Features

Perspective: Yasmin Shiraz

Yasmin Shiraz
Author
"EXCLUSIVE"
Chantilly VA


Job history
At 13, I worked as a summer intern for the Hockessin Community Center. I prepared food boxes for the citizens of that community.
At 14, I worked for McDonalds. I enjoyed working the drive-thru unless it was cold.
At 16, I worked for Bradlees in the toy department but then I wanted to make more money so I became a credit application data entry clerk for The Bank of New York.
From 17 to 20, I held various positions at the US Postal Service working as a casual, working for the Postmaster General, and even working for the Office of the Chief Postal Inspector.
Then I worked for ITT as a customer service rep and I was a sociology researcher during my graduate studies at Morehead State University.
Then, I worked for Bernhard Harris Publishing company.
At 24, I became an entrepreneur and opened up "Mad Rhythms" magazine. I truly enjoyed chronicling hip hop culture and helping college students. Two years later, I opened up College Entertainment Communications, a marketing company.
6 years later, I closed "Mad Rhythms" and College Entertainment and opened The Signals Agency a brand development, marketing and management firm.
Presently, I’m the president of The Signals Agency where I consult corporate clients as well as entertainers and authors. My company presents tours, develops brands, and creates marketing strategies. It’s a lot of fun.
I’m the author of three books: "The Blueprint for My Girls," "EXCLUSIVE" and "The Blueprint for My Girls in Love."
As a speaker/lecturer I conduct approximately 40 workshops or lectures per year. My topics vary from entrepreneurship, to the entertainment business to women’s issues.

What are you currently working on?

I’m promoting my new novel, "EXCLUSIVE," inspired by my life as a hip hop magazine publisher.

Your day-to-day responsibilities?

Making sure that people know about "EXCLUSIVE" via booksignings, bookclub talks and entertainment seminars. I call bookstores, distribution companies, and the like.

What inspires/motivates you?

I’m inspired by creating new things and by helping people in that process.

What are your biggest challenges or the downsides of what you do?

There is no formula or script for what I do. So, if I encounter a problem I don’t have a manual to look in or even a person who can really tell me what I should do next. My job is what I make it.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?

I balance by exercising, praying and keeping a good group of people close by.

What career achievement are you most proud of?

Writing and sharing my personal experiences via my book, "The Blueprint for My Girls."

What was your biggest personal/career mistake and what did you learn from the experience?

Being afraid to embrace who I am totally was a big mistake. Some days I’ve been insecure about being a creative person, some days I’ve been insecure about being so business minded. But now, I’ve decided to enjoy all aspects of who I am. My insecurities prevented me from being able to see opportunities that were right in front of me. I remind myself constantly to go for it, whatever it is and to not be afraid.

Was there ever a time when you questioned if this was the right thing to do with your life? Or that you might not succeed in what you're doing? Please explain.

The first couple of years after I became an entrepreneur, I questioned if I would be successful. Then I realized that I was basing my success by comparing it to the success of others? Do I have to be Oprah Winfrey to be successful or Bill Gates or Robert Johnson. Success is something that each person must define for themselves. I started defining success for myself and was no longer haunted by the thought of being successful. Today, I consider myself successful because I make a good living doing the things that I love to do without the majority of the stress.

Guiding principles?

Be passionate about everything that you do in life.
Don’t be afraid to be the odd colored crayon in the box. In other words, be yourself.
Allow your gifts to be a blessing to others.

Birthday? Where you grew up? Where you went to school?

October 23. I grew up in Newark, Delaware. I have bachelor and master degrees in Sociology from Hampton University and Morehead State University.

For more information, visit www.yasminshiraz.net

Message Yasmin Shiraz and tell her what you think

Ray Tamarra

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