Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michele Lee Evans. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michele Lee, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
I’ve always had the dream of starting my own radio station. I started my first show, Mileeva Speaks, a mix of Talk and Club music, on another radio station in 2018 to get more knowledge of the business and to “get my feet wet.”
I moved my show to yet another radio station is 2021, as well as started two new shows; Planet Rock, Classic Hard Rock and Metal from the 70s-00s, and Smoothed Out Sundays, Jazz and Neo Soul.
I was also Director of Marketing and Promotions at that station, helping to increase its brand and reach. The situation at that station however began to deteriorate, and it was at that moment that I knew, it was time to bring my dream into reality.
Without hesitation, I did research, placing my shows on hiatus as I learned what I needed to start a new radio station of my own.
I already have an MBA, web design experience and a healthy knowledge of programming.
It took me two weeks of sleepless nights to go from idea, to a fully functioning radio station that boasts of being the most diverse internet radio station on the planet.
Since April 28, 2022, KERB has culminated over 17 different genres of music music segments; everything from current Hip Hop to classic Hip Hop, Hard Rock and Metal, Country, Pop, House, Zydeco, Latin, and more.
We also have Comedy, Talk Radio and 16 live broadcasts between 8 broadcasters here in Houston, and across the country.
KERB and three of its shows, including Mileeva Speaks, have been nominated as Best Local Business, and Best Local Radio Shows by SLM (Support Local Music), an organization committed to honoring the best businesses, shows and artists in the Greater Houston area.
After only seven months in existence, this is a major accomplishment. We are still growing this platform, having a healthy global audience, in part to our diverse World Music segment that features music from all over the globe.
We have new broadcasters and DJs wanting to join this movement and currently, trying to make space for them all.
Through determination, perseverance, and putting in the knowledge of running my other businesses, Mileeva Designs and MLE Enterprises, I have created a radio station that truly has something for everyone, and I look forward to more growth in sponsors and advertisers in the near future.
Michele Lee, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I got into the Broadcast industry because I am very into current topics and how to solve issues. My first show, Mileeva Speaks, started when I was approached by another broadcaster who had been in the business for 13 years after seeing me on Facebook Lives.
I was told, “You have a voice that should be heard by the masses.” That is how my broadcast career began.
KERB was started after the station i was Broadcasting on, began to become stagnant, not realizing the potential and growth of its talent.
After only two weeks of research, I started Kutting Edge Radio Broadcasting, launching on April 28th, 2022 with six broadcasters opting to follow me from the previous station, to KERB.
Mileeva Speaks was a Talk Show that focused on issues that matter, networking with other business owners, and trying to solve issues in community and business.
While there isn’t necessarily problems that we solve for out listeners, we do ensure that we focus on giving them a totally different listening experience, all on one platform.
Our station also has small soundbites throughout the day that gives our audience sound advice to issues from bullying, to finances, to Healthcare.
Our Talk Shows seek to acknowledge social issues, while providing possible solutions.
What sets us apart from other internet radio stations is that we offer a vast array of music, spanning over 17 genres, comedy, talk, and 16 live broadcasts a week.
Our diverse segment lineups include:
*Gospel, Christian, Christian House, Trap and Gospel Gogo.
*Classical and Opera
*70s Soul Disco
*Nightly Slow Jams (The Quiet Fire)
*80s Hits of all genre
*90s Hip Hop
*Reggae and Afrobeats
*Latin music across genres
*Indie Music across genres
*New Hard Rock and Heavy Metal
*Nerdcore
*Comedy Hour
*New Pop
*House, Electro, Techno
*World Music
*Country
*Zydeco
*Gogo
This is what I am proud of; the diversity. As a CEO and Broadcaster, I am also extremely proud of the team I have working with me to make this station a success.
What I desire for anyone who visits kerbonline.live is to see and hear the dedication that has been put into this station. I want fans to know that we have strived to give them the music and talk that they want to hear, as well as expand their minds to genres of music they may have never heard before finding KERB.
I thank each and every fan and listener, and I hope to see you all on the KERB chat so we can hear from you!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
The one story I will share about resilience is once I had made the decision to start KERB due to feeling as if my talents and contributions were not valued, I heard the rumors that confirmed the former:
“She has good shows and business knowledge, but not enough to start and manage a radio station on her own. She will fail.”
One thing I like, is being counted out. Seven months later, KERB and three of its shows are nominated for Best Local Business and Best Local Radio Show.
The phrase, “I can show you better than I can tell you”, definitely applies here.
I will extend this advice to anyone wanting to start a business, grow a business or even in regards to personal goals: Never let anyone sew seeds of doubt in your mind about what you are capable of.
Use that negative energy and build something beautiful and positive. You will thrive! Even with complications and your own self-doubt, keep pushing and moving forward. That is resilience.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
While many lessons are learned when starting any business, particularly, a radio station, I had to unlearn one very important lesson:
That would be that while some will praise your talents and skills, they are secretly trying to hold you down because they RECOGNIZE you as a threat.
When I was a broadcaster and Director of Marketing at the former station, I gave 150% to my shows, and branding the station.
I was always told that I was the gem of the station, yet assignments that should have been designated to me, were constantly given to others less qualified. Not only did that behavior stifle my growth, but the growth of the station overall.
Jealousy will always take root when others realize that you actually know what you’re doing. Others may be frightened of the growth, so they will put you in a place of stagnation.
I had to learn how to not allow others to put limits on my creativity, as well as my personal and collective growth of the situation I am a part of. Unlearning the idea of “staying in your place and keeping your head to the curb.”
Contact Info:
- Website: kerbonline.live
- Instagram: @micheleleeevans @kerb.live
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/MileevaSpeaks/
- Linkedin: @micheleleeevans @KERBONLINE
- Twitter: @micheleleevans @KERBONLINE
- Other: Tiktok: @micheleleeevans @kerbonline
Image Credits
All images captured or taken by Michele Lee Evans.