In this inspiring conversation, I reconnect with a longtime friend of the podcast, Dominique B. Fluker, whose journey I've witnessed from PR agency copywriter to nationally recognized multimedia journalist and contributing lifestyle editor at Essence Magazine. Dominique shares the pivotal moments that shaped her bold career transitions—from quitting TikTok and moving to LA without a job or graduate school acceptance, to walking red carpets and interviewing celebrities like Oprah. With raw honesty, she discusses overcoming personal tragedy, using intuition to guide professional decisions, and balancing ambition with meaningful relationships. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone considering a career change, building their personal brand, or seeking work-life balance. Dominique's story proves that with tenacity, faith, and strategic networking, you can create the fabulous life you deserve without regrets.
Dominique's website - https://dominiquebfluker.com/
Takeaways:
Dominique emphasizes the importance of stepping up in challenging situations.
Her experiences with loss have solidified her confidence and resilience.
She created her own opportunities through blogging and networking.
Dominique's journey reflects the significance of authenticity in one's career.
She believes in the power of intuition when making life decisions.
Dominique highlights the importance of cherishing milestones and achievements.
She prepares for interviews by researching and connecting emotionally with her subjects.
Dominique acknowledges the struggle of balancing ambition with personal fulfillment.
She defines success as a combination of personal and professional achievements.
Dominique stresses that hard work is essential, regardless of appearances.
Dominique's website - https://dominiquebfluker.com/
Takeaways:
Dominique emphasizes the importance of stepping up in challenging situations.
Her experiences with loss have solidified her confidence and resilience.
She created her own opportunities through blogging and networking.
Dominique's journey reflects the significance of authenticity in one's career.
She believes in the power of intuition when making life decisions.
Dominique highlights the importance of cherishing milestones and achievements.
She prepares for interviews by researching and connecting emotionally with her subjects.
Dominique acknowledges the struggle of balancing ambition with personal fulfillment.
She defines success as a combination of personal and professional achievements.
Dominique stresses that hard work is essential, regardless of appearances.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
This is amazing media production.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Welcome back to another episode of the Switch Pivoter Quit Podcast.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
I am your host, Ayanna Angel, and.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
This is the space where we talk about change, where
we talk about what's next, where we get into the
lifestyle elements, the professional elements, the personal elements that help
us to make the decisions about what's next.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
This is all about the switch Pivoter Quit and switch
Pivoter Quit to me just means change.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Today we're gonna be speaking with Dominique Brielle Flucker aka
Dominique b Flucker.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
And Dominique is.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
A wonderful woman who I met years ago. Funny enough,
not too long after I first started this podcast, Dominique
came out to one of my live podcast recordings.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
This was in twenty.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Eighteen, I think before people were even doing live podcast recordings,
or they weren't as popular as they are now.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
I just tried my hand at a thing.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Me having a marketing background, I figured this is something
that's a good idea to do to get this podcast
out there. Lo and bey All, I met Dominique, who
was a pleasure at the time and continues to be
a pleasure.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
She's such a.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Wonderful spirit and energy that you're going to pick up
on once we jump into this conversation. Dominique has a
long history that is exemplary. She's done a lot of
amazing things. Dominique is a nationally recognized multimedia journalist.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
She's a moderator, she's.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
A content marketer, she is a interior designed storyteller, and
she's an editor and right now she happens to be
a contributing lifestyle editor at Essence Magazine. Dominique has accomplished
a lot in her years, her short ears, I'll say,
(02:10):
because she's not old, right, and she has walked away
with some learnings from the things that she's accomplished. And
she's such a grounded and down to earth person that
I think you will really enjoy hearing about her journey and.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
What she's learned along the way.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
So let's get into it.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
Dominique.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
I've watched you grow so much and just really come
into your own in the space of media, on both
sides of media, and I'm so proud of you.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
So I'm so excited for us to be chatting today.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
And the first thing I want to ask you is
what three words would you use to describe yourself.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Yes, thank you so much for that question and beautiful intro.
So I would say ambitious, bold into.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Nature, tenacious. That's a word I haven't heard in a while.
What makes you tenacious?
Speaker 4 (02:59):
No, I'm just so driven. I don't take no for
an answer. If I do get no, I go around
or figure it out. I'm really dedicated to my craft
and also just the art of living well and going
after my dreams. You know, I don't want it to
be a situation where I have any type of regrets.
(03:20):
When I was accepted into my undergraduate college, Sarah Lawrence
College in New York, I had applied early and I
didn't get early decision. In fact, the missions director sent
a letter to myself and my guidance counselor at Berkeley
(03:41):
High School and said, we love your tenacity. If you're
able to up your GPA some you have a stronger chance.
And I did everything I could do in that semester
to in fact do that, and then I got into
Sarah Lawrence.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
So that was your first sort of experience with being
told do more, and then you saw what doing more
would get you.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
You saw the results of it.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
So is it safe to say that's something you adopted
moving forward.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Definitely. I do think it was a test. Am I
going to step up to the play or power or
feel intimidated or feel like I couldn't do something? And
I think ever since I was young, it's like I'm
going to do it, you know. Yeah, well so, yeah,
that was one of the tests. And I've had many
tests in my life and in my career that kind
of brought me to that point are you going to
(04:30):
step back or are you going to step up? I
would say that was the first one. Mm.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
And so aside from that one, what other test stands
out for you as like one that you would say
to yourself, like, I really did that, and when you're
encountering other challenging situations, you maybe use that experience to
remind yourself.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
Yeah, you know, I think the tests throughout my young
adult life and full adult life now has really solidified
my confidence. And I can easily tell you another one.
When I was a junior at Sarah Lawrence College, I
did a study abroad program in Florence, Italy, and I
was studying art history. Back then, I was studying anthropology
(05:14):
and Italian language. And then I decided to go to
Spelman College to finish out that year, so I did
a domestic exchange program and that's when I really kind
of started into marketing and and turning. So shout out
to Spellman always. But during that time, my father passed away.
He was murdered in Oakland. I went back home, of course,
(05:36):
to help my mother and to grief and to play
in the funeral essentially, and came to a point where
it was like, Okay, I've been on bereefment for about
two to three weeks and my mom came to me
in my room and said, you know what, I think
you should go back to school. And that was another
turning point for the both of us. Because I had
all these scholarships, I had a track to finish, and
(05:58):
I know that it was very important for her to finish,
but also for me to finish, but also for my
father to get my college degree because I was the
first generation graduate in my family, in my immediate family,
my mother and my father, so that was really important
to them. But that was another test because what if
I didn't go back. What if I took a year
(06:19):
off and stayed in Oakland, where I'm from, and decided
to do that. You know, I probably would have a
very different life right now.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
Speaking of life, how would you describe your current lifestyle?
Speaker 4 (06:30):
Fabulous? Okay, I love it. I paid the cost of Yeah, yeah,
I would say fabulous, and also just really inspiring to myself.
You know, if other people are inspired by it, I'm
really happy about that. But I had to make this life.
I had to pick up myself so many different times
(06:52):
with my father of course, and then my mother recently
passed in twenty twenty three in October. So if I
had to pick myself time and time again, and I'm like,
you know what, if I got to pick myself up again,
it's going to be very fabulous. We're going to blow
this life out, okay, Like we are going to experience
all that we can. We're gonna do all that we can.
We are going to live life to the fullest. And
(07:14):
it might not be exactly the way that I need
it right now, but it's sure as heck on that
full trajectory where I need it to be. So we're
just gonna keep trucking. M h.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
You've accomplished so much, but you've also overcome so much.
Thank you for sharing the stories of your father passing
and how that impacted you and being able to move forward,
and your mother as well, because I know those are
two central figures in our lives, right And you're standing
in a place now where you're standing on your own
(07:46):
in a different type of way, and there's something to
be said for that.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Can you think.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Back to those times where things were difficult and you
were deciding, like, I have to maybe make this shift
into being my mostbulous version of myself because life is sure.
Was there anything that was inspiring you around that time
or like kind of like what was what was pushing
you forward?
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Yes, that's such a great question because I'm thinking back
to twenty three year old Dominique, where I legally had
to be my mother's caretaker and you know, I'm not
going to go into why, but I had to. And
then I think that's when I really started being an adult.
You know, I was just starting out into agency. So
for those who are not familiar with what agencies are,
(08:30):
it's pr agencies. But I was a digital copywriter for
a lot of high profile accounts, so Title Air New Zealand,
Microsoft Pulls, uh, those type of accounts, and it was
a lot of pressure and I was the only black
woman in the office and the only black digital copywriter
on the West Coast. Plus I had a lot of
(08:52):
responsibilities back Hope, and so I felt like, in order
to make sure that my mom and myself was taken
care if, I worked extremely hard. And I also wanted
to make sure that I had my own place to retreat,
which was my own apartment twenty three twenty four that
myray moved out and really began to take care of
(09:13):
myself and my mother from my own salaries. Yeah, that
just made me go hard. And but another thing that
I really want to call out is I had to
kind of create my own world outside of that grind.
