We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Natasha Nurse a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Natasha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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?
The process of going from idea to execution for developing the podcast WokeNFree.com was a thorough and intricate one that involved a lot of planning, brainstorming, collaboration, and research. The idea for the podcast stemmed from a desire to create a platform for open and honest discussions about topics that are often considered taboo or uncomfortable from the perspective of a millennial black couple.
The first step in the process was to come up with a clear concept for the podcast. This involved brainstorming potential topics, formats, and guests. We wanted to create a podcast that was both informative and entertaining, and that tackled issues that were relevant and thought-provoking.
Once we had a clear concept in mind, we began to research the technical aspects of creating a podcast. This included investing in high-quality equipment, learning how to record and edit audio, and finding a platform to host and distribute our content.
We also spent a lot of time developing our brand identity, including creating a logo and designing a website. We wanted our brand to be modern, bold, and unapologetic, reflecting the bold and unapologetic nature of our content.
Finally, we began to produce episodes, which involved researching and preparing content, recording interviews, and editing the final product. We also spent a lot of time promoting our podcast through social media, email marketing, and other media channels.
Overall, the process of developing WokeNFree.com was challenging but rewarding. It required a lot of hard work and dedication, but we are proud of what we have created and excited to continue producing content that challenges and inspires our listeners.
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?
Once upon a time, there was a young Jamaican American girl from Manhattan who traveled all the way to University Park, Pennsylvania to meet the love of her life (a native Hollis, Queens resident). Where does the story go from here? Currently, the book is still being written. For the 18 plus years shared together they have each accomplished quite a bit for a couple in their thirties.
A licensed attorney by trade, Natasha held various stints in the corporate world prior to making a foray into fashion and writing. Having been a victim of bullying as a child growing up, Natasha learned to seek out fashion as a source of strength early on and actively uses it as a personal means of empowerment; because of her own experiences with bullying and her strong desire to help others within the plus size community, Natasha started Dressing Room 8 to provide a web-based resource where women can gain personal and professional empowerment through her lifestyle focused blog, consultation and coaching services. Dressing Room 8 helps women to think with clarity, dress with confidence, and live with purpose.
Kahlil Nurse is a contract Electrical Engineer and full-time stay-at-home dad to their son KJ, who wears many different hats (just like his wife). He is the Tech Guru for too many people to mention (which his friends and family can totally attest to). As a fan of cars, technology, and finance, he embraces opportunities to learn, grow, and enjoy his hobbies to the fullest.
In September 2017, they decided to share their marriage and thoughts to media with their exciting new podcast WokeNFree where they talk about relationships, education, religion, politics, music, history, fashion, diversity in the media, entertainment, empowerment matters, life hacks, technology, cultural disparities in the world, and everything in between.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
We’re both big fans of reading books that teach us how to grow as people and entrepreneurs. As such here are our top book recommendations, we share with other content creators and entrepreneurs:
• “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne – This book provides insights into the law of attraction and how positive thinking can help individuals achieve their goals and dreams. It explores the power of visualization, gratitude, and positive affirmations as tools for manifesting success and happiness.
• “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey – This classic book provides practical advice for personal and professional growth and is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their management and leadership skills.
• “The 4-Hour Work Week” by Timothy Ferriss – This book challenges the traditional notion of work-life balance and provides strategies for achieving more with less time.
• “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu – This classic book provides insights into strategy and tactics that can be applied to business and management.
• “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho – This book provides insights into the importance of following your dreams and pursuing your passions.
• “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz – This book provides a code of conduct for personal freedom and happiness, and explores the power of self-awareness and positive thinking.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
As podcasters, building a strong reputation is crucial to attract and retain listeners. Here are our 10 top tips that helped us establish ourselves in the world of podcasting: 1. Quality Content: Your podcast episodes should be well-researched, well-produced, and engaging. You want to provide value to your listeners and keep them coming back for more. Consider bringing on guests who can offer expertise or a unique perspective to your topic.
2. Authenticity: Listeners can tell when a podcaster is being genuine or not. Be yourself, share your personal experiences and opinions, and don’t be afraid to show your personality. Authenticity builds trust and helps to create a loyal following.
3. Branding: Develop a strong brand for your podcast with a memorable name, logo, and tagline. This will help to make your podcast more recognizable and appealing to potential listeners.
4. Professionalism: Treat your podcast like a business, even if it’s a passion project. Be organized, communicate clearly, and deliver on your promises. This will help you gain credibility and establish yourself as a professional in the industry.
5. Research: Stay up to date on the latest trends, news, and developments in your niche. Share your insights and opinions on current events related to your podcast topic.
6. Guest management: If you have guests on your podcast, make sure to treat them with respect and professionalism. Be prepared for the interview, make them feel comfortable, and follow up with them after the episode is released.
7. Analytics: Use analytics tools to track your podcast performance and understand your audience’s behavior. This can help you make data-driven decisions to improve your content and marketing strategies.
8. Authentic testimonials: Encourage your listeners to leave authentic reviews and testimonials on platforms such as Apple Podcasts or social media. This can help you build social proof and credibility for your podcast.
9. Collaborations: Collaborate with other podcasters, influencers, or brands in your niche. This can help you tap into their audience and gain exposure for your podcast.
10. Consistent brand messaging: Consistently communicate your brand messaging across all platforms, from your podcast to social media to your website. This will help you establish a consistent and recognizable brand identity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wokenfree.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wokenfree/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wokenfree/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wokenfree/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/WokeNFree
- Youtube: https://bit.ly/2BSLA1H
- Other: Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LV5WYBT Shop: https://www.bonfire.com/store/wokenfree-designs/