Recognizing the Phenomenal Women Who Support Me
This International Woman’s Month, I want to acknowledge the phenomenal team at FKB Media - three intelligent, young Black women: Denée Rudder, Natalie White and Adanna Taylor. When I launched my business, I was a solo-preneur. I did not think about hiring help or being a boss. However, as my business grew quickly, it soon became apparent to me that I needed support. This was difficult for me at first - it’s hard to relinquish control and as most entrepreneurs feel, you think only you can do things and have a hard time trusting others to do as good a job as you. I went through a number of interns and employees until I assembled this amazing team. Each one brings something special to FKB Media.
Adanna was the first out of the three to become one of my assistants. She has a background in communications, fashion and is a self-proclaimed YouTube junkie. She is also one of the most creative people I know, which is reflected in her personal style. Adanna has represented FKB Media on site at events, assisted clients with administrative tasks and created professional content for them. Everytime she is at an event, she gives 110% and always with her beautiful smile. Although a client or two have threatened to steal her from me, I’m happy to say she is still very much a part of the team!
Denée was the next to join, and don’t let her quietness and size fool you - she is a force to be reckoned with and reminds me of myself at her age. She is a hustler. Besides working with me - spearheading my social media - she has her own social media company - Rudder Creative Management, her own natural care products company - My Centrepeace AND she is working on her Masters in Professional Communication. I see big things for her in the future and I’m so proud of all the great things she is doing!
When I interviewed Natalie, I wasn’t actually looking to hire anyone. She came on board as an intern at first and so impressed me that I decided to make her a permanent part of the company. She too wears many hats, with her own podcast, Unapologetically Her, and is the social media coordinator for the Reel World Film Festival. Most recently, she was the talent handler for Chanté Moore when she was in Toronto for the Black Diamond Ball. No coincidence, Natalie manages Chanté’s Instagram fanpage. There have been threats too from my clients to steal Natalie away as they were impressed with her professionalism, attendtion to detail and communications knowledge on-site at events.
To say I am proud of my team is an understatement. I love that they all have their own thangs going on outside of FKB Media and that they bring those skills, connections and enthusiasm to everything we do as a team. I salute and support these young women and thank them for helping build my business into the reputable communications company that it has become. Happy International Women’s Month!!
Left to Right: Natalie White, Adanna Taylor, Denée Rudder