And that's when the work Dominique blog came to life.
(09:34):
And that blog saved my life in so many different ways.
It was a way for me to write out what
I was going through, of course, the ups and downs
with me coming into myself as a young lady and
business and as you know, agencies are tough, especially if
you're the only black one, especially if you're a woman.
And so anyway, the blog was just a place where
(09:55):
I can get out my feelings, talk about my adventures,
talk about dating, all of that type of lifestyle stuff,
and it's crazy that I'm fully doing that today because
it started with the blog. And then also the blog
introduced me to branding, branding myself, having a brand that's
tangible and that can be respected and noted. And then
(10:18):
the third type of wave of the blog, too was
leveraging that blog because I was connected in the agency world,
and when I was living in the Bay Area, my
friends worked at high profile tech companies that would interview
them for my blog. It was the thing, and it
got pretty popular. And I one night after the agency
or I was tired, you know, I was working super
(10:40):
long hours and I think it was after a title
launch or something like that, and I was hungry. I
wasn't going to be able to cook that night by
the time I got home from San Francisco to Oakland,
and one of my associates had invited me to back.
Then Forbes had these events at the Forbes HQ in
San Francisco, and so I was like, ooh, I'm in.
(11:01):
I look Keith. Thank god, I wore some heels. Let
me sounter over there. At least get a slice of
pizza and prosecco. That's what they were offering that night
and see if I can do some casual networking. Lo
and behold, I meet my editor for many years at Forbes,
and she has not moved on, but she was wonderful
and a blessing to my life. And she said, you
know what, you have such a great personality. I bet
(11:24):
you know so many different people. Do you write? We're
looking for more writers.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
Yes, I do write, Actually I do.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
Let me just but I was just cringing at how bold.
I was like, yes, I have a blog. And you
know it's like, girl, you have a blog. You don't
have anything really published on a reputable site, but you
are pushing this blog. I admire my old self for
that because you cannot tell her anything. And so I
had a blog. I pitched three people that I knew
(11:52):
and who was more of like a mentor for me
at the agency at the time that I was at,
and she was very c suite. And that first article
that I wrote about her, it was a Q and
A and went viral and went viral on the site
in general. And then that's when I started to get
some momentum. And then I later got promoted to senior
(12:15):
contributor and acts to speak at Forbes HQ. So that
was all due to working hard, strategic branding, networking and
having the goal yeah, go for it, and yeah yeah
that is still working for me today.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Yeah, and also a bit of creating opportunities for yourself,
not knowing where it might take you. But the blog
was you creating your own opportunities. So then by the
time you were asked that question, do you write like
you said naively, You're like, yes, but you know you
were writing right, Maybe not in the way that she
was asking, but technically you were writing and you had
(12:54):
started to create your opportunities. So I love that.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
I know you're locked insight and soaking up all this goodness,
but hold on for me just one minute or maybe
two while we hear from our sponsors. At this point,
you've navigated roles at major platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Glassdoor, TikTok,
(13:24):
and now Essence. You're an editor at Essence. How do
you determine what avenues you're going to take or go
after next?
Speaker 4 (13:32):
You know, I think everything that I've done has been
really coore into the person of who I am. I
have been writing about lifestyle for years before I became
a lifestyle editor at Essence. I've been writing about living
your best life, finding the travel spots, and you know,
when people look at my Instagram, they're like, oh, yeah,
this tracks, this is her trajectory. She's been doing this
(13:52):
for a while, so I think whatever I'm really passionate about,
and for me, that has always been lifestyle. It's always
been the clips in the glam of entertainment. I love
to dress up. I love a good carpet moment. I
love to interact with people. I would like to say that,
you know, aside from being in the business of the writing,
I'm in the business of people, and that has carried
(14:14):
me into and inserted me into so many different paths
and avenues like interior design. You know, even though it
might be a singular and same thing with writing, it
might be a singular practice. We're interacting with people all
the time when it comes to interviews, when it comes
to working with a person on how to decorate and
remodel their home, that is very people in person centric.
(14:37):
I've recently been into the carpet interviews, on on camera interviews,
the television spots, and that's a totally different ballgame. When
it comes to working with producers, working with set design people,
working with photographers, and I love it all, like I
love I feel like that that's what I'm supposed to do. Yeah,
(15:00):
I would have to say that I've operated from being
super creative being lifestyle oriented in a way of always
trying to better my life and what does that look like,
whether it's a wellness hack, exclusive travel opportunity. And then
also the interior design where we are beautifying people's homes,
whether we're writing about it or actually in the field
(15:22):
doing in it.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
And so writing you actually switched because when I met
you you were doing pr and the yesteryears, right, you
were at the agency so long ago, I know, I know.
But then at a certain point you transition to being
a journalist, Right, What went into that decision of because
(15:46):
you've obviously taken us through the journey of you starting
your blog and writing there writing for Forbes, what was
the catalyst that made you sort of say, hey, I
want to go back and get credentialed in this space
as a writer as a journalist And what did you
sort of do and consider as you went along that journey.
Speaker 4 (16:05):
Yeah, definitely, I love this. It's bringing me back down
memory lay. Yeah, we need to remember all the things
that we've done so we can walk through confidently to
the next stage and projects of our lives. So I
love this. Thank you for that question. So I will
take you back to when if I was clawing clawing
up the agency ladder. I was at pr Agencies. I
(16:25):
was a digital copywriter, and so I started as an
account coordinator and that was more of like a PR role.
But luckily for me, I was asked to do like
influencer marketing additional to that, so that kind of I
will did that role into working myself up to be
a senior account executive at a large agency, and oh
(16:46):
my god, I was so hard on myself back then.
I used to go to the color COLMN conferences all
the time, and I wouldn't connect with my comm's girlfriends
and we'd be like and I still talk to her
to this day, and we'd be like, Okay, so by
the time we're twenty six and twenty seven, will be vps.
She's actually a VP because she stayed in that track. Okay,
shout out to her. I love Andrea. But for me,
(17:07):
I was like, Okay, by the time I'm twenty seven,
I have to be an account supervisor that's two notches
below VP. And so you know, I went to Edelman
and I was indeed an account supervisor. I won twenty seven,
which was sane think back. So, but we pushed ourselves
(17:28):
very hard. So anyway, made it to account supervisor at
Edelman's working on major accounts. And so I got burnt
out there and then I decided to transition into tech.
I see this editorial role that would be perfect for
me because as a copywriter, you're constantly writing. I have
all these digital campaigns I can speak to. It still
(17:48):
live on my site. Now, ladies, if you want to
do run the receipt, tell me you can't, honey, Okay,
it's still live. But anyway, I was trying to leverage
those clips and campaigns and trying to find a connective tissue.
Oh my god, I sound like such an agency person
right now to how it made sense for me to
be in this editorial rold So interviewed with Amy Elisa Jackson.
(18:12):
She is amazing. She was editorial director at Glassdoor and
she hired me. She said, oh, you can instantly do
this job. You're right, you've been in your block. Oh
and I forgot to mention. I was still doing my
column for Forbes on the side, so that helped in
that job process too. Yeah, I had to not because
remember I had to take care of my mom.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Yeah, so you had all these different avenues lined up
already that you're activating on.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Yes, And I retired my mom in my late twenties,
and so I was like, Okay, it's money got to
keep going in, but I can get more through tech
and also set us up. And so I got the
tech job at Glassdoor. I was the editorial content marketing
manager there and I loved it. I loved every bit
of it. But I also didn't want to be sagnant,
(19:00):
and so I'm like, okay, well, let's see how long
I can do tech. So I ended up going to
TikTok because I was a flashy company. I felt like
I needed that on my resume. I love Glassdoor, TikTok
was a hard working experience for me, and so I
did TikTok and then I got really burnt out because
I was also working Chinese hours, so burnt out. And
(19:24):
then I got to the point where I was like,
you know what, I was deeper into my journalism practice.
Not only was I writing for Forbes, I was writing
for Glamour, Travel and Leisure Business Insider. I was really
freelancing around. So I got a taste of that. And
I was like, well, you're doing all this and you
didn't go to J school. I mean, Sarah Lawrence College
(19:45):
is known for their writing classes and their interdisciplinary education.
So I certainly knew how to write right, but technically
I didn't in terms of journalism and this. And so
I said, well, what did you go to Jay's school?
I mean, mom is comfortable now, we're comfortable, both of us.
(20:06):
She's taken care of. You've always wanted to go to
LA what if you go? And so I was, you know,
I was sitting on my hands. And that's one thing
I learned. He needs to strike where the iron is hot,
procrastinating because opportunities can go just like that. And so
sitting on my hands, and then I went back on
to see about the deadline, missed it for USC journalism school.
