Rhonda Wilkins, a veteran of 20 plus years in the entertainment industry, a diehard philanthropist and the ultimate entrepreneur; is the CEO of an Atlanta-based event marketing and production boutique, Divas Unlimited, Inc. She is best known as the creator and executive producer of the two annual award galas: The Legendary Awards, benefiting the Legendary Awards Foundation and The InfluenceHER Awards, benefiting the March for Babies Campaign
Divas Unlimited, Inc. served as the official marketing partner for the Tony award-winning Broadway musical Fela!. The play was extremely successful and sold out three days into the five day run. Wilkins and her strategic partners were able to bridge the importance of the history of Fela and his roots in the Civil Rights Movement in Atlanta by tying in Mayor Kasim Reed, city officials, local celebrities, Fela! ambassador and associate producer Ludacris Bridges to influence and educate the Atlanta community.
The Atlanta Business League recognized Wilkins as one of Atlanta’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence at the Women of Vision Breakfast. Wilkins has also received The Women of Influence Award from WEDA and was inducted into the 14th Edition of Who’s Who in Black Atlanta. Rolling out was able to catch up with Wilkins to find out what has propelled her on her journey to success.
What inspires you to show up at work everyday?
I love that my job has a lasting impact. I don’t just plan distraction-free events for the comfort of my clients. I strive for perfection in planning events so that their visions and dreams are realized and those attending the events will fall in love with our client’s product or purpose without distraction. Plus I have a team that is just as dedicated as I am to see this happen.
How did you determine your career path?
Actually, I lived it through those around me. Growing up, I never knew what a free saturday was, my grandmother would always have me with her visiting the elderly at the nursing home or visiting the sick and shut in or simply just giving back in the community. I also had parents that found it easy to help others achieve. I always knew what I wanted to do was going to take more faith in me, than those around me because by nature I am very shy; however, I have that “go getter” spirit. So I got creative in making my goals happen. In doing this, I found my niche` and creative talent for planning and orchestrating ideas from conception. As others realized my ability and saw how I could help others, it just evolved.
Describe the skill sets that are essential to future business leaders and innovators?
Although this is the 21st Century; you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what skills are needed to start and maintain a level of quality and integrity in business today. Most of the companies I have worked with either have the potential for multi-national branding or on their way towards it. If a business wants to expand and establish a presence in new markets they need to have the exemplary leadership skills and possess the intuitiveness to recognize how to stay ahead of their competition.
Define innovative methods you apply to your business and life.
Technology is changing every day, keeping up with it and hiring those who take it and integrate it into the vision and mission of the company is a plus. Leaders cannot be present everywhere. So to ensure each person affiliated with the business is able to be a team player, they need to use guided principles and precisely articulated strategies that stick with the original goal of the company. In other words, to lead and innovate, make sure you can model that behavior first, respect the talents of your team to do what they are gifted to do to accomplish each task and project set forth by the business, and stay ahead of your competition with the latest trends.
How do you set goals and evaluate your success?
I try to look at how I measure success with others to measure the progress of my own personal goals. Here are some ways that I do this. First, I ask myself, “Did my goals line up with MY original drive and motive?” When I am committed to a goal that will lead to my success, I don’t approach it to just please others, because then I won’t see the same emotional improvements as I make progress. So if I am pleased with the outcome, then it was a success!
Name three books that changed how you saw life that you would recommend to others.
My favorite author is John C. Maxwell and I have literally read all his books, but my two favorite books written by him are The 17 Indisputable Laws of Team Work and How Successful People Think. I also love author Stephen R. Covey. My favorite book by him is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change.
Describe why lifelong learning is important to you.
We live in the age of “move or you lose.” Knowledge is key; yet applying the right knowledge to the right situation is an important skill and is essential for success. If you have doubts about the stability of possessing knowledge and learning, ask someone who has never used technology or traveled beyond their comfort zone. They end up being “left behind”. Learning makes us able to see things from various perspectives, helps us to engage in constructive conversation able to grasp deeper understanding of things. I am able to meet every one of my client’s needs because I make it a point to be a continual learner. That helps me to be ALL that I can, not just for me, but for my family.
What are the three most important factors of being a successful woman?
Honesty (say what you mean and mean what you say), Confidence and Leadership
Technology plays what role in your daily life?
As I said before, this is the 21st Century and you have to stay ahead of the competition, so utilizing technology is necessary. All that I don’t know how to do, I make sure there are those around me who can do what I need to maximize on our marketing strategies and organizational structure.
What social media or digital tool has made the biggest difference in your life and why?
Social media networks, in particular Facebook has played a huge factor in my success. Over 70% of your marketing will reach people on social media before television or publications because the majority of your audience has a minimum of two social media outlets like FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter and now Periscope and Snapchat have been added.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
I would love to see more compassion in the world. Children, Elderly and Veterans hold a special place in my heart.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’m not sure that I would change anything about me; I think everything happens for a reason and I embrace all of my successes and failures in my life because they all have been a valuable learning experience.
Who or what motivates you and why?
The men in my house definitely motivate me. My 11 year old son Paris Jai (PJ) motivates me the most because he is always watching me and how I handle certain situations. He is very appreciative of the hard work he sees me put in and he is very vocal about how much he appreciates all that I do for him, so it makes me work harder for him.
My husband John and I have been business partners for 18 years and when I want to give up he is always the one to remind me about how far we have come as a business built from the ground up.
What are the dos and don’ts for young women in business?
Dos : Focus, Stay positive, Pray Daily and allow yourself to learn something new everyday. Don’ts: Stay away from negativity and be careful of who you share your ideas with.
How do you successfully grow from business failure?
Failure is a part of life and more-so a part of business. In order to find the road to success, you must first venture into the paths less traveled, even if they lead to dead ends. When you fall short, that is your motivation to stand tall. Learn what works for you and what doesn’t then apply it to your next move and strategy for getting back up again. If your failure consists of individuals who either does not fit your plan or has lost the vision, then you need to reconstruct from within. If your failure is due to inability to reach your targeted audience or clientele, because someone else is already doing what you do, then you need to rethink your marketing practices and determine what it is that your prospective audience is attracted to, even if you have to use incentives. Simply, use what works for YOU and not what’s commonplace.
Name three of the most successful female role models and explain why.
Oprah, I love Oprah for her tenacity and skill to motivate the masses. Michelle Obama, I like Mrs. Obama for her Intelligence, Grace and Humanitarian Spirit. Linda Dean (CEO, Shacking off Shackles); I adopted her as my mentor a couple of years back because she has a heart of gold and is a true soldier for the Lord.
You can see Rhonda Wilkins and her Divas Unlimited team in action this year at the 5th annual 2016 Legendary Awards on March 6 at the Cobb Galleria. Visit the website for more details.
