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

Makeda , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Life is a series of risk taking. Taking risks, stepping out of our comfort zones – that’s how we grow and evolve. I can recall three life changing events that directed and or/ changed the course of my life.

The first was when I was 17 years old. Many of my peers were choosing to attend college locally in Chicago or somewhere in the state of Illinois. I boldly opted for Boston University, going to a city I had never been to or knew anyone in. Living in Boston for four years ‘grew me up’ beyond just academics. I moved off campus during my freshmen year and embarked upon adulthood with no holds barred. The holistic lifestyle I embrace today has its roots in Boston, where counter culture practices became my norm!

The second risk was when I left my position at a well reputed PR firm in Hollywood, with a job and title most 20 something year olds would die for, and started my own business in my small North Hollywood apartment – as a single parent mother. No savings, no bank loans. Just my skills and an armor of faith. I wrote a press release, copied it and stuffed them in envelopes ( we didn’t have email back then!) and announced my agency, Jazzmyne Public Relations (www.jazzmynepr.com) named for my first daughter, Jasmine. My industry peers thought I was crazy and many told me I’d never survive or be able to compete with the bigger agencies with fancy offices up and down Hollywood and Sunset Blvd. But it’s been 36 years now – and guess what – I’m still here !

My third risk was when I was sinking and had lost my desire to remain on the planet. The market had crashed in 2008 and I crashed with it – losing everything. My multiple real estate investments, my home, my cars, my money and my man ! I was a walking bundle of depression when an earth angel named Magda, crossed my path. Magda, at age 75, was a glowing embodiment of goddess energy. Her energy infused me with hope and she inspired me to start back exercising. Her daily regimen was yoga. Because of Magda, I dragged myself to a yoga studio and then a pole studio (where yoga was the warm up!).

My first pole class was my introduction to movement as medicine. My brain and body was entrained as my problems outside of the studio disappeared and class by class, bruise by bruise, struggle by struggle, I transformed my depressed 50 year old self into a living, breathing goddess. Today my dance brand, Flying Over 50 (www.flyingover50.com), has been recognized around the world, I’ve written my first book on Amazon, a motivational guide, “Flying Over 50 at Any Age, a 30-Day Self Journal for Speeding Past Limitations,” and I have launched a pro-aging coaching practice, The Makeda Method (www.themakedamethod.com) where I teach seniors breath work, deep stretch yoga, and flow dance movement.

Taking risks is how we learn to live life !

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?

I’m a veteran entertainment industry publicist. I’ve run my own boutique PR agency, Jazzmyne Public Relations, for 36 years now. I started my business in my home and still work from home. That seems so normal now – but back in the late 80’s working from home was kind of unheard of, especially in the glitzy business of entertainment. I’ve spent decades working with and representing a who’s who list of entertainers and celebrities. The world has changed so much now, with the internet granting us all access to explore our creative side, and so today my services aren’t just limited to high profile entertainers. Influencers, creatives, businesses, independent artists, etc., they are all represented by my agency.

I started my pole artist/fitness practice 13 years ago. I was 50 at the time – I’ve well over 60 now ! I had no intention of becoming an influencer. One of my Instagram posts went viral – back in 2016, and the internet ate me alive. They dragged me for being ‘old’ and a granny with the audacity to work out and dance on a pole. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger – so I just buckled down in my practice and posted more! I addressed the haters, accusing them of ageism and sexism. I wore higher heels and sexier clothes – lolol – and learned even more challenging pole tricks ! They say you never know who’s watching you – well I’m a publicist – so I guess everybody was – lol.

A few of my media contacts reached out to me and did positive profile features on me. Prevention Magazine even contacted me and did a six page spread on my pole practice as a woman over 50. I created Flying Over 50 as a brand to encourage older women to reclaim their inner sleeping goddess – through movement – not just pole movement – but movement period. Then the ‘pro-aging’ trend became a thing – and now I’m a movement coach, a micro-influencer, and an author.

I recently launched The Makeda Method as my coaching brand, and I now include men along with women and coach them to live a #SeniorSoftLife through breath work, deep stretch yoga and flow dance movement!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I’ve had my PR practice for 36 years now – and that’s pretty incredulous. A large part of my clientele is through referrals, as well as repeat business from clients I have represented over the decades. It’s really such a wondrous blessing.

My strategy has never been about competition. When I started my lil’ agency, the naysayers told me I’d never survive. I was a Black, single parent mom, operating out of her apartment. My naysayers thought the larger, fancier agencies were my competition. I never saw it that way. My focus was on providing personalized service, exceeding the clients expectations, and always working as a professional.

Yes, I was armed with my two degrees, so my intelligence helped me navigate the waters. Being raised in Chicago, I also believe my ‘street’ smarts kept me safe. But most importantly, my faith always kept me going. I believed in myself, my vision, and I had a strong passion to raise and provide for my daughters.

I always believed that my stellar reputation was more important than quick, fast money – so I always operated from a space of integrity and worked very hard. One disgruntled client can impact a business, so it was my goal to make sure that didn’t happen – and if it did – I always wanted to be able to prove I had done the work!

Make your only competition yourself and out do your self every time! Your clients will love you for it !

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Other than training and knowledge, I honestly believe that faith is crucial to succeeding in business in any field. As entrepreneurs and creatives, the challenges we meet are never ending! It takes faith to see you through – knowing that beyond every hurdle is growth and a blessing. It’s just the way life works !

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jazzmynepr.com and www.flyingover50.com and www.themakedamethod.com
• Instagram: @flyingover50 and @themakedamethod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jazzmynepr and https://www.facebook.com/flyingover50
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/jazzmynepr
• Twitter: https://x.com/makedaqueen and https://x.com/flyingover50
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@themakedamethod and https://www.youtube.com/@flyingover50

Image Credits

Dr. Boogie/ https://www.drboogiesecrets.com