EVERYTHING!

Have you ever heard the saying, “if it isn’t documented, it never happened?”

Early in my career I worked as a Case Manager – I meet with clients to understand their needs and connect them to the appropriate resources. I also assisted clients in making important life decisions, completing paperwork and advocating on their behalf.

I learned that the proper documentation is a priority! It can help mitigate disputes, clarify policies and answer important questions about the company. Understanding basic documentation and how you can improve your documentation efforts could help you protect the organization and simplify your internal processes.

Important discussions and meetings with your clients/employees should be fully documented and written down. Verbal agreements are not considered sound-proof in the event of litigation. Therefore, in order to protect yourself and your company, it’s important to put everything that’s discussed in writing.

Although email communications are prevalent in today’s world, they should serve as notes to a follow-up of a conversation.

Kierra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Kierra Dixson; I was born and raised in the city known for hustle – Detroit.

Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, I learned early in life that your education is valuable tool and to strive to do your best in all that you do. I attended Wayne State University to pursue a degree in Public Relations (PR).

I fell in love with PR after a couple courses. Making connections is a true passion of mine. I am dedicated to enhancing client visibility to their publics, delivering high-quality service, and developing strategic communications plans that protect brands and generate awareness.

As the Founder & CEO, I created the Melaninaire brand to help entrepreneurs sharpen their lens of diversity and inclusion. Our agency holds a pride of working with brands + businesses that currently have their brand foundation laid.

Melaninaire Public Relations serves as the voice behind innovative + socially responsible brands that strive to benefit others and solve problems within their target reach through PR..

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn is not asking for help.

I have always thought of it as a sign of “weakness.” Often times it made me feel uneasy because it required surrendering control to someone else.

As a business owner, I find that having a team as strong as its leader is vital. I decided to hire interns who are currently in their junior or senior year in college that are majoring in PR.

Interns can bring a fresh perspective to help solve problems, brainstorm new products and improve operations. They can help provide a different view and infuse your business with insights and ideas that you may not have noticed while performing your daily duties or doing business the way it’s always been done.

By including interns in your business meetings and brainstorming sessions, you can leverage a fresh perspective that has the potential to improve your daily operations, long-term strategy and bottom line.

Any advice for managing a team?

Effective communication skills ensure team-wide clarity on tasks, deadlines, and goals. This transparency allows a team to focus on their productivity and collaboration. On the flip side, poor digital communication management for teams lowers employee morale and productivity.

Employee morale doesn’t simply translate into how happy your people are; it’s a direct reflection of how healthy your company culture is, how well you and other leaders are communicating with teams.

Here are some ways I like to maintain high morale:
– Prioritize employee mental health
– Create an open line of communication
– Encourage feedback
– Organize team-building activities

Contact Info:

• Website: www.melaninairepr.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaninairepr/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melaninairepr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/melaninairepr/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/melaninairepr

Image Credits
Kyra Wesley, Jessica Baker, and Brianna Lee