Inspiring Lives with " Adiagha Faizah & Shea Meminger"
Written by :Samantha Cee
Interview By: Editor in Cheif , Pilar Scratch
This month as official advertiser of Fashion Gxd Magazine We caught up with the amazing Radio Show "The G.O.O.DLife On-line Radio Show " created by two amazing , good spirited Brooklynites Adiagha and Shea. The two inspiring woman are defiantly a dynamic duo & a force to be reckoned with. Commencing their Radio Show a year ago the two phenomenal woman are defiantly converting into inspiring Moguls ...Here's a look at Visionary Founder & Co-host, Adiagha Faizah|Co-host, Shea Meminger ,on their journey to success
http://blogtalkradio.com/GoOpenOtherDoors
Twitter: @ DoGoodGoGetters Instagram @Go_Open_Other_Doors Facebook : GoOpenOtherDoors
Avialable for Interview : GoOpenOtherDoors@hotmail.com
Do-G.O.O.Ders are Go Getters!
Image provided by The Pink Pamper Expo 2015
Fashion Gxd Magazine : Tell us about The G.O.O.DLife Online Radio Show how did you get started?
Adiagha: The G.O.O.DLife started as a seed of an idea I had at 2am in the morning approximately one year ago. Ever had an experience of being unable to sleep because your mind won't turn off? I was asking myself hard questions: What meaning have I attributed to the events that have occurred in my life? Do I view these events as grace or as a loss? Am I responding to life with a sense of expectancy or am I merely passing time? Simply put ..am I thriving or simply surviving? I made a decision that I wanted to be a fully present and active participant in my own life, that I desired to partner with others who had that same zest and wanted to inspire others across the world to do the same. I called up the one person who I could vent to about all of these things. The world now knows her as my co-host Shea! Every Wednesday at 8pm on blogtalkradio.com we continue that 2am conversation and invite our listening audience (affectionately known as our Do-G.O.O.Ders) to join in!
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What does the brand represent?
Adiagha: The G.O.O.DLife is not only an online radio show, but a lifestyle brand - a movement! G.O.O.D stands for Go Open Other Doors. The G.O.O.DLife promotes a commitment to a lifestyle of resourcefulness. We celebrate risk takers, go getters - Individuals who find a way against all odds to achieve their dreams. Our lifestyle brand represents being resourceful, resilient and paying it forward. As you go open other doors for yourself, remember to hold it open for someone else.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How did you decide to collaborate together? What ignited the spark in you to start an entrepreneur venture or to pursue your career?
Shea: It really happened organically. What you hear on our show is how all of our conversations have developed. We noticed that wherever we went, we would have an audience; someone eavesdropping on our conversations- even chiming in! We realized that people wanted to hear what we had to say and we needed a platform to express our opinions.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How did you create the name of the show ?
Adiagha: We are Brooklynites so we typically check in with each other's day by asking, "What's Good?". All things "G.O.O.D" just naturally became our signature.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How does The G.O.O.DLife define success as a journalist ?
Shea: The G.O.O.DLife is all about being resourceful; turning what seems to be a roadblock or deterrent into an opportunity. We discovered that life is all about the remix. Remix your dilemma and make it work in your favor! Isn't that what success is all about?
Adiagha: I came to understand very early on in this journey that once you are clear on who you are in this world, people will support you. The one thing that makes you "awkward" or "different" may be the game changer for your life and your business. Once you fully embrace who you are unapologetically, your audience will appear.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What is your favorite aspect of being an online radio personality?
Adiagha: Where do I start?! Due to our empowerment content and global platform, we are afforded the opportunity to host events, participate in panel discussions/workshops and speaking engagements that support those initiatives. Awesome women like Velvette Mattison- Baston and Nerissa Solomon-Malloy gave us our first opportunity by entrusting us to host their 2nd Annual Pink Pamper Expo at the historic Carriage House Center in NYC as media partners for their event. This set the tone and pace for what we could accomplish as new hosts. Our platform also enables us to assist a range of business entities, brands, artists and entrepreneurs expand their reach. Our audience reach is limitless! I enjoy the fact that anyone across the globe can tap into our energy. For one hour per day, they can listen in as well as participate in our discussion. As radio personalities you sort of get adopted into this family/fraternity of sorts. The camaraderie is amazing! We have experienced a plethora of support and useful tips from other hosts on technological tools and marketing strategies that can benefit our business.
The G.O.O.DLife Official Logo
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What was the single most important decision you made that contributed to the success of The G.O.O.DLife Online Radio Show ?
Shea: The decision to be transparent. As hosts we share our personal lived experiences on the show- highs and lows- so we feel it has helped people to really connect with us. We aren't scripted or pretentious; we're just being ourselves.
Adiagha: Our most important decision was definitely our willingness to admit that we do not have all of the answers! As it turns out, people more readily connect with flawed individuals and respond favorably to those who are open and honest about it.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What makes your Online Show diverse?
