Today we’d like to introduce you to Ohavia Phillips.
Hi Ohavia, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The Oh Show LLC was birthed after my four-year career in local TV news. I was a producer – reporter on the general assignments beat. I loved my job. But I wanted more. I wanted to be in the community, I wanted more community perspective stories, I wanted to highlight the good and positive in our city and I wanted to leave our viewer with some light. In our business, we are taught “if it bleeds, it leads,” and that began to weigh on me. So, after four years and covering some of the state’s top headlines, I decided to quit. I wanted to pursue my dreams of creating positive media content and inspiring our communities to hear one another out.
Currently, my media business is thriving. I have been blessed to continue live shows during the pandemic. Safely of course. With the help of some amazing partnerships like The Blumenthal and The Harvey B. Gantt Center – I am blessed to continue to create positive media content. I have also been grateful to do more speaking engagements, hosting events that align with my core values, and even enter into the diversity, equity, and inclusion space.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Since establishing my business in October 2018, it has been a blessing, but it has not been EASY [laughs]. But that’s what comes with entrepreneurship and I knew what I signed up for. For (about) two years, I was working at coffeehouses to fund my dreams. While working at the coffeehouses part-time, I was hosting gigs, doing speaking engagements, and even still putting on live talk shows. Phew! [laughs] I would be your favorite barista by day and host an entire event, sometimes two, at night. But I believed in my dream so much. And I am grateful for all of the bosses who supported me. They offered me a place to make some money but still follow my dreams.
I am blessed to say, that I have gone from coffeehouses to contracts. And I am very grateful for every part-time job. It taught me to be a better leader, to be a patient entrepreneur, and to build your dream on a solid foundation.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I believe in using any platform with purpose. God has blessed me tremendously to serve in media and my goal is to always show a positive aspect to any situation.
In the fall, backed by Queen City Podcast Network and OrthoCarolina, the “Beautiful People with Ohavia Phillips Podcast” launches 🎉 offering more Long-form and in-depth discussions on the amazing positive work being done in North Carolina and beyond.
Through the Lead With Love #Ohmazing campaign – gifted by my good sisters at The Savage Way – I remind people to create safe spaces for everyone to learn but especially unlearn. Through clean graffiti messages and a billboard. I wanted to remind our neighbors to pay attention to their own implicit bias by educating themselves on different experiences. This is a work that I hold near and dear. It is so important in our society, to do our own research, have uncomfortable conversations and hold leaders accountable. But in every aspect, the goal is to create a sense of love and understanding so that everybody can learn.
I’ve also been blessed to moderate important conversations surrounding artist sustainability and artist development. Alongside amazing organizations like Hue House LLC and Wray Ward and Charlotte Is Creative.
On the media side of things, I use the talk show to have in-depth conversations on what the community would like to discuss. Topics have included women’s empowerment, racial justice, Equity and funding artists, and creative entrepreneurs.
Overall, whatever opportunities I am blessed with, I want to use it to have important conversations and build our beautiful community. That matters to me.
How do you think about luck?
When it comes to both my life and business, I’m not lucky, I’m blessed. But I believe, the blessings roll in because I keep my hands to good work. Overall, with anything in life, if you want to see a continuous positive harvest, you have to be consistent and diligent. No matter what. When you are at your highest, and when you are at your adjustments. When you have announcements, and when things go quiet. When you are bringing in six figures or even when you have to adjust your business model. In all things in life, there is an ebb and flow. The goal is to stay consistent and diligent. And that will definitely increase your odds when it comes to luck.
Contact Info:
- Email: theohshowllc@gmail.com
- Website: www.ohaviaphillips.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/ohaviaphillips
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ohaviaphillips
- Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ohaviaphillips
- Youtube: www.YouTube.com/TheOhShow
Image Credits
@Sancho.Smalls
