The Entourage Podcast

During this episode, we step out from behind the interview chair to offer quick business tips to creatives relative to our individual areas of expertise. Each of us have unique experiences both in business and the entertainment industry.

• Vannesia Darby is an experienced, results-driven digital marketing consultant who has launched successful online campaigns for major brands such as Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and the YMCA. A dynamic public speaker and writer, she helps others pursue their passions while creating a vibrant culture of success.
• Randy has been a freelance publicist for over a decade and provides full service PR for his clients. His clients have been featured in Elle, Billboard, The Source, The Huffington Post, and more.
• Javi started as an executive assistant to an independent artist and grew to become and artist manager after receiving his degree in audio production and engineering. He develops artists by offering services such as management, branding, and show production.

Who this episode is for: independent artists, small business owners, freelancers

During this episode, we share:

• The importance of legal documentation
• How proper banking sets you up for success as a freelancer or business owner
• The power of having direction
• How to protect and prevent and why it's important to your career

Mentioned in this episode:

• GUIDE: Overview of Business Structure Types: sba.gov/business-guide

• Mentioned on episode: Sole Proprietorship, LLC, Corporation

• GUIDE: Business banking account: sba.gov/business-guide
• VIDEO: Self Employment Taxes, Insurance, and Bank Accounts -- Oh My!
• BLOG: Vannesia's blogs about professionalism, small business, and marketing
• FEATURE: Randy's placement in Oprah Magazine with client Kiara Imani Williams
• • Beyoncé and Brené Brown Inspired This Lawyer to Kick Off the #BeforeILetGo Challenge

• Vannesia Darby on Instagram: @vannesiadarby
• Vannesia Darby on Twitter: @vannesiadarby
• Randy C Bonds on Instagram: @randycbonds
• Randy C Bonds on Twitter: @randycbonds
• Javi Artist Management on Instagram: @javiartistmanagement
• The Entourage Podcast on Instagram: @theentouragepodcast #TheEntouragePodcast
• The Entourage Podcast on Facebook: The Entourage Podcast #TheEntouragePodcast

Intro/Outro Music:

"Waiting IV" by Celeste Betton

• Link to album: http://bit.ly/celeste-betton-entourage
• Instagram: @celestebetton
• Facebook: Celeste Betton

We're continuing with our interview with award winning Gospel Radio Promoter and Entrepreneur, Eboni Funderburk. Be sure to listen to Part 1! Eboni has worked over two decades in the Gospel music industry and is the founder of EFG Promotions + Consulting in 2008 where she provides full service promotions services for both label touting and independent artists. In this episode, Eboni shares practical tips that all independent artists and aspiring music business personnel need to know.

Who this episode is for: aspiring artists and music industry personnel (i.e. singers, producers, musicians, artist managers)

During this episode, Eboni shares:

• How to garner hometown support as an independent artist
• The role of core members every artist must need on their team
• Costs associated with being an artist and what to look out for in your budget
• Why it's important to get industry executives (not your friends) to critique your work before you distribute it and how to do it
• The reason why "It all starts with a song"

Mentioned in this episode:

• PD/MD: (Program Directors and Music Directors) In radio or television, a program director or director of programming is the person who develops or selects some or all of the content that will be broadcast. Music Directors also work to influence and select songs for airplay (source: wikipedia)
• The Pew Report: (The Pew Research Center) Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. We conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research. (source: pewresearch.org)
• Gospel Music Industry Roundup by Lisa Collins: Magazine database of all Gospel industry events, conferences, radio stations, producers, etc. (available at: gospelroundup.com
• Glamazon Moms: Glamazon Moms is an online community of moms striving to be fierce, fabulous, and focused on career, family and most importantly faith. This group was founded by Eboni Funderburk

• Eboni Funderburk on Instagram: @theglamazonmom
• Glamazon Moms on Instagram: instagram.com/glamazonmoms
• Eboni on Facebook: facebook.com/TheGlamazonMom
• Glamazon Moms on Facebook: facebook.com/GLAMAZONMOMS/
• The Entourage Podcast on Instagram: @theentouragepodcast #TheEntouragePodcast
• The Entourage Podcast on Facebook: The Entourage Podcast #TheEntouragePodcast

Intro/Outro Music:

"Waiting IV" by Celeste Betton

• Link to album: http://bit.ly/celeste-betton-entourage
• Instagram: @celestebetton
• Facebook: Celeste Betton

Under the spotlight today we get to spend time with award winning Gospel Radio Promoter and Entrepreneur, Eboni Funderburk. Two decades working with Gospel mega stars such as Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful, Hezekiah Walker, Kierra Sheard and others has proved Eboni's staying power is nothing short of amazing...and her phone doesn't stop ringing. After departing from her role as Senior Director of National Promotions at the nation's top gospel label (Zomba/Verity/Sony), Eboni launched EFG Promotions + Consulting in 2008 where she provides full service promotions services for both label touting and independent artists. Eboni shares the faith and integrity that one must have to stay in demand and further their career.

Who this episode is for: aspiring artists and music industry personnel (i.e. singers, producers, musicians, artist managers)

During this episode, Eboni shares:

• What can happen when faith drives your decisions
• The peaks and valleys of leaving a steady paycheck
• How loyalty and honesty led to working with one client for nearly a decade
• How adding a promoter to your team can elevate to your budding career as an artist
• The reason you must check your motives as an artist

Mentioned in this episode:

• Payola: Payola, in the music industry, is the illegal practice of payment or other inducement by record companies for the broadcast of recordings on commercial radio in which the song is presented as being part of the normal day's broadcast, without announcing that there has been consideration paid in cash or in kind for its airplay adjacent to the recording's broadcast (source: wikipedia)
• Street Day / Street Week: The day and or week a single or album becomes available for purchase/streaming in store or online. "Street week" is also the week that counts towards the first week sales of an album/single.
• Glamazon Moms: Glamazon Moms is an online community of moms striving to be fierce, fabulous, and focused on career, family and most importantly faith. This group was founded by Eboni Funderburk

• Eboni Funderburk on Instagram: @theglamazonmom
• Glamazon Moms on Instagram: instagram.com/glamazonmoms
• Eboni on Facebook: facebook.com/TheGlamazonMom
• Glamazon Moms on Facebook: facebook.com/GLAMAZONMOMS/
• The Entourage Podcast on Instagram: @theentouragepodcast #TheEntouragePodcast
• The Entourage Podcast on Facebook: The Entourage Podcast #TheEntouragePodcast

Intro/Outro Music:

"Waiting IV" by Celeste Betton

• Link to album: http://bit.ly/celeste-betton-entourage
• Instagram: @celestebetton
• Facebook: Celeste Betton

Under the spotlight today, we have actor and filmmaker, Denzel Whitaker. From starting as a child actor at the age of 10 to opening his own entertainment business, Denzel shares how versatility can keep you booked and busy in the industry. Appearing in movies such as The Great Debaters, Training Day, and Black Panther has shaped his unique perspective to the responsibility and potential everyone has as a Creative. Whether producing your own digital content or trying to break into Film and TV in Hollywood, Denzel shares the mentality one must have and the truth behind the balance of the talents.

Who this episode is for: creatives (i.e. actors, singers, producers, choreographers, rappers musicians, etc.)

During this episode, Denzel shares:

• Why dropping out of college was necessary for his acting career
• How versatility can keep you booked in the entertainment industry
• How to balance your own creative works while helping others
• The role of Black America in shattering cultural norms in the entertainment industry
• The brilliance of the Black Panther Movie, Marvel, and the late Stan Lee

Mentioned in this episode:

• Blackmouf Entertainment: https://www.blackmouf.com/
• Aesop's Fables: amazon
• Luvvie Ajai: luvvie.org
• Yvonne Oriji: instagram.com/yvonneorji
• Issa Rae: issarae.com

Social media:

• Denzel on Instagram: @blackmouf
• Denzel on Facebook: Denzel Whitaker
• The Entourage Podcast on Instagram: @theentouragepodcast
• The Entourage Podcast on Facebook: The Entourage Podcast
• #TheEntouragePodcast

Intro/Outro Music:

"Waiting IV" by Celeste Betton

• Link to album: http://bit.ly/celeste-betton-entourage
• Instagram: @celestebetton
• Facebook: Celeste Betton