Today we’d like to introduce you to Rae Goins. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Raven “Raeluminati” Goins-Parnell is a Therapist, Project Manager, and Creative Director from Columbia, South Carolina. A College Graduate who began in the music industry at the age of 15. Her many talents include Writing, Fashion Design/Styling, Photography, Videography, and graphic design. Graduating from HGTC in 2013, she received her Associate’s degree in Education. Rae majored in Recreation/Sports management and minored in Mass Communications at Coastal Carolina University and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and in 2022, received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Winthrop University.
Rae is currently a Therapist full time while doing what she loves by being an all-around creative director for brands and various artists.
A certified photographer and graphic designer, she likes to create Merch, graphics, music, and art. Rae manages several businesses such as a media and cultural platform, online boutique, clothing line, creative design agency, and a wardrobe styling agency.
Rae also is the CEO of the HLM agency, which focuses on health and wellness, Counseling and Educational and Professional Development Services. Rae is currently The owner of Raeluminati Brands Creative Agency; a remote brand design agency and marketing consultancy for millennials and Gen-Z.
Rae continues to build brands, marketing and creative content for the culture and works heavily in the world of fashion, music, art and design.
Raeluminati Brands Creative Agency is an umbrella term for all in-house brands created by Raeluminati, it is an audacious creative multimedia studio specializing in brand development, creative direction, marketing and website design for beauty, lifestyle, and fashion brands.
Rae continues to make an impact on various industries and is a multidisciplinary and multifaceted designer, brand strategist, and creative director.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely Not! I have worked in various industries for myself and other large companies. It’s important to always have balance! Many don’t know, but I started Under grad at CCU in 2011 and finished with my master’s degree at Winthrop University in 2021! So this entire time, I’ve always have multiple projects going on at once, so I’ve always had to balance myself and stay organized to accomplish my goals.
When you are running a business, in my case several – you have to have discipline and self-control, and that isn’t always easy. In my case, I’ve always worked full-time and run my brands by myself for the most part. I am thankful for my husband and supportive family. One of the biggest challenges I faced was the initial uncertainty and risk associated with starting a business. As a small business owner, you wear multiple hats and are responsible for every aspect of the company. It can be overwhelming, especially when faced with financial constraints and the need to make critical decisions that could impact the future of your business.
Another major struggle is managing cash flow. In the early stages, cash flow can be erratic, and maintaining a positive balance becomes crucial for survival. Balancing expenses, revenue generation, and ensuring timely payments from clients or customers requires careful planning and adaptability.
Marketing and establishing a strong brand presence can be daunting as well. Small businesses often have limited resources for advertising and promotion, making it essential to find creative and cost-effective ways to reach the target audience and build brand recognition. Developing a unique value proposition and effectively communicating it to potential customers is a continuous process. Sometimes, I get overwhelmed, any of my close friends or family can definitely vouch for me, but I believe they will say that I stay consistent and dedicated by going with the flow most of the time and embracing the uncertainty. That’s what keeps me going!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In the past, I’ve had so many ideas throughout the years- I created my very first record label in 2009 when I was in high school, managed all of my artists and wore many hats. My creative process never stops, which is why I am an all-around creative, whether it’s music management, fashion design, styling, creating and building brands, if there is a creative approach, I’m most likely involved.
I started off also as a music artist, but I hated being in the spotlight, so I switched roles and started being more behind the scenes; I wanted to be the creative mastermind behind the project. So that’s exactly what I did. Currently, I own Raeluminati Brands Creative Agency and there are various brands created by me that fall under that umbrella. I specialize In creative direction and project management. The role of a Creative Director goes beyond simply managing a team. They are the driving force behind fostering a culture of innovation, pushing boundaries, and encouraging the exploration of new creative avenues. They inspire and mentor their team members, encouraging their growth and nurturing their talents.
A Creative Director is a visionary leader who oversees and guides the creative process within an organization. Their primary responsibility is to ensure the consistent delivery of compelling and impactful creative work that aligns with the company’s brand, objectives, and target audience.
A Creative Director is responsible for setting the creative direction, strategizing, and conceptualizing ideas for various projects. They work closely with clients, stakeholders, and a team of creative professionals to bring those ideas to life. This could include advertising campaigns, branding initiatives, digital experiences, product designs, and more. So that’s my specialty to create and build brands, an individual’s image or manage their project, whether it’s through music, fashion or building a brand from the ground up.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Just visit my official website at www.raeluminati.com, follow me on my Instagram @raeluminati or shoot me an email raellumiati@gmail.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.raeluminati.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/raeluminati
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raeluminatibrands
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravengoins
- Other: https://calendly.com/raeluminati
Image Credits
Raven Nicole Goins-Parnell Kevin Parnell
