Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Holmes.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Crystal. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Media has always been something I’ve wanted to do and be involved with since high school. I was introduced to the “Media World” back then doing various projects from script writing, commercial production, news, music videos and even during my senior year as a class we created a movie. We also had the opportunity for internships, and I was able to intern with Missouri City TV my senior year and that summer before going to college and kept that relationship and was able to continue during my Christmas break my Freshman year in College. All this preparation helped lead me to where I am today. I have to give kudos to my teacher Ted Irving, who really inspired and pushed me during those times and still is a help to this day to myself and other students who went through his class.
I attended Stephen F. Austin State University, and majored in Radio-TV Production and minored in Public Relations & Business Communication. My experience there was helpful in some ways. I learned how to direct and work a media board for production in creating shows, etc., along with doing Campus news stories for SFA TV. My senior year, I interned at the news station, KTRE9 in Lufkin. There, I was able to assist with news reporters in developing stories, producing and creating topicals for the news.
After graduating and experiencing the “news” environment and after numerous applications to news stations anywhere and everywhere looking for a job, I realized news was not what I really wanted to do. I’m more of a creative, and I absolutely love editing and creating stories and bringing visions to life. News is very structured and formatted, which makes sense for what they need to do; just not for me.
In the process of applying for jobs, I was given the vision to start my own talk show, Beautiful Me TV (www.beautifulmetv.com). On this platform, I produce shows highlighting your “Overall Spiritual Wellness”. It started off as a devotional aspect focusing on the “Virtuous Woman” passage, Proverbs 31:10-31. Even when finishing the passage, I went into deeper devotions from other scriptures and passages. My guests are geared towards my focus of inspiration, health, fitness/wellness, and beauty from the inside out. I’ve evolved into 5 seasons of this show and continue to produce this show today.
I then applied for a Production Assistant position with Radio One Houston, 97.9 the Box, Majic 102.1, and Boom 92.1 (Now “Radio Now Houston”). Needless to say, I got the job and loved it. Never did I think Radio, but I was able to use my skills and incorporate my editing into different projects for the stations. Outside of the field, I was able to assist with the digital media team in creating promos for artists, produce interviews and edit, and other visual aspects. It was a very engaging time, where I really could showcase my talent on a higher level being at one of the top Radio stations across this nation. After a couple years there, I really felt like I needed to shift, and that I could do much more just outside of radio.
I always had a passion for editing/media. Most importantly, I said even in high school that I would want my own media production business and do video projects for people on all levels, and backgrounds. From non-profit to small and large businesses in various industries, I felt the time to do that had to happen; and I did. I left the Radio Station to start my business, Crystalline Productions full time and did what I needed to do, and it has been such a blessing. I’m a strong believer and have faith that you can do what you want if you believe, and nobody can stop you from achieving that goal, except for you.
During that time, a colleague/friend of mine, Ja’Leah Davis reached out to me to help her with a local TV station that she was working on. I agreed, and also helped produce, operate and program shows for the station and editing projects. After about a year and a half being there, another shift came.
My colleague, Ja’Leah Davis was presented with the opportunity to start her own television station right here in Houston, TX. The funny story of it is, we both “jokingly” would talk about having our own station and what it would be like and then this happens. With no hesitation, she asked me to be her President, and I, of course, said yes. February 2018, she launched Eyeconic Television and made history by being the youngest African American female to own and operate a digital television station across the nation. Making this jump has opened my faith to a whole other level. I didn’t think this would be something I would ever be doing, but God says otherwise and has his own plans for you.
In conclusion, that is how my journey has carried me to this point in my life. Being an entrepreneur, and a black female at that has its challenges, but it’s well worth working for and knowing that it is yours. Through my businesses, I’ve been able to grow within myself and in the process open other doors for people and share my passion with others. Sharing and giving back to others my passion, and seeing the same joy that I have inspires me daily to continue doing what I do.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road in entrepreneurship is rough and bumpy at times. There are some smooth areas along the way. Example, you get to manage and prioritize your time and schedule. One thing that has been beneficial with this journey is to begin to be able to create my schedule and be there for a family if needed. If you really are pushing for success, it takes a lot of dedication and early mornings/late nights sometimes. I’ve even had to sacrifice social events because I have client projects that need to get done and reach my deadlines that I set. Don’t get me wrong, you will be able to have your moments and include your social life, but know your priorities. Owning my own videography business, along with being President at a TV station, there are always deadlines that need to be met. Even for my industry, production takes time. Whether I’m producing a 30 sec commercial or a 30min show, there is a time that it will take in producing those things.
Advice I would give is to not be discouraged when you start your journey. There will be slow periods, especially when starting off. However, you do and put forth your best. Confidently tell yourself that, and know that you ARE the BEST. Also, don’t be surprised or “expect” your friends to always be there. Some people are not on that journey or understand why you do what you do, and that is okay. Your vision and path is meant for you, so I had to learn early that not everyone you “know” will support you. Surprisingly, it’s others that see and understand at the same level that you are, that will support you the most. That’s not to say to disregard the friends you have, but just don’t allow them to hinder you. Still love and support them in your way. Continue to be yourself and stay true to yourself, and your character as a woman and the Queen that you are.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Crystalline Productions, Eyeconic Television and Beautiful Me TV – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Through my business Crystalline Productions, I offer services with weddings, event coverage recaps, commercials, promos, graphic/logo design, web design, social media assistance and email hasting set up. My objective with every project is to provide “pristine beauty and vision”. So, it is a variety of things that I help people with, but with everything, I enjoy seeing the satisfaction of all my clients.
For Eyeconic Television, I love the production aspect and sitting down with people to help create the show they want. For some people, they have an idea, and for me, as a visual person I can take that idea and break it down clearly. When people are recording their shoot, the nerves may be at the beginning, but after they get started and comfortable it’s a natural smooth process. Then, the fun really begins! Also, traveling to work and going to different cities to cover events is a highlight as well. The network we can grow is amazing, and we’ve been able to grow from just having those connections in other areas.
What sets me apart is a simple fact that I am unique. No one can be me, or you for that matter. We all are gifted with different talents in our own way. How we use those gifts, is on us. My gift is to really help and share my passion with others. This is not just something I do, to do. People see it as a hobby, but this is definitely a job I work at continuously daily. Our internship program is something I take value in nurturing our interns and teaching them production and how to operate in a shoot. When they get it, we all win and they have even more knowledge than they did before to take them wherever they go.
Who have you been inspired by?
Oprah Winfrey and Cathy Hughes. Two media moguls, and trailblazers of the TV and Radio industry. These women, in my opinion, have paved a way for many women, especially minorities to understand that it’s not just the men that can operate in this business. We have made many strides and work 3xs as hard, and both of their stories and backgrounds don’t define them. They didn’t allow it to and despite the “no’s” they received they still said yes, and therefore created their own empire of media networks.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.crystaldavis.org, www.eyeconictelevision.com, www.beautifulmetv.com
- Email: crystallineprod@gmail.com, info@eyeconictelevision.com
- Instagram: @crystaldavistv, @eyeconictelevision, @beautifulmetv
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyeconicTelevision/, https://www.facebook.com/crystallineproductions/, https://www.facebook.com/beautifulmetvhou/
Image Credit:
Crystalline Productions, Eyeconic Television, Rennob ShowTime Production, Anthony LaFlauer
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