(20:29):
I ended up getting into and God told me, and
I know it was him. It was a holy spirit.
He told me a couple of days later, go back
and check the website. And so I say, oh, sure,
I'm not supposed to go to LA like, maybe I
should just get another content marketing role, sack up my money,
go to nappen and flounce around like I've been doing.
(20:51):
Are you sure he's it here?
Speaker 3 (20:54):
Check that?
Speaker 4 (20:55):
And so I said okay. And so I go back
online and said, oh, it's been extended the way my
breath was. And I talked to Mommy about it, and
she's like, oh my god, you know, because she wanted
she wanted me to get my masters too. That was
another thing. She just loved education and so smart and
really encouraged me to get my masters. So that was
(21:17):
her pushing me too in that way, and she knew
I could do it. And so I was like, okay, Meani,
I'll call you after I'm done with this essay and
she's like, okay, let me read it. And so it
was just like our secret private thing. I didn't tell anybody,
anyone except for my mother that I was thinking about
doing this, and that's another tip, keep things close to
your chest until it's done. And so I ended up
(21:40):
applying and I didn't know if I got in, so
I quit TikTok. So that was over it, and I
was trying to stay in a place that just wasn't
aligned for me anymore. And then I packed up all
my stuff. My mom helped me pack, and I just
drove down to LA. Did not know I was gonna say, way,
did you know.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
You got it?
Speaker 4 (22:02):
You? You were really on a wing and a prayer
and a prayer. Yeah, I did not know if I
got in, didn't even know. And I didn't have a
job either, but I had, you know, I had some savings.
And so I was like, well, I'm gonna do it,
because what is the worst that happened. I signed the
year lease. I didn't get into grad school. You know
(22:23):
I need to come back home for Okay, Well, shoot,
you lived in LA for a year. You can at
least say that. And so I get there, never forget it,
like March was. When I got there. Two months later,
I got the acceptance letter and then I got and
then I got a contracting role at LinkedIn as a
(22:45):
pedatorial manager. Because I was working. I was working to
pay for grad school. Even though I got a great
scholarship as a cow and scholar, I was still working
to fund that and to fund myself. It ended up
working out, and then when I was in grad school,
you know, I was a teaching assistant with my kids
for a journalism one on one and then Essence asked
(23:07):
for me to do some freelance work. And then that's
when I was also writing for Essence years ago, like
okay untee, so I already had that relationship. But then
they asked for me to do freelance work around LA
and so I took every opportunity. And then they asked
(23:28):
for me to come on and while I was in
grad school, so I was doing both. I was going
to class, I was going to press trips, I was
getting my work done. I you know, I was just
doing all the things.
Speaker 1 (23:40):
So you you transitioned to full time at Essence while
in grad school.
Speaker 4 (23:45):
Yes? Wow.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
And so take us back to that the TikTok time
TikTok decision. You said it wasn't aligned with you anymore.
How did you know that it wasn't aligned with you anymore?
That's what they I really do love about me is
my intuition is always spot on. I know when people, places,
or things are not aligned for me anymore, and I
(24:07):
know when it's time to pivot. And so I just
listened to that inner voice, and I felt like Okay,
this is not working. And what do I want my
career to be?
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Yeah? In total, like what do I want my legacy
to be? And I said, well, you're gonna do something
bold to get a bold result. And that's what I did.
So it sounds like I'm hearing you say that you
looking internally first, had everything to do with the decisions
(24:42):
that you made that impacted things externally. Yeah, that and God,
and that God has been leading my path since I
went to New York, since I said yes to that,
I said yes to a bigger life. Well, that comes
a lot of sacer devices and commitments and trust and faith.
(25:02):
But I've always said yes to it, and that's what
I feel like I'm living in right now in Los Angeles.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
Was there anything that you did or have done in
the past to sort of really tap into the ability
to trust your intuition.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Well, I'm a very spiritual person, and I think being
so close to death at such a young age, I
mean I was twenty when my father was murdered, and
then I was thirty one when my mother passed away
from glioblastoma. It's a fatal brain cancer, and I think
(25:42):
you get real close to God in those moments, and
you also start to reevaluate your life pretty quickly. You're like, yeah,
well now listen, if this is not working for me,
you know what's on the other side, so you better
start pivoting and living the type of life that you
want now. And I just never wanted to have any.
Speaker 2 (26:03):
Type of refless Living the type of life that you
want now. I think is something that so many people desire,
but it is it feels so far away for so
many and I think it's different reasons for different people. Right,
But if you had any words of encouragement that you
(26:24):
would want to share with someone who feels like here
Dominique talking, but you know, living this life that I
do desire and I do feel like I deserve feels
so far away.
Speaker 1 (26:36):
What would you share with them?
Speaker 4 (26:38):
I hate to sound warbid, but when you're laying and
I've seen it, when you're laying in the hospital bed
and you're read thinking about everything you've done, you want
to have regrets. It's that simple. For me, it's that simple,
and it's uncomfortable, and I get it, and I have
a lot of empathy. It's uncomfortable to switch and pivot
(27:01):
and quit that right, it's uncomfortable to do that. You
don't know what it's coming next. But I'd rather do
something that is fulfilling. I'm passionate about it, and I
know that it's going to pay all. Then just sit
on my hands and let life go by. I simply
(27:23):
can't do that.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
Mm hm. And you haven't been doing that, that's a word.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
And you've you've now since been on red carpets and
doing all these things like you said, you've been to Evince,
like the Oscars and the Golden Globes. And that makes
me wonder do you encounter situations where your knees get
a little weak? Yes, some of it gets a little
queasy and you're a little unsure or nervous or just
(27:49):
like what am I walking into? Ooh, this is the
stuff I like to hear on the Switch Pivot or
quick podcast. But we will be right back after this break.
Speaker 4 (28:05):
Oh yeah. And I think in this business and I
had to check myself on this, these type of opportunities
are like once in a lifetime opportunities. Yeah, get too
jaded and don't take it for granted. I think when
you're in the work, like we all are, a lot
of my colleagues and myself, we're just like, Okay, we
got to get the next thing. You know, You're only
(28:25):
as good as your next thing. However, I've had so
many opportunities and moments, and that's another thing. Girls listen
to yourself, but also cherish those moments, basking those moments. Yeah,
but I've had so many moments like the Oscars where
I'm like, what am I really at the Oscars? It's
like an outer body experience. Did I really speak to
(28:47):
the celebrity? I mean when I interviewed Oprah for the
world premiere of The Color Purple in twenty twenty three,
I believe what happened? Did I just inter was Oprah
a couple of inches from my face?
Speaker 3 (29:03):
Could I have touched her? Did I touch her?
Speaker 4 (29:06):
Yeah, let's rewind that back. Yeah, so yeah that you know,
I just recently interviewed Charlie Ralph. Again. I've spoken speak
to her so many times, but this was really special
because it was her Walk of Fame ceremony. So seeing
that like history being made and you're right there and
you're in it, Like you don't realize it in the moment,
but when you look back, a like these are historic things,
(29:28):
not just myself, but for the culture and for me
to have a part in that. It's just such a
huge honor. You know, my first Essence Fest, moderating panels
and you know, people coming up to us as editors,
you know, wanting us to sign magazines or noticing our byline.
Like it's it's a different type of lifestyle, one that
(29:50):
I'm so blessed to live and to have experience and
experience it every day. But yeah, there's so many moments
that I'm just gobsmack. I don't show it, but when
I get home in my apartment and to get back
and have a glass of wine, I'm like, wait, wit, second,
did that actually happen? So yes, I but I also
(30:11):
really try, and I hope I come across as this
to remain humble. I think that is so important, and
to be a person that people want to work with. Yeah,
and just focusing on the work and not so much
the bragging. You know, I think people misconstrued posting your
work is bragging. It's like, no, I'm posting so I
can get more work, so people know.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
What I'm doing. What did I say? Press begets pressed? Honey,
you're from that school.
Speaker 4 (30:38):
No, that is very strategic marketing. Yeah, yeah, yeah yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
Speaking of doing the work, what do you do to
prep for big interviews? Like when you know you're gonna
speak with a shar Lee Roup, an Oprah whoever the
person may be that's going to be coming down the
carpet or you're gonna sit down with how do you
prep for your interviews? What tips would you give aspiring
(31:03):
journalists to prep for interviews?
Speaker 4 (31:06):
You know, when you're on red carpets, it's instantaneous, so
you have to be very prepared because you can't be
reading off a que carb. You have to know you
need to look at that sheet, hopefully three weeks in advance,
study each talent to see what they have going on,
what their new projects are, their previous interview. You need
(31:26):
to study each and every talent you see on that sheet.
