Kimberly Holifield instructions consideration in each room she enters, leveraging her distinctive abilities as a premier occasion strategist and magnetic on-air character. With razor-sharp enterprise acumen and infectious power, she has remodeled Glamlife Occasions & Events from an area Minneapolis enterprise right into a bicoastal powerhouse. She orchestrates unforgettable experiences for business giants, together with Essence Journal and US Financial institution, whereas concurrently charming radio audiences along with her distinctive voice and genuine connection.
The entrepreneurial powerhouse refuses to be contained by standard boundaries. Holifiled strategically expands her occasion empire into Atlanta’s aggressive market whereas dominating the airwaves because the artistic drive behind “Again within the Day with Glamlife Kim” and as a dynamic co-host of “2 Beauties and the Fox.”
Hollifield not too long ago spoke to rolling out about her enterprise ventures.
How did you turn into a radio character?
I left Minnesota and went to Atlanta to increase into that area. I returned as a result of my youngster was making music, and I had many extra music connections right here in Minnesota. I at all times did these voiceovers for considered one of my pals with the audio and video firm Vizion. KMOJ didn’t have a noon host as a result of the individual left the corporate. The final supervisor was making an attempt to fill that place, and he heard a radio advert I recorded for a automobile lot and mentioned, whose voice is that? He tracked down all people on the station to search out out whose advert that was and which underwriter did that advert. He had her contact me, and I began the following day.
As a veteran radio character at KMOJ with greater than a decade of expertise, how has the Twin Cities radio panorama developed throughout your tenure?
It has developed rather a lot, particularly since COVID. COVID modified the sport for radio, and pre-recording was the factor, particularly for syndicated reveals. It opened the door for individuals to not need to be within the studio and be capable to document from residence or wherever. In order that’s a sport changer. It modifications issues since you don’t need to be private. However then we even have social media. Social media picks up for a little bit of that as a result of we will now interact with individuals. I get individuals who at all times contact me, and I used to be studying a message at this time from somebody on Instagram. Who was like, you modify lives. I used to be simply shocked to listen to that message. It was very inspiring.
What impressed you to launch Glamlife Occasions & Events?
So, it’s so humorous as a result of Glamlife got here first. My occasion administration firm has been round because the 90s. Rising up in Chicago, Illinois, I did all people’s hair and events, so after I moved to Minneapolis, I constructed my community right here. I had legends like, might he relaxation in peace, Andre “Debonaire” McNeal, considered one of my mentors who helped me get on this sport with all the things from nightlife, company occasions, promotions, and live shows. In August of 2007, I registered Glamlife as an organization. My sister mentioned, “Why don’t you flip this ardour right into a profession?” In 2011, I jumped out on a leap of religion, and I left company America, and I’ve been simply doing Glamlife.
How do you stability the tasks of an on-air character and a CEO?
It’s nonetheless a piece in progress. Simply making an attempt to stability that, your well being, your loved ones, and a few me time and self-care is rather a lot. I’ve an important group proper now with Glamlife that I’m simply persevering with to construct, and now I can put extra on to them; my proper hand, Ivy Elliott, has stepped as much as the plate and grown into an important person who I can rely on to deal with issues after I’m not on the town or after I’m doing radio work and in order that has been a blessing for me.
What has been your most memorable interview or on-air second throughout your time at KMOJ?
I might say Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. I’ve interviewed many individuals, together with Invoice Bellamy, Marsha Ambrosius, and lots of extra. However Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis left me starstruck. They’re legends, giants, and representatives of Minnesota. They put Minnesota on the map.
Are you able to describe your method to creating memorable experiences by means of Glamlife Occasions?
I satisfaction myself on making certain that none of my occasions appears to be like the identical. Generally, it’s onerous as a result of anyone will see an image of one thing I did and ask, “Are you able to do that for me?” I’m like, “I don’t wish to do it precisely prefer it, however I might do one thing comparable.”
Are you able to describe a very memorable occasion that Glamlife orchestrated and what made it particular?
I’ve a consumer whose granddaughter could be very introverted and infrequently speaks. They have been planning a candy 16 get together for her. I did a photoshoot for her, and it bought her very excited. Once I gave her a mock of her get together, she was very excited, and he or she stepped out of her shell and made a grand entrance at her get together.
What challenges have you ever confronted as a lady entrepreneur within the occasions business?
As a Black girl, typically I really feel like being in a metropolis will be cliquey. I like the saying that “it’s not who you understand; it’s who is aware of you.” So, I haven’t confronted many challenges due to the thrill round my identify and firm. It’s been onerous to faucet into explicit kinds of occasions as a result of I’m not a White girl or man. Generally, individuals don’t take you critically.
What recommendation would you give younger broadcasters seeking to diversify their profession paths?
You are able to do it. I’m at all times open and out there for mentoring; mentorship is important. Ask questions, go to the radio stations, and construct relationships.
Trying forward, what are your imaginative and prescient and objectives for each your radio presence and Glamlife Occasions?
I would like GlamlIfe to be a family identify and model identify. I wish to construct groups in all 50 states and globally. With the radio, the objective is to be syndicated in as many states as potential.
What’s subsequent for you?
Two Beauties and the Fox is one other radio present slash podcast that I’m doing with Pep Discuss Tay and Rob Malloy, your favourite Silver Fox. Additionally, Pep Discuss Tay and I are engaged on a docuseries known as “Woman You Did That.” It’s spotlighting wonderful ladies. On July 18th, Star Standing Leisure and Glamlife Occasions are bringing the “Lovers and Legends” live performance with Donnell Jones, KeKe Wyatt, and Carl Thomas to the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis.