We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Wizdom The Healer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Wizdom , 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?
I started writing when I was 7 years old, from there I noticed my personality was very vibrant and animated. At 17, I had my first spoken word performance in Dutchtown Highschool (Hampton, GA). At 18, a Rastafarian named me Wizdom, from there I added “The Healer” at the end of the name. The years of 2012-2015 I was the president of an poetry club at Kingsborough Community College (Brooklyn, NY) college. There I gained experienced with performing in front of crowds 50+. In 2018, my best friend kept telling me that I should start a podcast because of how funny I am and the inspiration I gave to others. I started the podcast call “Wizdom The Healer” in 2018 and is currently available in all platforms. There I interviewed business owners, artists , anybody with a story. I made it into a motivational station. In 2020, I said to myself that I wanted to get monetized for my work without any business knowledge I obtained my LLC calling it Wizdom The Healer, LLC. When I moved to Georgia in 2021, same year is when I launched my business and did my first show at Riverdale, GA at non-profit call Overlooked creations, inc. I noticed I can put people together and give them the resources they need such as vendors, artists, venues, djs, photographers anything an artist or anybody needs to showcase their work. I started organizing events and networking with other creatives in the area. As my business grew, I expanded my services to include event planning, artist management, and promotion. I began helping artists book gigs, curating shows and exhibitions, and connecting them with industry professionals. I also started offering workshops and coaching sessions to help individuals unleash their creative potential and find their unique voice. Through my podcast and events, I continued to inspire and motivate others to pursue their passions and achieve their goals. Along the way, I enrolled to Colorado State University and learned valuable lessons about business management, marketing, and networking. I attended seminars, read books, and sought advice from mentors to continually improve my expertise. Today, Wizdom The Healer, LLC is a thriving creative agency that supports artists and entrepreneurs in their journey to success. I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to make a difference in people’s lives and help them achieve their dreams. It has been a rewarding and fulfilling journey, and I look forward to continuing to empower and uplift others through my work.
Wizdom , 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 decided to get into this business because I notice artists that needed development, they needed development working with their budget. I decided to go back to school to learn business etiquette and gain the necessary skills to help these struggling artists. I realized that by learning business etiquette, I would not only be able to assist them in managing their finances and resources effectively, but also help them navigate the competitive industry with professionalism and grace. Going back to school was a crucial step in my journey, as it provided me with a solid foundation in understanding the principles of business and honing my communication and negotiation skills. By learning about topics such as finance, marketing, and project management, I became equipped with the knowledge to guide artists in making informed decisions and maximizing their resources. Additionally, studying business etiquette allowed me to develop the interpersonal skills necessary to build strong relationships with clients, partners, and industry professionals. Understanding proper etiquettes in networking, communication, and presentation has empowered me to represent my clients effectively and create lasting impressions that open doors of opportunities for them. Investing in my own education has not only helped me better understand the business side of the artistic industry, but it has also positioned me as a trusted advisor for artists seeking development. By providing them with guidance on financial planning, marketing strategies, and career management, I am able to help them make the most out of their limited resources and achieve sustainable growth. Overall, my decision to go back to school to learn business etiquette was driven by the desire to help struggling artists develop their talent and navigate the industry successfully. By combining my passion for art with the knowledge and skills gained through education, I am confident in my ability to make a positive impact in the lives of these artists, enabling them to reach their full potential while working within their budget constraints.
Instagram: @wizdomthehealer
Facebook: Wizdom The Healer
Email: [email protected]
Podcast: Wizdom The Healer
All platforms: iHeart radio, Spotify, Apple podcast, Google podcast etc
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My business started to pivot when I started picking up artist to open mics to build there resume as an artist Ibegan to see the potential in providing a platform for emerging talents. Initially, the open mic events were simply intended to give artists an opportunity to practice and showcase their skills. However, as I started witnessing the significant impact these events had on the artists’ careers, I realized there was a larger opportunity at hand.
I decided to pivot my business by focusing on organizing and promoting these open mic events as a way to build artists’ resumes and help them gain exposure. I recognized that many talented artists struggle to find opportunities to showcase their work, and saw a gap in the market for a platform that specifically catered to their needs.
To support this new direction, I started networking and reaching out to local artists, reaching an agreement to have them perform at the open mic nights. I ensured that the events were well-publicized and gained attention from both the local community and industry professionals.
In addition to providing a space for artists to perform, I also sought partnerships with recording studios, producers, and music industry professionals who could offer guidance and support to the artists. This allowed the artists to not only gain exposure through the events but also access valuable resources to further enhance their careers.
As the open mic events grew in popularity, I expanded my business by offering additional services such as artist management, talent scouting, and event planning. I realized that by focusing on helping artists build their resumes, I could also attract potential clients such as talent agencies, record labels, and music promoters who were interested in discovering new talents.
The pivot proved to be successful, as my business began to thrive in the industry. By providing a platform for artists to showcase their skills and build their resumes, I not only helped them in their careers but also established a reputation as a trusted resource within the industry.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I definitely started as a 1 woman army. Funding my shows I had to sell food at my events and outside my events in order to make the money I needed to book a venue, dj & someone at the front door to collect cover charges. It was tough at first, managing everything myself, from planning and organizing the events to cooking and selling food. But that’s the sacrifice I had to make to pursue my passion for music and entertainment.
As time passed, word of my shows started spreading, and more people began attending. The small amount of profit I made from selling food grew, allowing me to invest in better equipment and hire staff to help me out. I no longer had to handle every aspect of the events on my own.
With the increased revenue, I could book bigger and better venues, attracting renowned DJs and artists to perform at my shows. This, in turn, brought in even larger crowds, resulting in more food sales and ticket revenue.
As my 1 woman army expanded, I focused on building a solid team around me. I hired event managers, marketing experts, and talented individuals to help with the sound and lighting setups. This allowed me to focus more on curating a memorable experience for the attendees.
I realized that my initial struggle as a one-woman army was a crucial part of my journey. It taught me resilience, multitasking, and the value of hard work. It also helped me gain a deep understanding of every aspect of event management, enabling me to make informed decisions and work efficiently with my team.
Though I no longer have to sell food to fund my shows, I’ve never forgotten where I started. It reminds me of the determination I had and motivates me to keep pushing boundaries in the entertainment industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Wizdomthehealer
- Other: https://calendly.com/wizdomthehealer/30-min-free-event-planning-consultation
Image Credits
image credit goes to Studio 3 Instagram: @studio3presents