And then there's also a certain thing where you can't
really preps. You have to know, you have to be
in the know in the culture and the side guys,
and then you know, when you start doing it, you
have these really beautiful connections. If you're lucky, you know,
some celebs hold my hand when interviewing on carpet, or
(31:51):
look at me like they feel comfortable interviewing with me,
and I think that's something that you can't prep for.
I think that just kind of naturally happens evolves. But yes,
I've had talent hold my hand crying on its and
I just always feel so honored to be a part
of their big moment because I know how hard they've
(32:12):
worked and probably don't even know the half of the
struggles they've been through behind the scenes, and they're you know,
interlocking our hands and crying because I feel that comfortable
and they know that I'm an empathetic person, and I
think that's something that you can't really teach. However, I
would just say research research, research, asks the questions that
(32:33):
haven't been asked before, and really connect with them on
an emotional level. I think I've gotten some of my
best tidbits and excerpts and quotes from being empathetic and
connecting with them on an emotional level sharing something. That's
how I know it's God, because I'm like, well, you
put me all through this so I can be able
to be empathetic and connect with others on that level.
Speaker 2 (32:55):
Is there anything that you still struggle with doing? And
I say struggle, I use that word loosely, struggle in
the way that you have to push yourself maybe a
little extra hard in order to do it. I think
it's not so much career at this point. I think
it's me, just like I said earlier, being in the moment,
(33:17):
celebrating my moments and not going to the next thing
because media moves fast, and I feel like I've adopted
this mindset of You're only as good as your last article,
your last big project, your last big interview, and sometimes
it's like, well, I don't know if that's necessarily the case,
but in our world it feels that way, and so
I think, you know, you're so focused on getting to
(33:39):
the next thing, you might not be giving yourself credit
as much as you should. And I do think I
struggle with that a lot. And I had a conversation
with a young lady.
Speaker 4 (33:51):
She was like, girl, do you know who you are?
And I'm just like m But you know, I think
I'm just trying to to catch up to other people's
perceptions of me because I am more humble and I
do care mainly about the work. So I'm working on that.
I'm working on, you know, really taking in all that
(34:13):
I've accomplished and done. Also being in the moment and
not just focusing on the next thing and really just
sitting still for a second and being like, oh wow,
that was great, or hm, maybe we should have done
a little bit better with this, or how can we
get to a next place? But honor where we are
right now. And so that's what I'm working on.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
Yeah, I think that's something that a lot of us
are working on because we're always striving for the next thing.
That's that ambition element, and I think I have different
feelings about it, right, Like my feelings are wavy about ambition, right,
they're not straight. I would love to hear how you
(34:55):
look at ambition now, because we know now from spending
this much time with you hearing your story, we know
that ambition is in your DNA, it has been. So
how do you feel about it now? What does the
word do for you?
Speaker 4 (35:10):
I'm a millennial and we grew up in the girl
boss era. It was cool, it was sexy, it was
like a risk. It was alluring to be a girl
boss because I think that was one of the feminist
ways where it was like okay, wait, you know we
had the first one in the seventies, but this one
was a little bit different because we had full autonomy
for our careers and also branding ourselves. I think that
(35:33):
was the difference too. It's like, well, what do you mean,
I'm a girl boss, I'm my own blog, I have
my own brand, you know, or you're selling your own clothes.
Speaker 1 (35:41):
It was a very empowering time, and so I think.
Speaker 4 (35:45):
That growing up in that era, I I just thought, Okay,
ambition is key, it's everything. It's gonna get you where
you need to go. Now I'm like, okay, so it's
just not hitting the way you sed to hear it.
So it's like, okay, well now you successfully have done
all these things, but how can we catch up the
(36:08):
other aspect of your life? How can you be more relational?
And that is what I'm working on because you know,
unfortunately for many people, I'm a Leo. Oh to Leo.
Speaker 3 (36:21):
No, you are Leo Oh? Yeah, me too. When is
your birthday?
Speaker 4 (36:26):
August seventh?
Speaker 2 (36:28):
You are right right behind me, I'm August fifteenth, or
right ahead of me.
Speaker 4 (36:31):
I should say yes, yeah you and nels good bad.
So I was gonna say I'm Leo, but also burgo
on my chart. I also have Secutarius in my chart,
so it's a lot of it's a lot of fire
going on. Yeah, and I'm really clear on what i want.
And I'm learning in therapy flexibility. Yep, what a concept.
(36:53):
So I'm learning how to be flexible. Not so much
in my career, you know, I think you just kind
of have to know what you want to try to
go forward, but flexible in my relationships. Yeah, and it's
been really it's been really helpful because you know, people
are gonna fall short. I mean, you fall short all
the time, but you can't tell us that we fall
short because we don't think we fall short, but we
(37:15):
fall short. We fall down and we get up and
other people do too. And other people are not as
anal as me. You know, other people are not as
driven as me, and that's okay. But I'm finding out
that that's okay. So I think this has been a
very eye opening year so far in the best way.
And I'm really looking forward to what is to come
(37:37):
relationally for me. And of course I've invested in hobbies.
You know, we love to do horseback riding. It's an
expensive hobby, but when I'm able to get out there,
I love to do it. You know, I find joy
in connecting with people, but now I'm trying to deepen
those relationships. Balance it out of it.
Speaker 2 (37:58):
Yeah, absolutely, balance is good. We love balance. You gotta
balance it out success. We just talked about ambition, Yes, success.
What does the future success.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
Look like for Dominique?
Speaker 2 (38:12):
And do you feel like you still have a long
way to go to achieve some of the things that
would deem you successful in your mind. It's such a
great layered question because I'm going to use part of
this answer to be a manifestation tactic. But I think
the first part of the answer would be I already
(38:34):
felt successful around twenty five. Is twenty seven when I
was able to take care of my mom, retire her,
have my career, have my friends, and have other relationships.
That was a part, a huge part of success, you know,
fully successful, successfully pivoting. That was another part in getting
(38:59):
my masters. I'm really proud of and I know my
mother is proud of that. I only invited her to
my graduation.
Speaker 4 (39:05):
She was so supportive and she was my rock during
the time, So you know, her holding my degree is
just living ret fee in my mind. But that and
then the next step is you know, really being a
serious contender in this media game, doing carpets, doing on
camera work, doing set interviews. All of that leads into
(39:28):
my brand, and of course DBF Interiors would love to
blow that out. So the last part of the answer
is bigger. I see everything that I'm doing now, but
on a bigger level elevation. You know, I'd love to
be on TV. So doing more on camera interviews with celebrities,
whether that's carpet, whether that's in studio, I could see
(39:51):
myself on a television show as well. And I just
feel like I can continue on this path. But the
next generation of this is going to be so much bigger.
Speaker 2 (40:02):
Is there anything that we haven't talked about that you're like, Oh,
I wish you would have asked me about this.
Speaker 1 (40:07):
Is there anything that you can think of that.
Speaker 4 (40:11):
We didn't touch on. Well, I want the girls to
know that I work, despite what it looks like right
by the fanciful things you are blessed with being able
to do do work. Yes, I work, and I really
go after these opportunities. You know. I'm pitching too, and
I am very serious about my craft, whether it's writing, interiors,
(40:35):
lifestyle in general. I work, and so you know, don't
let the events for you. The events are part of
the work as well. Well, I'm at events. I you know,
it's so funny, you know, networking at these events. I'm
meeting these celebs in person, or I'm meeting a potential
interview subject. I've pulled in certain exclusives networking at these events.
(41:01):
So it's all work. What that looks like. Okay, you're
in a ball gowny, you're walking down a carpet and
getting your photo professionally taken. That's for my brand. That's work,
or it's work when you're at different activations. That's for
various brands. That's for me to get those exclusive opportunities
(41:23):
and stories which will benefit me and benefit the brand.
So I just I just want people to really think
through what they're seeing on Instagram and know that I work.
Getting twisted.
Speaker 3 (41:38):
I like that.
Speaker 2 (41:38):
Well, that's a beautiful way to end, is that we
want to confirm that Dominique works. Okay, if you did
not pick up anything else from everything that she shared,
if you didn't get the clues that would let you know,
we're just gonna outright tell you she works.
Speaker 3 (41:58):
She works, She hustles for it.
Speaker 2 (42:00):
She makes the connections, she's in the right places at
the right time, she takes the opportunities all the things,
and you obviously get it done. And thank you for
spending time with us today and sharing with us a
little insight into your world and how you work and
why you work and just sharing your beautiful experiences with us.
(42:20):
Appreciate you for spending his time with us. Thank you
so much for the opportunity. It's a pleasure. And you
all if you need to find out more about Dominique
in her work, where should they go. It's so funny
because when I first came out, it was work Dominique.
Speaker 3 (42:37):
Yes, I remember that.
Speaker 4 (42:38):
That's a through line. You can find me on Instagram
at Dominique B Slooper and yeah and on LinkedIn at
Dominique b Booker.
Speaker 3 (42:51):
Amazing.
