We recently connected with Raye Cole and have shared our conversation below.
Raye, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry?
The industry that I am in falls under the category of creative arts, marketing, and music. I believe that corporate America gets some things wrong when it comes to the creative arts. In a lot of ways, corporate America only can see things in “black or white.” Usually, corporate America’s focus is more on the financial and structural side of things. Whereas artists, it is our jobs to add style, creativity, and flavor to whatever projects that we are assigned. As artists and creatives it is our job to bring the imagination of other people to life. Creativity is not something that is just black and white. Some people that only can see in black and white come off as dismissive when dealing with creatives. Sometimes the business mind only wants to see and enjoy the finished product. They typically don’t care about the creative process. They also take credit for creatives creations. This can be done intentionally or unintentionally. The business understands completion. The creative mind understands development. Creatives need the space- physically and mentally to create and bring an idea to life.
Raye, 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?
My name is Rachell but I go by Raye Cole Music. I am a singer-songwriter, voice instructor, creative and digital marketer. I’ve sang every since I can remember. I started performing as a teen. In my early twenties I started recording music. I used the photography, videos, and news articles that I was featured in to launch my first freelance business as a session singer in 2016. As a session singer, I have been able to work with people nationally and internationally. I’ve received a lot of opportunities from this and was granted the opportunity to work with industry professionals. I have had music to chart on the UK Soul charts as well as Traxsource. I’ve won contests and opportunities. I’m thankful for all of my clients that believed in me and that have supported me. There were times I had to stop and I’m just happy that I could pick back up where I left off. I can sing and write for multiple genres and I enjoy helping others bring their works to life. I’d like to one day create a classic album or body of work-something along the lines of “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” I am currently taking new clients that are in need of a singer-songwriter. There will be a link on my linktree page that is attached to this article. Or you can call and set up a session 314-649-3372.
In 2016, I started college. I took night classes at Lindenwood University and this is where I developed an interest in integrated marketing and communications. Integrated marketing and communications includes public relations, marketing, advertising, creativity, and technology. I realized that a lot of the skills that were being taught were things that I had unknowingly been doing for my musical endeavors. I received my undergraduate degree in December 2019 and we all know what happened a few months later. During the pandemic, I started working on my master’s degree in marketing and communications. If you’d like to hear about that experience you can follow my instagram page @rayecolemusic . I am currently using my IG as a digital portfolio to show examples of my online work and creations as an aspiring creative director, a musician, and digital marketer. Eventually, I will be sharing my completed thesis in the form of a podcast- a link will be available on my IG.
I realized during my undergraduate studies, that even if I worked for a company, I wanted to have my own side business. One of my instructors informed me that a lot of people that go into marketing also have their own businesses. I wanted my own personal company for a few reasons. I’d got a taste of the corporate work world and overall it was a good experience but there were things that I noticed. As a black woman and creative, I’d find myself seemingly “fighting to be seen or heard.” For example, you present an idea and some people would act as if they didn’t get the memo. Then someone else would say exactly what you said and people would consider the idea genius. There were times I’d have someone else deliver the idea just so that it would happen. After realizing what was going on- I knew I’d be owning my own company. And to be fair, it’s not always about race because I’ve seen and witnessed other black people do the same action. So many people want to be seen as great that they will overlook integrity. I have launched my own freelance digital marketing services. Right now I am promoting it through my Instagram. Currently, I am asking that anyone that is looking for creative direction, creative ideas for their projects, a digital or traditional marketing plan, fashion ideas, or strategies that will help you “cut through the noise of the internet”- to call and set up a marketing consultation. There will be an online link attached to my linktree where you can sign up there as well.
Lastly, I have taught voice lessons since 2016. I started teaching voice lessons for the School of Rock in Kirkwood, Mo. I now teach at a different place and I offer digital services through Zoom. I enjoy teaching voice lessons. The most rewarding part is when the student can hear and feel the change in their singing voice.
For anyone interested in my services, please give me a call at 314-649-3372 and follow the prompts. There will be an online site available in my linktree to book lessons.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
The majority of musical experience – I’ve had to be resilient. When I decided to pursue music I had a lot on my plate. After my mother passed, I became the legal guardian for my sibling and disabled aunt. I was 22/23. I knew I’d be limited on the things that I could do because they needed me. My sibling at the time was eleven and my aunt could no longer walk . My aunt was starting to develop dementia. Around this time, people started doing music collaborations through the internet. I was lucky to be able to be apart of that. I was able to perform but it was only on certain days and I had to be gone by a certain time. So essentially, during the time that I should have been able to move freely- I was limited. Just to be clear, I’m not complaining and I wouldn’t change helping my family. But I am aware that this was an obstacle that not too many 22/ 23 year olds have to face. However, this was one of the most fulfilling times of my life. I was able to help my family and still establish myself as an artist and to launch a successful freelance business. My sibling went on to graduate college with a degree in biology/ chemistry, and a minor in forensics. My aunt unfortunately passed away in 2019. I was just happy that through it all I was able to keep my family safe, healthy, and happy. Also, shout out to my husband because he definitely stood by my side during that time. I am currently still showing resilience because recently, there were people that tried to steal my music and style. When I spoke out against it, I was attacked and defamed. Because these people have more power and pull then me, I believe it was their intention to try and blackball me. But what God has for me. no man or woman can take away. It seems like the tables are turning and that the truth is coming to the light. This was a really dark period for me. As a creative you need your mind to be clear and peaceful. There were people doing things to disturb my peace. I missed out on opportunities because I felt I had to defend my name and my music. People that I confided in or thought would help me turned out to be the opposite. Luckily, I was raised to be a leader and not a follower and I do not fear standing alone. When you believe in something whole-heartedly you stand- even if you are standing alone. I created a petition to hopefully implement change in the music industry and how indie artists, songwriters and creatives are treated. There is a link to that petition on my linktree that is attached to this article.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I have had to unlearn a few things. Life is about learning and evolving. In business, I have had to unlearn trying to do everything myself and trying to take on too much. When you take on too much- you are sure to burnout at some point. Recovering from burnout can be a struggle. I’ve learned that it is better to take on what you can, take your time and be successful. I’ve had to unlearn focusing on tomorrow and to start focusing on the present day. Tomorrow is important but it’s not guaranteed. I realized that I was missing out by pushing things off until the next day. I’ve had to unlearn self pity and being thankful. I had to develop the mindset of no matter what comes my way- it will be alright. I’ve had to unlearn wanting things when I wanted them and realizing that everything that is supposed to happen- happens in God’s time. And when things happen in God’s time – it flows more peacefully and everything lines up. I am currently learning how to ask for and receive help. I had a bad experience asking for help, so now I’m a little guarded.
Image Credits
Raye Cole Music