We recently connected with Kimatni Rawlins and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kimatni thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

As the multi-national lifestyle firm that blends test drives of the latest cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles around music, fashion, travel, and technology, Automotive Rhythms is an Urban Automotive Experience! I worked for my father’s publication coming out of college and wished to create my own publishing platform. Thus I manifested Automotive Rhythms as the brand that would eventually consist of Internet, print, radio, network TV, and events. The initiation was challenging since awareness of my company and service was a major obstacle 25 years ago. There was no social media to prophesize your capabilities. Thus, most of the PR and marketing was gorilla style as I promoted my auto columns in other magazines such as Rides, Vibe, Complex, etc.

Now, we are a multimedia and marketing gateway for receiving up-to-date information on new rides, car shows, vehicle technology, customization projects, motorsports, celebrity profiles, and auto lifestyle experiences. Automotive Rhythms’ fundamental media tool is a line of insightful columns that speak to consumers in their respective voices from a uniquely social perspective. The reader-friendly reviews offer value in expanding and diverse communities, which ultimately creates new opportunities for auto companies! We continue to set the bar for how consumers interact with developing auto technologies across the board such as electric vehicles. We are second to none because of our unique ability to profile an automotive brand in several fashions simultaneously.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Our mission is to educate consumers globally on the various dynamics that comprise the automotive industry and its corresponding products, technologies, and accessories while simultaneously strategizing with tier-one brands interested in broadening their market approach.

I established the company in 2002 to serve as the communications liaison between automotive companies and the urban car-buying market. Over the years, Automotive Rhythms has expanded its outreach to luxury, sports, and entertainment through niche marketing and automotive consultation within the aforementioned sectors. Prior to spearheading Automotive Rhythms, Kimatni directed the Communications and Marketing departments for On Wheels, Inc. (OWI), which published African Americans On Wheels, Latinos On Wheels and Asians On Wheels magazines. My seven-year tenure with OWI and the preceding term with Jaguar Cars of North America fortified me with extensive comprehension on the mechanics of the automotive industry, both internally (corporate) and externally (markets).

I travel the globe assessing new automobiles and their corresponding technologies for millions of readers and viewers. As an automotive journalist, I have covered hundreds of automotive product introductions and evaluated scores of new cars, trucks, SUVs, bikes and green energy (Autoganic) vehicles. Accordingly,

Within the television world, I host and produce Automotive Rhythms TV, www.ARtvLive.com. ARtv received its network debut in 2006 through a partnership with Comcast’s Vibe On Demand. Shortly after, we were picked up by Viacom’s BET J..

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I was always schooled in the business of building and maintaining relationships with respect, integrity, and sensibility. I insisted that executives I engaged with in the corporate world knew me as a friend first, which has led to life-long bonds with presidents, CEOs, VPs of Marketing, and Directors of Communications with all the major auto brands. They have watched my daughters grow up on Facebook and followed my Nomadic Journeys across the globe as I explore enlightenment to balance my mind state from the rigors of the working world. So now my reputation in strong which helps me advance further in less amounts of time.

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

Well, you must always maintain composure but simultaneously voice concerns and speak out when you are being taken advantage of. In a three-month span, three brands I had created events for and looked to continue the activations actually highjacked my blueprints and tried to execute without me the preceding years. Keep in mind these were the agencies of the auto brands so these individuals didn’t know me personally or understand my depth with their bosses. Of course, I was livid, but I penned methodical letters to each auto brand letting them know how deceitful their agencies were while CCing the agency rep on the email. I had compiled facts, details, data, and screenshots from conversations so there was no way around disavowing my argument. I’m sure it was a hard pill to swallow, but you can’t go around taking advantage of smaller businesses.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.AutomotiveRhythms.com
• Instagram: @AutomotiveRhythms
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimatni/
• Youtube: @ARtvLive