Shea: We talk about EVERYTHING- from hair "shaming", to politics, to creating a profile on online dating sites. We bring our cocktail hour and train commute conversations to you and invite you to join in on the banter.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful Radio Personality ?
Adiagha: (1) Networking Skills - This is where the foundation for your brand is laid. Being on air is the fun part. However, most of the hard work happens off the air. Outside of today's social media, you must step out of your shell and actively build relationships beyond simple key strokes. Speak to people. Introduce yourself. Take interest in others. Developing and nurturing key relationships within the industry will have lasting dividends. People tend to remember how you made them feel when you were in their presence, rather than your resume.
(2) A great sense of timing and flow. It is akin to a dance. Shea and I are quite quick on our feet with responding to each other's idiosyncrasies on air. We have a keen sense of "where the funny is" and are able to skillfully bob and weave in and out from one topic to the next while creatively connecting them all into one interesting hour long conversation that will keep an audience tuned in for the full time.
(3) You actually need to have a personality! No one is better at being you than YOU!
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
Shea: There are way too many to name! I can say that our challenges have taught us that it's only a failure when you quit; so wipe your tears, dust your self off and get back at it.
Adiagha: As two women of color building a show and lifestyle brand, it is imperative that we encourage each other to persevere.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful Radio Host / journalist?
Adiagha: I think those who were successful particularly on radio were those who didn't follow a formula or pattern. They were bold with their choices and had an understanding that they themselves were the product.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : To what do you most attribute your success?
Adiagha: Prayer, mediation, family and friends. It is imperative that you have a support system in place when you are embarking on a new journey. You will get weary. Along your journey you will feel as if your endeavor is moving at a slow pace. You will question if anyone cares about the product or business that you are developing. But then there are moments that refuel you along the way. For example, we started a Kickstarter campaign to raise 5K for our production costs prior to our debut show. We had a time duration of one month to do it. We were down to the last day of the campaign and only had approx. 3 more hours to reach our funding goal. In the very final hour we received 3K. We did it! God is amazing! Served as confirmation to keep going!
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What would say are the five key elements for being a successful journalist?
Shea: Creativity, positivity, persistence, a genuiune love for what you're doing and a clear understanding of how your voice can truly impact someone's life.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
Shea: I would speak to Ella Josephine Baker, a civil rights leader. I would want to ask her how she inspired youth to raise their voices for change in such a turbulent time.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : . Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Adiagha: My mother and my grandmother are my heroes. As a child I watched my grandmother make beautiful things from scratch with her hands - impeccably tailored apparel, drapes and meals. She did it with such skill and ease. My grandmother was enrolled at NYU while raising two children back in the 60's. My grandmother was the first woman I saw use a computer back when it was in MS DOS code. I watched her run a division at Kings County Hospital with staff and people reporting to her on a daily basis. My mother bought her first home before she turned 25. An avid word smith she gave me an appreciation for the spoken word and knowledge. She ensured that I respected my culture and stocked my childhood library with books about the african diaspora and our home with african art. I learned how to pray and to have hope from these two women. I learned that after you pray, you must get up off your knees and do the work.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What book has inspired you the most?
Shea: The Shack by William P. Young. It tries to answer the age old question Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain? The answer essentially is within all of us- we all have the ability to show grace, forgiveness and love towards others; only we have to not decide who is and isn't worthy of those gifts.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What motivates the brand to continue in complex times?
Shea: We know that we have a voice that will inspire and motivate others. Everyone has rough times and situations where times look bleak. However, we want to encourage people to look at those times from a different perspective and realize there are other ways, other doors that can be opened to achieve success.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What three pieces of advice would you give to individuals wishing to get into journalism ?
Adiagha: Trust in your intuition. Have a point of view. Don't despise small beginnings.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : In your opinion , what is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Shea: Consistency is key. Always staying the course no matter what the hype of the day says. Fads come and go. Real conversation and real personalities are what people will trust.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : If you could have given yourself a piece of knowledge or advice when you started what would that be? Which opportunities should you have followed? What pitfalls would you have avoided?
Shea: Just do it! Don't get caught up in the hypothetical "What if's". Things will happen as they are intended to and the support and resources will make themselves available. We're still learning and growing, but the best decision we've made so far was to step out and give this a shot.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : As inspirational rising moguls in the entertainment industry what do each of you wish to accomplish with your elevating platform?
Shea: Raise awareness of youth advocacy and opportunities for mentorship. To inspire all ages to never give up on their dreams and ideas.
Adiagha: I would love to improve sisterly relations. As women, we are our best allies. Your sister is your resource.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : Lastly, what is an Inspiring Woman to you?
Shea: A woman who is always open to new ideas and experiences, open to love and being loving. A woman who is never too scared to try do something big, beautiful and impossible.
Adiagha: True to our brand, an inspiring woman is a Go Getter!