Speaker 2 (42:53):
Thank you all so much for spending time with us today.
Thank you for lending us your ear. I hope that
you've had a great, in inspiring experience with Dominique and
listening to her story. Thank you so much for spending
time with me and my guest today. I always appreciate
your presence. Your presence is a present to me. But
(43:14):
you know what would be a bigger present if you
shared this episode with somebody.
Speaker 3 (43:19):
I'd greatly appreciate it, and.
Speaker 2 (43:22):
I guess I will catch up with you on our
next episode. Make sure that you are just going out
into this world and holding your head high, being the
best version of yourself, and being confident in everything that
you do, even when you don't always feel so confident.
(43:42):
I'm rooting for you, and I hope you know that.
So be well, be good, and I will chat with.
Speaker 4 (43:49):
You next time.
Speaker 2 (43:53):
This podcast is produced by Mazie Media. Maze Media as
a woman led podcast production company that works with small
businesses and corporations. Visit mazimedia dot com for more details
on how you and your organization can go from ideation
to podcasting
This is amazing media production.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Welcome back to another episode of the Switch Pivoter Quit Podcast.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
I am your host, Ayanna Angel, and.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
This is the space where we talk about change, where
we talk about what's next, where we get into the
lifestyle elements, the professional elements, the personal elements that help
us to make the decisions about what's next.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
This is all about the switch Pivoter Quit and switch
Pivoter Quit to me just means change.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Today we're gonna be speaking with Dominique Brielle Flucker aka
Dominique b Flucker.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
And Dominique is.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
A wonderful woman who I met years ago. Funny enough,
not too long after I first started this podcast, Dominique
came out to one of my live podcast recordings.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
This was in twenty.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Eighteen, I think before people were even doing live podcast recordings,
or they weren't as popular as they are now.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
I just tried my hand at a thing.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Me having a marketing background, I figured this is something
that's a good idea to do to get this podcast
out there. Lo and bey All, I met Dominique, who
was a pleasure at the time and continues to be
a pleasure.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
She's such a.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Wonderful spirit and energy that you're going to pick up
on once we jump into this conversation. Dominique has a
long history that is exemplary. She's done a lot of
amazing things. Dominique is a nationally recognized multimedia journalist.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
She's a moderator, she's.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
A content marketer, she is a interior designed storyteller, and
she's an editor and right now she happens to be
a contributing lifestyle editor at Essence Magazine. Dominique has accomplished
a lot in her years, her short ears, I'll say,
(02:10):
because she's not old, right, and she has walked away
with some learnings from the things that she's accomplished. And
she's such a grounded and down to earth person that
I think you will really enjoy hearing about her journey and.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
What she's learned along the way.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
So let's get into it.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
Dominique.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
I've watched you grow so much and just really come
into your own in the space of media, on both
sides of media, and I'm so proud of you.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
So I'm so excited for us to be chatting today.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
And the first thing I want to ask you is
what three words would you use to describe yourself.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Yes, thank you so much for that question and beautiful intro.
So I would say ambitious, bold into.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Nature, tenacious. That's a word I haven't heard in a while.
What makes you tenacious?
Speaker 4 (02:59):
No, I'm just so driven. I don't take no for
an answer. If I do get no, I go around
or figure it out. I'm really dedicated to my craft
and also just the art of living well and going
after my dreams. You know, I don't want it to
be a situation where I have any type of regrets.
(03:20):
When I was accepted into my undergraduate college, Sarah Lawrence
College in New York, I had applied early and I
didn't get early decision. In fact, the missions director sent
a letter to myself and my guidance counselor at Berkeley
(03:41):
High School and said, we love your tenacity. If you're
able to up your GPA some you have a stronger chance.
And I did everything I could do in that semester
to in fact do that, and then I got into
Sarah Lawrence.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
So that was your first sort of experience with being
told do more, and then you saw what doing more
would get you.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
You saw the results of it.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
So is it safe to say that's something you adopted
moving forward.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Definitely. I do think it was a test. Am I
going to step up to the play or power or
feel intimidated or feel like I couldn't do something? And
I think ever since I was young, it's like I'm
going to do it, you know. Yeah, well so, yeah,
that was one of the tests. And I've had many
tests in my life and in my career that kind
of brought me to that point are you going to
(04:30):
step back or are you going to step up? I
would say that was the first one. Mm.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
And so aside from that one, what other test stands
out for you as like one that you would say
to yourself, like, I really did that, and when you're
encountering other challenging situations, you maybe use that experience to
remind yourself.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
Yeah, you know, I think the tests throughout my young
adult life and full adult life now has really solidified
my confidence. And I can easily tell you another one.
When I was a junior at Sarah Lawrence College, I
did a study abroad program in Florence, Italy, and I
was studying art history. Back then, I was studying anthropology
(05:14):
and Italian language. And then I decided to go to
Spelman College to finish out that year, so I did
a domestic exchange program and that's when I really kind
of started into marketing and and turning. So shout out
to Spellman always. But during that time, my father passed away.
He was murdered in Oakland. I went back home, of course,
(05:36):
to help my mother and to grief and to play
in the funeral essentially, and came to a point where
it was like, Okay, I've been on bereefment for about
two to three weeks and my mom came to me
in my room and said, you know what, I think
you should go back to school. And that was another
turning point for the both of us. Because I had
all these scholarships, I had a track to finish, and
(05:58):
I know that it was very important for her to finish,
but also for me to finish, but also for my
father to get my college degree because I was the
first generation graduate in my family, in my immediate family,
my mother and my father, so that was really important
to them. But that was another test because what if
I didn't go back. What if I took a year
(06:19):
off and stayed in Oakland, where I'm from, and decided
to do that. You know, I probably would have a
very different life right now.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
Speaking of life, how would you describe your current lifestyle?
Speaker 4 (06:30):
Fabulous? Okay, I love it. I paid the cost of Yeah, yeah,
I would say fabulous, and also just really inspiring to myself.
You know, if other people are inspired by it, I'm
really happy about that. But I had to make this life.
I had to pick up myself so many different times
(06:52):
with my father of course, and then my mother recently
passed in twenty twenty three in October. So if I
had to pick myself time and time again, and I'm like,
you know what, if I got to pick myself up again,
it's going to be very fabulous. We're going to blow
this life out, okay, Like we are going to experience
all that we can. We're gonna do all that we can.
We are going to live life to the fullest. And
(07:14):
it might not be exactly the way that I need
it right now, but it's sure as heck on that
full trajectory where I need it to be. So we're
just gonna keep trucking. M h.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
You've accomplished so much, but you've also overcome so much.
Thank you for sharing the stories of your father passing
and how that impacted you and being able to move forward,
and your mother as well, because I know those are
two central figures in our lives, right And you're standing
in a place now where you're standing on your own
(07:46):
in a different type of way, and there's something to
be said for that.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Can you think.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Back to those times where things were difficult and you
were deciding, like, I have to maybe make this shift
into being my mostbulous version of myself because life is sure.
Was there anything that was inspiring you around that time
or like kind of like what was what was pushing
you forward?
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Yes, that's such a great question because I'm thinking back
to twenty three year old Dominique, where I legally had
to be my mother's caretaker and you know, I'm not
going to go into why, but I had to. And
then I think that's when I really started being an adult.
You know, I was just starting out into agency. So
for those who are not familiar with what agencies are,
(08:30):
it's pr agencies. But I was a digital copywriter for
a lot of high profile accounts, so Title Air New Zealand,
Microsoft Pulls, uh, those type of accounts, and it was
a lot of pressure and I was the only black
woman in the office and the only black digital copywriter
on the West Coast. Plus I had a lot of
(08:52):
responsibilities back Hope, and so I felt like, in order
to make sure that my mom and myself was taken
care if, I worked extremely hard. And I also wanted
to make sure that I had my own place to retreat,
which was my own apartment twenty three twenty four that
myray moved out and really began to take care of
(09:13):
myself and my mother from my own salaries. Yeah, that
just made me go hard. And but another thing that
I really want to call out is I had to
kind of create my own world outside of that grind.
And that's when the work Dominique blog came to life.
(09:34):
And that blog saved my life in so many different ways.
It was a way for me to write out what
I was going through, of course, the ups and downs
with me coming into myself as a young lady and
business and as you know, agencies are tough, especially if
you're the only black one, especially if you're a woman.
And so anyway, the blog was just a place where
(09:55):
I can get out my feelings, talk about my adventures,
talk about dating, all of that type of lifestyle stuff,
and it's crazy that I'm fully doing that today because
it started with the blog. And then also the blog
introduced me to branding, branding myself, having a brand that's
tangible and that can be respected and noted. And then
(10:18):
the third type of wave of the blog, too was
leveraging that blog because I was connected in the agency world,
and when I was living in the Bay Area, my
friends worked at high profile tech companies that would interview
them for my blog. It was the thing, and it
got pretty popular. And I one night after the agency
or I was tired, you know, I was working super
(10:40):
long hours and I think it was after a title
launch or something like that, and I was hungry. I
wasn't going to be able to cook that night by
the time I got home from San Francisco to Oakland,
and one of my associates had invited me to back.
