Today we’d like to introduce you to Kandie Martin.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kandie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Everything started with me being a poet. I actually got published initially in 2001 or 2002… my company was actually started as a gift basket company, I used my gift by creating poems based on what the client wanted to say to the receiver. It was a fun way to create a poem and it was a way to connect with my children. They would actually help me with shrink wrapping the baskets. At that time, the business was called Poems by Kandie, and every part of the gift was personal. As I started telling people about what I was doing, they would ask could I do this or that and me being who I am… I started helping people with all kinds of things like creating business cards and programs, it was like things just kept expanding. The business then turned into a personal assistant service for small business owners. In addition to making their business cards and brochures, I would perform duties like finding them someone that could create them a website or find a venue for their party. I had a client that actually said: “I am a mortician that is what I do… all of that other stuff I leave it to Kandie as that is what she does”. I changed the business name to Leave It To Kandie. As things kept changing, LITK became a Talent Management Service and Kandie Promotions was created for events and promotions of businesses. We do everything from creating comedy shows, social media management, and media exposure.
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. I struggle with my personal attitude of always wanting to help someone. As I do a lot of things that I should be paid to do for free. I also struggle with people taking my kindness for weakness as I sympathize with their obstacles and struggles and try to find a way to help them. A lot of times, I really should just say there is nothing I can do and move on, but with me being who I am… it is really hard to not help. I also have some of the basic business owners struggles like getting invoices paid on time, enforcing that this is a business for me, not a hobby and understanding that my time is valuable. Helping others is what I do but I do have to make sure that I am not sacrificing my sanity or undervaluing my business in the process.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a Talent Manager. I help my clients with getting their affairs in order and help them to run their businesses. I negotiate contracts, keep up schedules, run their social media accounts as well as create events to promote them and their brands. What sets me apart from others is my clients are not a paycheck they are my family. I care about their overall well being not just putting them on a stage. If your client is depressed, you need to be aware of it and get them the help that they need, because a healthy and sane client is going to work more effectively. I also help to get my clients exposure, this could be anything from getting them interviewed to actually creating them a show to show off their talents. My all male model show the Eye Kandie Review is what I am most proud of as it was something that I really wanted to do and was able to pull it off. I am actually doing the second one in September and it will be called the Eye Kandie Explosion.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
It’s already happening… with streaming services becoming more popular, I see the entertainment industry moving into more subscription-based services. This will make it easier for entertainers to push their own movies, radio or tv shows as they will not have to wait for a major company to pick up their projects they will be able to do it themselves, and it will make it easier for people to see their shows as they will be able to just to pick up their phones or tablets and watch on the go.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kandiepromotions.com
- Phone: 678-374-9848
- Email: kandie@kandiepromotions.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kandiepromotions
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kandiepromotions
- Other: www.leaveittokandie.com
Image Credit:
Photo credits; Mel B. Photography. 64TigerLily, Michael Shelton, RedDragonPhotography
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