We recently connected with Sammi St.John-Martinez and have shared our conversation below.

Sammi , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s talk about innovation. What’s the most innovative thing you’ve done in your career?

The most innovative thing I have done in my career is FishBowl Radio Network. This new broadcasting model that I created in 2009 was the first of its kind in the world! Since then many around the world have tried to duplicate the model and that is flattering. Even though there was internet streaming and the beginning rumbling of podcasting, no one had put it together in the way FishBowl Radio Network did. What I mean by that is with an infrastructure and studios that would allow anyone to come in and host their shows and grow and audience and monetize all at the same time.

Sammi , 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 started in broadcasting at the age of 17. I am 58. Long time. lol. I graduated with a degree in Liberal Arts with a focus on Broadcast Journalism, from the University of Texas at El Paso. I was working in the industry while going to college. I started at the bottom with an overnight radio shift. Within 6 months the competition in the market offered my a day time slot. Two years after that, I go my break in a major market for radio, Dallas, Texas. The 4th largest radio market in the United States. I learned and worked with some of the most talented radio broadcasters, program directors and station managers at top stations for over 30 years. When I turned 45, I got a download as I like to call it, from God. He told me to open the first Internet/Podcasting Radio Network and gave me the specific model. With no business plan other than what HE told me, I stepped out in ambience and opened FishBowl Studios in 2009. We offer individuals the opportunity to host their own live Internet Shows, Podcast Shows and Video Shows at an affordable price. What makes us different than anyone else in this realm, is that 1, we were the creators of this model, two we are the largest in terms of the audience we have amassed around the world. Thirdly, we offer an educational/training component to ensure our hosts get the training they need to have a successful show. We also offer a 24 week voice-over course for those that want to jump into that profession. What we solve for our clients is that they don’t have to be out there alone trying to do this. We provide state of the art beautiful studios, producers, training, platform and all they have to do is come in and be themselves and provide the content they are passionate about. The thing I am most proud of is that I took a leap of faith, worked and still work hard and have been able to help others reach their dreams. What I want people to know about the FishBowl brand is that we are #fishbowlfamily! A network of people that love to provide great content from everyday people to everyday people. We strive to offer the best experience to our clients and to provide it at the best cost possible so that they can maintain a show long enough to see results. In addition to being an entrepreneur, I am first and foremost a wife, mother and grandmother.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I am very fiscally conservative. Meaning that the funding to start my business came from my savings account. I did not take out a load. I invested a small amount in terms of what most companies start with and I built from there, one client at a time. I paid back my loan to myself, interest free within 6 months. And, for the last 12 1/2 years we have been a week to week cash flow business that has never missed a payment to our vendors or our staff. Any profit made either goes back into the business to improve it or into the staff for more man power or raises. And, the most important thing. The first bill I pay each week goes into a savings account where 10% of the weeks earning are kept. Without that account we may have not survived Covid-19.

How did you build your audience on social media?

My business has been build with two things: referrals and social media. For those just starting to build social media, 3 things are a must. 1. Be consistent. I am talking no less than two to three relevant posts a day for your audience. Morning, Noon, Evening. 2. Do short lives on Facebook. People want to see who they are going to potentially do business with. 3. Ask questions and do polls, this allows you to engage with your followers. Remember you are building a relationship so spend the time to do that, it will pay off.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fbrn.us
• Instagram: Fishbowl Radio Network
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FishbowlCommunications