Meet Vanessa James | Founder, Multimedia Creative & Culture Contributor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vanessa James and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanessa, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Resilience. At the heart of my brand, Vanessa James Media, LLC is a steady grace knowing that during the darkest moments or the heaviest days, light is always around the corner because of the passion behind my purpose. Success for me has transcended throughout my career in media and what started as a yearning for more professional growth, upward corporate momentum and money, has transformed into a more purposefully driven life as an entrepreneur. After a fifteen year tenure in radio, launching my own media and voiceover company in 2010 was a pivotal turning point in my career. Success now comes in the form of service, where I proudly lend my voice to radio stations and brands around the country while creating impact with my own brand VJMedia- that champions and celebrates fellow creators and entrepreneurs through local initiatives.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Vanessa James Media, LLC was born out of necessity, grit and gumption.. After a great run in radio that ended in 2010, I was given an opportunity to move cross country but decided instead to stay in South Florida where I had planted roots and fostered relationships. After reassessing, I dug in, focusing on the radio stations that I had lended my voice to in markets like New York and San Francisco and grew my voiceover business from there. Starting with four stations, I grew my roster to forty stations and five brands and now proudly serve as the voice of stations like Miami’s Hits 97.3 and brands like Palace Resorts. Consistency, follow-through and kindness has always set me apart at is at the heart of my business acumen. Now as a multimedia entrepreneur extending my reach beyond VO, one of the biggest compliments that I continue to receive from clients is my malleability and giving spirit. I won’t paint a false picture of a smooth road as there were many bumps along the road. As VJMedia marks its 10th year as a small business, what I would like to share candidly to fellow founders and creators is simple; love what you do and make sure customers, clients, followers and fans feel better about your brand after their encounter with you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well that truly depends on the friend. Miami and South Florida in general is such a vibrant melting pot of culture and with my crew, the vibes start from the moment they land. I’d definitely start with bites at my go-to spot Sugarcane in Midtown then a little salsa dancing and cocktails at La Placita on Biscayne. We’d pop over to Wynwood for a little art tour at Wynwood Walls. The next day I’d kick things off at The Loews Miami Beach for an overindulged sun and spa day and close things out by brunching it up at Chica Miami. And we can’t forget a quick hop up to Broward for a little Roti and Curry Chicken at Joy’s Roti Shop then a local Soca fete; after all I am Trinidadian at heart!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been incredibly blessed over the years to have worked alongside an array of talented people in media and entrepreneurship. From TV-air personality Neki Mohan to voiceover artist Doug Turkel, both whom I consider mentors, I’ve learned how to polish my craft and connect authentically with my audience. As an entrepreneur, I’d love to pay it forward to fellow creators like Janie Flores of Buena Vida Media and Carla Hill, who continue to inspire with their outreach and platforms that highlight Miami’s vibrant culture.

Website: www.vanessajamesmedia.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessajamesmedia/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-james-media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/msvanessajames
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VanessaJamesMedia/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VanessaJamesMedia