Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikiya “NikiMarie” Rodriguez.
Hi Nikiya “NikiMarie”, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Starting a business was the easy part, coming up with the idea was the hard part. I have always found something intriguing about storytelling. Whether the story was fact or fiction there was a lesson in each story; the lessons came from the characters or the person narrating the story. I knew I wanted to be the person narrating the story, I didn’t want someone else telling my story for me. My name is Nikiya, I wanted to take part of my first name and merge it with my middle name so my business brand name is NikiMarie. I am a mental health advocate, radio personality, founder of NikiMarie Productions, LLC, the Assistant Director of Financial Aid, a PTA Board member and a mom to three amazingly talented children. I started NikiMarie Productions because I wanted to create a platform where individuals share motivational stories and add some positive thinking to the people who listen to my podcast. When I first started my radio show, NikiMarie Radio under the business brand, I never thought about success, I just cared about making an impact through storytelling.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest challenge for me was self-doubt and the fear of failure. I had to take a deeper dive and weigh my options of being too afraid to try or too afraid to fail. Going through the rollercoaster of depression and anxiety, this was a challenge to overcome my own negative thoughts about myself. I had to take a chance on myself and know that I was worthy of at least the effort. So I started and continued to bet on myself with each chapter of business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I wear a number of hats when it comes to my professional and personal life. I am a mom first, and then everything else becomes secondary.
I started NikiMarie Radio (podcast) back in 2018 and never thought about branding it until I began interviewing several entrepreneurs and financial advisors. We started getting into conversations about brand development, trademarks and generationally wealth. I knew I wanted to set up an opportunity for my children to own something that has longevity but something that can also leave a lasting mark on this world. I started NikiMarie Productions, LLC in July 2020 which fits into the entertainment/media category. The goal is to create motivating content for all ages, sizes, and color. At this current moment, we are working with a few publicists and entertainment managers to get client content promoted on all major platforms in tv, film, commercial, magazine and radio. As technology thrives so does the entertainment industry. Everyone wants access/information to a variety of content. Our current focus is entertainment, culture, technology and health and wellness. The NikiMarie brand thrives on word of mouth, social media content and networking events. We have obviously had to pivot because of the pandemic, however; virtual events are continuing to happen so we look forward to continued growth, development and networking opportunities.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Being an entrepreneur is no small tasks. You have to believe in yourself. You have to be determined to see your business succeed. And with that same energy being applied to everything you do in life, you will accomplish just that. You have to take risk, you have to adapt, you have to be passionate about your business as well as your personal goals, be persistent and work hard. It takes a vision, courage, sacrifice and confidence.
I have to look deep within and see that I need all of these things and apply it to make my business successful. I also had to come to the realization that we don’t all measure success the same way. Most people feel success is about the dollar sign, however; a great quote, “Success is not measured by what you accomplish but by the opposition you have encountered and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.” For those who have followed my story, they know what I have gone through in life and by overcoming those obstacles, I know that I am successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/nikimarieradio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikimarie_radio
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NikiMarieRadio
Image Credits
NikiMarie Productions