Then Forbes had these events at the Forbes HQ in
San Francisco, and so I was like, ooh, I'm in.
(11:01):
I look Keith. Thank god, I wore some heels. Let
me sounter over there. At least get a slice of
pizza and prosecco. That's what they were offering that night
and see if I can do some casual networking. Lo
and behold, I meet my editor for many years at Forbes,
and she has not moved on, but she was wonderful
and a blessing to my life. And she said, you
know what, you have such a great personality. I bet
(11:24):
you know so many different people. Do you write? We're
looking for more writers.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
Yes, I do write, Actually I do.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
Let me just but I was just cringing at how bold.
I was like, yes, I have a blog. And you
know it's like, girl, you have a blog. You don't
have anything really published on a reputable site, but you
are pushing this blog. I admire my old self for
that because you cannot tell her anything. And so I
had a blog. I pitched three people that I knew
(11:52):
and who was more of like a mentor for me
at the agency at the time that I was at,
and she was very c suite. And that first article
that I wrote about her, it was a Q and
A and went viral and went viral on the site
in general. And then that's when I started to get
some momentum. And then I later got promoted to senior
(12:15):
contributor and acts to speak at Forbes HQ. So that
was all due to working hard, strategic branding, networking and
having the goal yeah, go for it, and yeah yeah
that is still working for me today.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Yeah, and also a bit of creating opportunities for yourself,
not knowing where it might take you. But the blog
was you creating your own opportunities. So then by the
time you were asked that question, do you write like
you said naively, You're like, yes, but you know you
were writing right, Maybe not in the way that she
was asking, but technically you were writing and you had
(12:54):
started to create your opportunities. So I love that.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
I know you're locked insight and soaking up all this goodness,
but hold on for me just one minute or maybe
two while we hear from our sponsors. At this point,
you've navigated roles at major platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Glassdoor, TikTok,
(13:24):
and now Essence. You're an editor at Essence. How do
you determine what avenues you're going to take or go
after next?
Speaker 4 (13:32):
You know, I think everything that I've done has been
really coore into the person of who I am. I
have been writing about lifestyle for years before I became
a lifestyle editor at Essence. I've been writing about living
your best life, finding the travel spots, and you know,
when people look at my Instagram, they're like, oh, yeah,
this tracks, this is her trajectory. She's been doing this
(13:52):
for a while, so I think whatever I'm really passionate about,
and for me, that has always been lifestyle. It's always
been the clips in the glam of entertainment. I love
to dress up. I love a good carpet moment. I
love to interact with people. I would like to say that,
you know, aside from being in the business of the writing,
I'm in the business of people, and that has carried
(14:14):
me into and inserted me into so many different paths
and avenues like interior design. You know, even though it
might be a singular and same thing with writing, it
might be a singular practice. We're interacting with people all
the time when it comes to interviews, when it comes
to working with a person on how to decorate and
remodel their home, that is very people in person centric.
(14:37):
I've recently been into the carpet interviews, on on camera interviews,
the television spots, and that's a totally different ballgame. When
it comes to working with producers, working with set design people,
working with photographers, and I love it all, like I
love I feel like that that's what I'm supposed to do. Yeah,
(15:00):
I would have to say that I've operated from being
super creative being lifestyle oriented in a way of always
trying to better my life and what does that look like,
whether it's a wellness hack, exclusive travel opportunity. And then
also the interior design where we are beautifying people's homes,
whether we're writing about it or actually in the field
(15:22):
doing in it.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
And so writing you actually switched because when I met
you you were doing pr and the yesteryears, right, you
were at the agency so long ago, I know, I know.
But then at a certain point you transition to being
a journalist, Right, What went into that decision of because
(15:46):
you've obviously taken us through the journey of you starting
your blog and writing there writing for Forbes, what was
the catalyst that made you sort of say, hey, I
want to go back and get credentialed in this space
as a writer as a journalist And what did you
sort of do and consider as you went along that journey.
Speaker 4 (16:05):
Yeah, definitely, I love this. It's bringing me back down
memory lay. Yeah, we need to remember all the things
that we've done so we can walk through confidently to
the next stage and projects of our lives. So I
love this. Thank you for that question. So I will
take you back to when if I was clawing clawing
up the agency ladder. I was at pr Agencies. I
(16:25):
was a digital copywriter, and so I started as an
account coordinator and that was more of like a PR role.
But luckily for me, I was asked to do like
influencer marketing additional to that, so that kind of I
will did that role into working myself up to be
a senior account executive at a large agency, and oh
(16:46):
my god, I was so hard on myself back then.
I used to go to the color COLMN conferences all
the time, and I wouldn't connect with my comm's girlfriends
and we'd be like and I still talk to her
to this day, and we'd be like, Okay, so by
the time we're twenty six and twenty seven, will be vps.
She's actually a VP because she stayed in that track. Okay,
shout out to her. I love Andrea. But for me,
(17:07):
I was like, Okay, by the time I'm twenty seven,
I have to be an account supervisor that's two notches
below VP. And so you know, I went to Edelman
and I was indeed an account supervisor. I won twenty seven,
which was sane think back. So, but we pushed ourselves
(17:28):
very hard. So anyway, made it to account supervisor at
Edelman's working on major accounts. And so I got burnt
out there and then I decided to transition into tech.
I see this editorial role that would be perfect for
me because as a copywriter, you're constantly writing. I have
all these digital campaigns I can speak to. It still
(17:48):
live on my site. Now, ladies, if you want to
do run the receipt, tell me you can't, honey, Okay,
it's still live. But anyway, I was trying to leverage
those clips and campaigns and trying to find a connective tissue.
Oh my god, I sound like such an agency person
right now to how it made sense for me to
be in this editorial rold So interviewed with Amy Elisa Jackson.
(18:12):
She is amazing. She was editorial director at Glassdoor and
she hired me. She said, oh, you can instantly do
this job. You're right, you've been in your block. Oh
and I forgot to mention. I was still doing my
column for Forbes on the side, so that helped in
that job process too. Yeah, I had to not because
remember I had to take care of my mom.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Yeah, so you had all these different avenues lined up
already that you're activating on.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Yes, And I retired my mom in my late twenties,
and so I was like, Okay, it's money got to
keep going in, but I can get more through tech
and also set us up. And so I got the
tech job at Glassdoor. I was the editorial content marketing
manager there and I loved it. I loved every bit
of it. But I also didn't want to be sagnant,
(19:00):
and so I'm like, okay, well, let's see how long
I can do tech. So I ended up going to
TikTok because I was a flashy company. I felt like
I needed that on my resume. I love Glassdoor, TikTok
was a hard working experience for me, and so I
did TikTok and then I got really burnt out because
I was also working Chinese hours, so burnt out. And
(19:24):
then I got to the point where I was like,
you know what, I was deeper into my journalism practice.
Not only was I writing for Forbes, I was writing
for Glamour, Travel and Leisure Business Insider. I was really
freelancing around. So I got a taste of that. And
I was like, well, you're doing all this and you
didn't go to J school. I mean, Sarah Lawrence College
(19:45):
is known for their writing classes and their interdisciplinary education.
So I certainly knew how to write right, but technically
I didn't in terms of journalism and this. And so
I said, well, what did you go to Jay's school?
I mean, mom is comfortable now, we're comfortable, both of us.
(20:06):
She's taken care of. You've always wanted to go to
LA what if you go? And so I was, you know,
I was sitting on my hands. And that's one thing
I learned. He needs to strike where the iron is hot,
procrastinating because opportunities can go just like that. And so
sitting on my hands, and then I went back on
to see about the deadline, missed it for USC journalism school.
(20:29):
I ended up getting into and God told me, and
I know it was him. It was a holy spirit.
He told me a couple of days later, go back
and check the website. And so I say, oh, sure,
I'm not supposed to go to LA like, maybe I
should just get another content marketing role, sack up my money,
go to nappen and flounce around like I've been doing.
(20:51):
Are you sure he's it here?
Speaker 3 (20:54):
Check that?
Speaker 4 (20:55):
And so I said okay. And so I go back
online and said, oh, it's been extended the way my
breath was. And I talked to Mommy about it, and
she's like, oh my god, you know, because she wanted
she wanted me to get my masters too. That was
another thing. She just loved education and so smart and
really encouraged me to get my masters. So that was
(21:17):
her pushing me too in that way, and she knew
I could do it. And so I was like, okay, Meani,
I'll call you after I'm done with this essay and
she's like, okay, let me read it. And so it
was just like our secret private thing. I didn't tell anybody,
anyone except for my mother that I was thinking about
doing this, and that's another tip, keep things close to
your chest until it's done. And so I ended up
(21:40):
applying and I didn't know if I got in, so
I quit TikTok. So that was over it, and I
was trying to stay in a place that just wasn't
aligned for me anymore. And then I packed up all
my stuff. My mom helped me pack, and I just
drove down to LA. Did not know I was gonna say, way,
did you know.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
You got it?
