Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nikkia McClain. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nikkia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

The most innovative thing I have done in my career is brought my DIY PR platform to the forefront during COVID. I created the DIY PR platform in 2017 but only got the opportunity to position it during the pandemic. The DIY PR platform assists entrepreneurs and small business owners on how to execute their own public relations campaigns and strategies. This platform is not only innovative, but it also adds another streamline of revenue for my company, with the potential to grow to a multimillion-dollar platform. Allowing me to employ more individuals that look like me and the opportunity to be of service to the communities I serve and the things that I am passionate about.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

First, I’m a mother, wife, sister, friend, passionate business owner, and leader. I have been raising the level of conversation and opportunities for my clients for over a decade. I help client enhance their publicity via television, magazine, and radio. My efforts continue to maximize the level of exposure clients receive nationally and internationally.

Since pursuing my dream of building my well-known, recognized brand. My firm has represented a roster of past and current clients, including Fortune 500 and Inc 5000 companies and notable multi-million dollar brands.

I’m most proud of how I have successfully leveraged my expertise and network to produce top-notch campaigns and projects for clients.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Absolutely, most people know this story, but for those who do not, I was a teenage mom to two kids by the time I was leaving high school. Felt like a failure, that my life was not amounting to much. Oh, and it was no easy task of just putting my life back together, it took long nights and years of tears, but once I got myself together, there was no stopping me. It took that same resilience when I started this company at 32. I had no background in public relations or marketing, and guess what? I doubted myself in the beginning, but I knew doubt was not going to get me far. So I remained dedicated, committed, and relentless and kept pushing forward. I eventually returned to school after having the company for a few years to get my Master’s in Strategic Public Relations from George Washington University, and I’m currently on my research work to obtain my Ph.D. in Marketing from Walden University *fingers crossed* 2025. I will tell anyone that will listen, don’t give up on yourself, and don’t give up on your dreams even when you can not see the light of day.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Are we not over the word pivot? I feel like that was the topic of everyone’s conversation on Clubhouse, Zoom, and any virtual meeting I attended or that my firm even produced! LOL But like most companies, I had to pivot during COVID, as we are a service-based business, and most of our clients were lifestyle clients and celebrities, and those in the entertainment industry were significantly affected by the pandemic. So the first thing we did was bring all our client’s live events online. Virtual events were already a thing before COVID, but now virtual events were front in center as we went through this pandemic. Second, I had to pivot my personal brand, which meant putting the things that matter to me first, and being of service to others has always been important to me. So I finally finished my DIY PR platform and released it to the world! I would say it is the public relations school every business owner needs to take once they know they are ready to start their business. Because what they may not realize is that they are already acting as their own publicist, how they speak about their brand, how they communicate their brand to the public, and how their brand shows up in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nikkiamcclain.com / www.tenenicole.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nikkiamcclain
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tene.nicole/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkia-mcclain-2197945a/

Image Credits
Nikkia McClain