Women Who Werk: Rakia Reynolds of Skai Blue Media

Meet Rakia Reynolds of Skai Blue Media

Rakia Reynolds is a Public Relations powerhouse, Philly 360 fashion ambassador and mother of three! A multi-talented dynamo Rakia has done everything from consulting for MTV Networks, production for TLC to producing editorials for Lucky magazine. Rakia started Skai Blue Media, her boutique public relations agency that specializes in building big time buzz for her clients, including Carmelita Couture, Uptown Magazine and Temple University.

Featured everywhere from Bust Magazine, Philadelphia Magazine and Fox 29, Rakia is constantly tapped  for her unique approach to PR and her equally unique approach to fashion and personal style.

I recently got to sit down with the personable and uber stylish Rakia to discuss how she built her PR business, her love of local designers and her advice to young female entrepreneurs wanting to have it all.

I’ve always had friends that were artists so I started a creative firm called Balahu to promote their creative endeavors. A restaurant caught wind of what I was doing and they became my first big client. From there the South Street Headhouse District  (over 500 stores) and Temple University tapped me to do PR. It kind of came full circle and started getting really big, so I had to form another company. Skai is my daughter’s name and that gave way to Skai Blue Media.

We’re a full service PR firm. We represent business districts, nonprofits, boutiques, designers, restaurants. We provide a lot of consulting; business development, branding, marketing, message strategy. We secure a lot of opportunities for broadcast, television, print and non traditional media.

A typical day here, is really not typical. I can be at a boutique pulling clothing for a segment on Fox or meeting with a client or looking over ad copy. It really depends on the day but I hit the ground running at 7am and I don’t stop until like 12:30 at night. And then I crash on the weekend!

I feel like I’m trying to work the hardest now so that when I’m 60 I can vacation in Paris! I sleep with the computer next to my bed, a Blackberry and a notebook. I build in time for everything. To pick my kids up from school, do homework and spend time with them.  I even schedule time to talk to my husband!

The fashion ambassador is the champion of rights for fashion in Philadelphia. I’m a cheerleader for the Philadelphia fashion scene and I am in contact with all the boutiques, any up and coming designer or any hot local designer and figuring out ways to get them exposure through Philly 360 or my own personal press coverage. I’m a walking billboard for local fashion.

It’s an eclectic mix. I wear what I want, what I feel. If I see it and I like it I really don’t care what trend it is.  I pay attention to detail and I really like theatrical wear and I get dressed in theme! There’s this outfit I’m thinking about now, with a hat with a big spider web and I’m wondering who I’ll be when I wear that outfit. Or this bird’s nest hat, who’s the woman I’m going to be. Am I going to be Audrey Hepburn or Josephine Baker that day?!

It’s hard; the entire process of finances, organization and management. Being an entrepreneur you really have to be a walking die hard fan of your own brand. You really have to be organized and know the business. My constant struggle is being a business person and a creative person at the same time. Luckily, I have a degree in Business and was trained very well.

I am a BIG believer in having your own business. I would say do a tremendous amount of homework, know what your city has to offer to you, visit your small business organizations, visit your Women’s business development centers and seek out supporters of WBE and MBE. Use your resources!

Isn’t Rakia fabulous?! She’s living proof that with hard work women can run a business, have a family and do it all with style!