Speaker 4 (22:02):
You? You were really on a wing and a prayer
and a prayer. Yeah, I did not know if I
got in, didn't even know. And I didn't have a
job either, but I had, you know, I had some savings.
And so I was like, well, I'm gonna do it,
because what is the worst that happened. I signed the
year lease. I didn't get into grad school. You know
(22:23):
I need to come back home for Okay, Well, shoot,
you lived in LA for a year. You can at
least say that. And so I get there, never forget it,
like March was. When I got there. Two months later,
I got the acceptance letter and then I got and
then I got a contracting role at LinkedIn as a
(22:45):
pedatorial manager. Because I was working. I was working to
pay for grad school. Even though I got a great
scholarship as a cow and scholar, I was still working
to fund that and to fund myself. It ended up
working out, and then when I was in grad school,
you know, I was a teaching assistant with my kids
for a journalism one on one and then Essence asked
(23:07):
for me to do some freelance work. And then that's
when I was also writing for Essence years ago, like
okay untee, so I already had that relationship. But then
they asked for me to do freelance work around LA
and so I took every opportunity. And then they asked
(23:28):
for me to come on and while I was in
grad school, so I was doing both. I was going
to class, I was going to press trips, I was
getting my work done. I you know, I was just
doing all the things.
Speaker 1 (23:40):
So you you transitioned to full time at Essence while
in grad school.
Speaker 4 (23:45):
Yes? Wow.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
And so take us back to that the TikTok time
TikTok decision. You said it wasn't aligned with you anymore.
How did you know that it wasn't aligned with you anymore?
That's what they I really do love about me is
my intuition is always spot on. I know when people, places,
or things are not aligned for me anymore, and I
(24:07):
know when it's time to pivot. And so I just
listened to that inner voice, and I felt like Okay,
this is not working. And what do I want my
career to be?
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Yeah? In total, like what do I want my legacy
to be? And I said, well, you're gonna do something
bold to get a bold result. And that's what I did.
So it sounds like I'm hearing you say that you
looking internally first, had everything to do with the decisions
(24:42):
that you made that impacted things externally. Yeah, that and God,
and that God has been leading my path since I
went to New York, since I said yes to that,
I said yes to a bigger life. Well, that comes
a lot of sacer devices and commitments and trust and faith.
(25:02):
But I've always said yes to it, and that's what
I feel like I'm living in right now in Los Angeles.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
Was there anything that you did or have done in
the past to sort of really tap into the ability
to trust your intuition.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Well, I'm a very spiritual person, and I think being
so close to death at such a young age, I
mean I was twenty when my father was murdered, and
then I was thirty one when my mother passed away
from glioblastoma. It's a fatal brain cancer, and I think
(25:42):
you get real close to God in those moments, and
you also start to reevaluate your life pretty quickly. You're like, yeah,
well now listen, if this is not working for me,
you know what's on the other side, so you better
start pivoting and living the type of life that you
want now. And I just never wanted to have any.
Speaker 2 (26:03):
Type of refless Living the type of life that you
want now. I think is something that so many people desire,
but it is it feels so far away for so
many and I think it's different reasons for different people. Right,
But if you had any words of encouragement that you
(26:24):
would want to share with someone who feels like here
Dominique talking, but you know, living this life that I
do desire and I do feel like I deserve feels
so far away.
Speaker 1 (26:36):
What would you share with them?
Speaker 4 (26:38):
I hate to sound warbid, but when you're laying and
I've seen it, when you're laying in the hospital bed
and you're read thinking about everything you've done, you want
to have regrets. It's that simple. For me, it's that simple,
and it's uncomfortable, and I get it, and I have
a lot of empathy. It's uncomfortable to switch and pivot
(27:01):
and quit that right, it's uncomfortable to do that. You
don't know what it's coming next. But I'd rather do
something that is fulfilling. I'm passionate about it, and I
know that it's going to pay all. Then just sit
on my hands and let life go by. I simply
(27:23):
can't do that.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
Mm hm. And you haven't been doing that, that's a word.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
And you've you've now since been on red carpets and
doing all these things like you said, you've been to Evince,
like the Oscars and the Golden Globes. And that makes
me wonder do you encounter situations where your knees get
a little weak? Yes, some of it gets a little
queasy and you're a little unsure or nervous or just
(27:49):
like what am I walking into? Ooh, this is the
stuff I like to hear on the Switch Pivot or
quick podcast. But we will be right back after this break.
Speaker 4 (28:05):
Oh yeah. And I think in this business and I
had to check myself on this, these type of opportunities
are like once in a lifetime opportunities. Yeah, get too
jaded and don't take it for granted. I think when
you're in the work, like we all are, a lot
of my colleagues and myself, we're just like, Okay, we
got to get the next thing. You know, You're only
(28:25):
as good as your next thing. However, I've had so
many opportunities and moments, and that's another thing. Girls listen
to yourself, but also cherish those moments, basking those moments. Yeah,
but I've had so many moments like the Oscars where
I'm like, what am I really at the Oscars? It's
like an outer body experience. Did I really speak to
(28:47):
the celebrity? I mean when I interviewed Oprah for the
world premiere of The Color Purple in twenty twenty three,
I believe what happened? Did I just inter was Oprah
a couple of inches from my face?
Speaker 3 (29:03):
Could I have touched her? Did I touch her?
Speaker 4 (29:06):
Yeah, let's rewind that back. Yeah, so yeah that you know,
I just recently interviewed Charlie Ralph. Again. I've spoken speak
to her so many times, but this was really special
because it was her Walk of Fame ceremony. So seeing
that like history being made and you're right there and
you're in it, Like you don't realize it in the moment,
but when you look back, a like these are historic things,
(29:28):
not just myself, but for the culture and for me
to have a part in that. It's just such a
huge honor. You know, my first Essence Fest, moderating panels
and you know, people coming up to us as editors,
you know, wanting us to sign magazines or noticing our byline.
Like it's it's a different type of lifestyle, one that
(29:50):
I'm so blessed to live and to have experience and
experience it every day. But yeah, there's so many moments
that I'm just gobsmack. I don't show it, but when
I get home in my apartment and to get back
and have a glass of wine, I'm like, wait, wit, second,
did that actually happen? So yes, I but I also
(30:11):
really try, and I hope I come across as this
to remain humble. I think that is so important, and
to be a person that people want to work with. Yeah,
and just focusing on the work and not so much
the bragging. You know, I think people misconstrued posting your
work is bragging. It's like, no, I'm posting so I
can get more work, so people know.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
What I'm doing. What did I say? Press begets pressed? Honey,
you're from that school.
Speaker 4 (30:38):
No, that is very strategic marketing. Yeah, yeah, yeah yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
Speaking of doing the work, what do you do to
prep for big interviews? Like when you know you're gonna
speak with a shar Lee Roup, an Oprah whoever the
person may be that's going to be coming down the
carpet or you're gonna sit down with how do you
prep for your interviews? What tips would you give aspiring
(31:03):
journalists to prep for interviews?
Speaker 4 (31:06):
You know, when you're on red carpets, it's instantaneous, so
you have to be very prepared because you can't be
reading off a que carb. You have to know you
need to look at that sheet, hopefully three weeks in advance,
study each talent to see what they have going on,
what their new projects are, their previous interview. You need
(31:26):
to study each and every talent you see on that sheet.
And then there's also a certain thing where you can't
really preps. You have to know, you have to be
in the know in the culture and the side guys,
and then you know, when you start doing it, you
have these really beautiful connections. If you're lucky, you know,
some celebs hold my hand when interviewing on carpet, or
(31:51):
look at me like they feel comfortable interviewing with me,
and I think that's something that you can't prep for.
I think that just kind of naturally happens evolves. But yes,
I've had talent hold my hand crying on its and
I just always feel so honored to be a part
of their big moment because I know how hard they've
(32:12):
worked and probably don't even know the half of the
struggles they've been through behind the scenes, and they're you know,
interlocking our hands and crying because I feel that comfortable
and they know that I'm an empathetic person, and I
think that's something that you can't really teach. However, I
would just say research research, research, asks the questions that
(32:33):
haven't been asked before, and really connect with them on
an emotional level. I think I've gotten some of my
best tidbits and excerpts and quotes from being empathetic and
connecting with them on an emotional level sharing something. That's
how I know it's God, because I'm like, well, you
put me all through this so I can be able
to be empathetic and connect with others on that level.
