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

Hi Michelle, thanks for joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

I believe its hard work, determination, self-assured, being organized, having and maintaining motivation to pursue what you love and want to do, and staying focused on your goals.
I’ve always maintained these goals throughout my life from everything i did in school and in my professional career choices.
When i was growing up, i had my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, church family, coworkers and friends supporting & encouraging these attributes and giving me those pushes that i needed to strive forward in life today.
I was brought up to never give up on myself and to know that i can achieve whatever i put my mind too.
With these teachings, I’ve been able to accomplish being the youngest manager in the company, the only female manager, or the only African American manager in the jobs that I’ve held throughout my career.
These accomplishments have always been a big deal to me because they spoke volumes on my hard work and dedication and reflected back in my work ethics on my work.
By having a foundation (family structure), a clear plan (knowing what you are wanting to do), a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn and adapt to changes, a person will always go far and accomplish whatever dream they seek.

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?

My name is Michelle Young, I go by Ladyred, and I am the C.EO of Ladyred Entertainment/Empire Distribution.
I’m the head A&R Manager and i handle the Hip Hop Division for Artisan Global Records/Empire Distribution under the direction of the C.E.O Mr. William “Billy” Stokes, in partnership with Empire Records Distribution which is ran by C.E.O Ghazi Shami.
I oversee the contracts that come in for current managers, sublabels, DJs, artists and etc. wanting to be apart of the label and under the distribution to get their music out all over the world. I travel, recruit and scout new talent in search of the next star, I host concerts and events, I’m a brand ambassador for different clothing companies.
I’m the Assistant & Model to Y-HER Brand owner Sikeithia Morris aka KeKe located in Atlanta, GA,.
I’m also an aspiring actress and have been in the following movies and tv shows – “Straw” coming to Netflix starring Taraji P. Henson, Teyana Taylor, Sherri Shepherd, Glynn Turman, Rockmond Dunbar, Mike Merrill, Sinbad & Tyler Perry /”Price 2 Pay” movie /”Zatima” S3 & S4 tv show on BET network

My musical journey began when i was a kid growing up in NC in church.
My mom, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents all were in the church singing or playing instruments.
My grandmother was in a gospel group and i got to meet a lot of singers from Canton Spirituals, Dottie Peoples, and more greats in the industry, so i was definitely interested in the famous aspect of the music. I started singing in the choir and even played piano and the violin as a kid, but i always wanted to do more than just sing. The women in my family growing up were all business owners, college graduates, family oriented, and loved music. Now my dad and my uncles in the family were military men and cops, and they were business owners too. So i was always around someone who owned their owned business, maintained family structure, singing, and was just well rounded. So, I always knew i wanted to have all of those things, but just needed to know what was my true passion.
Throughout my school years, my passion leaned towards law, and that’s what i was studying. By my high school years, i was working for a promotional company and was on location with some artists in the industry today and i got to see all the behind the scenes work on the videos, how the contracts were put in placed, the tours, negotiations for album deals, studio sessions, and more. This made me want to get into the music scene, but i didn’t want to be a singer. One day, a fellow artist/friend had me to look over his contract with his current label and i explained the procedure and he suggested that i get into managing artists. Fast forward to 2015, and I’m working for a law firm and managing music artists on the side getting them exposure, gigs, tours, and more. This leads to me being scouted by labels to work along with them to build up their clientele, but i eventually decide to work for myself and build my name up strong to what it has become today.

I provide a range of things for my clients depending on their needs from me.
I offer managerial for clients that need a manager to oversee their career to help them get on the right path dealing with contracts, negotiations, paying gigs, bookings, tours and etc. I offer marketing and promotional distribution with Empire that will allow their music to be played all over the world. That’s major in its self to have a recognized label like Empire to distribute your music and videos out all over the world so everyone can see it. I offer one on one teachings on the industry where you can learn everything you need about your career in this industry and how to get paid from it the right way. I help my clients understand how being registered with your music is very important, about copyright infringement, what their rights mean, how to get royalties for their kids, and so much more.

I’m proud of all the hard work and determination that i put in and where it has me at today.
I’ve been nominated and won numerus awards, been in magazines, on podcasts, different interviews, got to meet some of the most famous people in the industry today from authors, actors, artists, to politicians and its all been so great. I’ve been really blessed that my parents and loved ones were all able to see my accomplishments throughout my career, because it wasn’t easy to get here, but it was worth it and I’m truly grateful.

If your looking for a more determined and hardworking manager to help you elevate your career with you, not for you, because we are going to work together on this, then you need to contact me ASAP. I want my clients to understand, that they will have to want the success more than me if they are trying to get ahead. I cant want the dream more than the both of us. Your ideas and visions matter and i will challenge you to open your mind up, and understand everything you want out of life can and will be achieved if you believe in God and have a helping hand.

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

I had to learn that in business you have to be mindful that everyone is not your friend and will not see the same vision as you. In the music industry, there has been a lot of issues going on with loyalty and friendship. You have folks hating on each other just because they are getting recognition for all the hard work they put into their crafts. I’ve had to learn the old saying that “people come into your life like either roots in the tree or the leaves on that branch.” They’re either going to be there for the long haul or blow away in due time. The main thing is to not let that discourage you and to stay focus on your goals. I’ve had to personally let go of folks that were in my life as friends, associates and artists that were not of any good, and move on to better things. Yes, it was hard to part ways because you build up a relationship with them, but you have to realize that your journey sometimes have to be walked alone to reach your highest platform and what God has stored for you in this world.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think my reputation was built on my networking skills and motivation right off the bat.
I know how to work a room and i will talk and speak to everyone in that room. You have to represent “YOUR BRAND” at all times, and “I AM MY BRAND.” I’ve always been a people person and i love learning things from others.
Another aspect i think helped me build up my reputation is that i speak up for what’s right. If i see something going wrong, i will address it properly and get understanding on it for myself and others involved. I’m always looking out for those i care about and work with in this industry.
Another great aspect of mine is my friendliness approach with people. I like to have fun, laugh, get to know everyone I’m around, and can just talk to you about what’s going on in day to day as well as business and a lot of folks love that about me. I’m very professional with all my clients and i keep things confidential when asked of me. I’ve worked with celebrity clients as well and they love how i handle myself as a business woman at all times and not as a fan.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elitepromotions2019
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.young.564
• Linkedin: linktr.ee/LadyredEmpire
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ladyredemtempire
• Other: Tik tok – www.tiktok.com/michelleyoung59Model Platform/Cocoburry Apparel – https://m.cocoburry.co/ladyredModel Platform/Y-HER – www.instagram.com/yherplussizeclothing

Image Credits

Swimsuit photographer – photographybydon on Instagram
Fashion Illustrated Magazine Editor – Eric Nikkon
Swimsuit – Fashion Nova Curve
Model Company – YHer

Formal dress photographer – flashinthepanphotography on Instagram
Fashion Illustrated magazine Editor – Eric Nikkon
Dress – Belk
Model Company – YHer

Stick Up Magazine Editor = Messiah Asuru El
Photos Taken By – Ladyred (myself)