Speaker 2 (32:55):
Is there anything that you still struggle with doing? And
I say struggle, I use that word loosely, struggle in
the way that you have to push yourself maybe a
little extra hard in order to do it. I think
it's not so much career at this point. I think
it's me, just like I said earlier, being in the moment,
(33:17):
celebrating my moments and not going to the next thing
because media moves fast, and I feel like I've adopted
this mindset of You're only as good as your last article,
your last big project, your last big interview, and sometimes
it's like, well, I don't know if that's necessarily the case,
but in our world it feels that way, and so
I think, you know, you're so focused on getting to
(33:39):
the next thing, you might not be giving yourself credit
as much as you should. And I do think I
struggle with that a lot. And I had a conversation
with a young lady.
Speaker 4 (33:51):
She was like, girl, do you know who you are?
And I'm just like m But you know, I think
I'm just trying to to catch up to other people's
perceptions of me because I am more humble and I
do care mainly about the work. So I'm working on that.
I'm working on, you know, really taking in all that
(34:13):
I've accomplished and done. Also being in the moment and
not just focusing on the next thing and really just
sitting still for a second and being like, oh wow,
that was great, or hm, maybe we should have done
a little bit better with this, or how can we
get to a next place? But honor where we are
right now. And so that's what I'm working on.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
Yeah, I think that's something that a lot of us
are working on because we're always striving for the next thing.
That's that ambition element, and I think I have different
feelings about it, right, Like my feelings are wavy about ambition, right,
they're not straight. I would love to hear how you
(34:55):
look at ambition now, because we know now from spending
this much time with you hearing your story, we know
that ambition is in your DNA, it has been. So
how do you feel about it now? What does the
word do for you?
Speaker 4 (35:10):
I'm a millennial and we grew up in the girl
boss era. It was cool, it was sexy, it was
like a risk. It was alluring to be a girl
boss because I think that was one of the feminist
ways where it was like okay, wait, you know we
had the first one in the seventies, but this one
was a little bit different because we had full autonomy
for our careers and also branding ourselves. I think that
(35:33):
was the difference too. It's like, well, what do you mean,
I'm a girl boss, I'm my own blog, I have
my own brand, you know, or you're selling your own clothes.
Speaker 1 (35:41):
It was a very empowering time, and so I think.
Speaker 4 (35:45):
That growing up in that era, I I just thought, Okay,
ambition is key, it's everything. It's gonna get you where
you need to go. Now I'm like, okay, so it's
just not hitting the way you sed to hear it.
So it's like, okay, well now you successfully have done
all these things, but how can we catch up the
(36:08):
other aspect of your life? How can you be more relational?
And that is what I'm working on because you know,
unfortunately for many people, I'm a Leo. Oh to Leo.
Speaker 3 (36:21):
No, you are Leo Oh? Yeah, me too. When is
your birthday?
Speaker 4 (36:26):
August seventh?
Speaker 2 (36:28):
You are right right behind me, I'm August fifteenth, or
right ahead of me.
Speaker 4 (36:31):
I should say yes, yeah you and nels good bad.
So I was gonna say I'm Leo, but also burgo
on my chart. I also have Secutarius in my chart,
so it's a lot of it's a lot of fire
going on. Yeah, and I'm really clear on what i want.
And I'm learning in therapy flexibility. Yep, what a concept.
(36:53):
So I'm learning how to be flexible. Not so much
in my career, you know, I think you just kind
of have to know what you want to try to
go forward, but flexible in my relationships. Yeah, and it's
been really it's been really helpful because you know, people
are gonna fall short. I mean, you fall short all
the time, but you can't tell us that we fall
short because we don't think we fall short, but we
(37:15):
fall short. We fall down and we get up and
other people do too. And other people are not as
anal as me. You know, other people are not as
driven as me, and that's okay. But I'm finding out
that that's okay. So I think this has been a
very eye opening year so far in the best way.
And I'm really looking forward to what is to come
(37:37):
relationally for me. And of course I've invested in hobbies.
You know, we love to do horseback riding. It's an
expensive hobby, but when I'm able to get out there,
I love to do it. You know, I find joy
in connecting with people, but now I'm trying to deepen
those relationships. Balance it out of it.
Speaker 2 (37:58):
Yeah, absolutely, balance is good. We love balance. You gotta
balance it out success. We just talked about ambition, Yes, success.
What does the future success.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
Look like for Dominique?
Speaker 2 (38:12):
And do you feel like you still have a long
way to go to achieve some of the things that
would deem you successful in your mind. It's such a
great layered question because I'm going to use part of
this answer to be a manifestation tactic. But I think
the first part of the answer would be I already
(38:34):
felt successful around twenty five. Is twenty seven when I
was able to take care of my mom, retire her,
have my career, have my friends, and have other relationships.
That was a part, a huge part of success, you know,
fully successful, successfully pivoting. That was another part in getting
(38:59):
my masters. I'm really proud of and I know my
mother is proud of that. I only invited her to
my graduation.
Speaker 4 (39:05):
She was so supportive and she was my rock during
the time, So you know, her holding my degree is
just living ret fee in my mind. But that and
then the next step is you know, really being a
serious contender in this media game, doing carpets, doing on
camera work, doing set interviews. All of that leads into
(39:28):
my brand, and of course DBF Interiors would love to
blow that out. So the last part of the answer
is bigger. I see everything that I'm doing now, but
on a bigger level elevation. You know, I'd love to
be on TV. So doing more on camera interviews with celebrities,
whether that's carpet, whether that's in studio, I could see
(39:51):
myself on a television show as well. And I just
feel like I can continue on this path. But the
next generation of this is going to be so much bigger.
Speaker 2 (40:02):
Is there anything that we haven't talked about that you're like, Oh,
I wish you would have asked me about this.
Speaker 1 (40:07):
Is there anything that you can think of that.
Speaker 4 (40:11):
We didn't touch on. Well, I want the girls to
know that I work, despite what it looks like right
by the fanciful things you are blessed with being able
to do do work. Yes, I work, and I really
go after these opportunities. You know. I'm pitching too, and
I am very serious about my craft, whether it's writing, interiors,
(40:35):
lifestyle in general. I work, and so you know, don't
let the events for you. The events are part of
the work as well. Well, I'm at events. I you know,
it's so funny, you know, networking at these events. I'm
meeting these celebs in person, or I'm meeting a potential
interview subject. I've pulled in certain exclusives networking at these events.
(41:01):
So it's all work. What that looks like. Okay, you're
in a ball gowny, you're walking down a carpet and
getting your photo professionally taken. That's for my brand. That's work,
or it's work when you're at different activations. That's for
various brands. That's for me to get those exclusive opportunities
(41:23):
and stories which will benefit me and benefit the brand.
So I just I just want people to really think
through what they're seeing on Instagram and know that I work.
Getting twisted.
Speaker 3 (41:38):
I like that.
Speaker 2 (41:38):
Well, that's a beautiful way to end, is that we
want to confirm that Dominique works. Okay, if you did
not pick up anything else from everything that she shared,
if you didn't get the clues that would let you know,
we're just gonna outright tell you she works.
Speaker 3 (41:58):
She works, She hustles for it.
Speaker 2 (42:00):
She makes the connections, she's in the right places at
the right time, she takes the opportunities all the things,
and you obviously get it done. And thank you for
spending time with us today and sharing with us a
little insight into your world and how you work and
why you work and just sharing your beautiful experiences with us.
(42:20):
Appreciate you for spending his time with us. Thank you
so much for the opportunity. It's a pleasure. And you
all if you need to find out more about Dominique
in her work, where should they go. It's so funny
because when I first came out, it was work Dominique.
Speaker 3 (42:37):
Yes, I remember that.
Speaker 4 (42:38):
That's a through line. You can find me on Instagram
at Dominique B Slooper and yeah and on LinkedIn at
Dominique b Booker.
Speaker 3 (42:51):
Amazing.
Speaker 2 (42:53):
Thank you all so much for spending time with us today.
Thank you for lending us your ear. I hope that
you've had a great, in inspiring experience with Dominique and
listening to her story. Thank you so much for spending
time with me and my guest today. I always appreciate
your presence. Your presence is a present to me. But
(43:14):
you know what would be a bigger present if you
shared this episode with somebody.
Speaker 3 (43:19):
I'd greatly appreciate it, and.
Speaker 2 (43:22):
I guess I will catch up with you on our
next episode. Make sure that you are just going out
into this world and holding your head high, being the
best version of yourself, and being confident in everything that
you do, even when you don't always feel so confident.
(43:42):
I'm rooting for you, and I hope you know that.
So be well, be good, and I will chat with.
Speaker 4 (43:49):
You next time.
Speaker 2 (43:53):
This podcast is produced by Mazie Media. Maze Media as
a woman led podcast production company that works with small
businesses and corporations. Visit mazimedia dot com for more details
on how you and your organization can go from ideation
to podcasting
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