Today we’d like to introduce you to Toni Hayes.
Hi Toni, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
In late 2019, I left a 16-year career with the City of Memphis and went into business for myself full-time. I created a hair care line and a marketing and business development company. Then the pandemic hit in 2020 and like so many others… I didn’t know what to do and it had been a rough year for everyone. So a friend called me and asked if I was interested in creating a podcast. I thought it would be a great way to “release” a little stress. It was fun those couple of months and the show did well.
So I started thinking…”I can create & produce MORE shows!” That’s how One Eighteen Media LLC started. In the past year and a half, One Eighteen Media has created 8 podcasts show that have been published and I have 6 new shows in pre-production that will release this Spring. My company has also moved into executive producing for other podcast creators.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think every business has its challenges. The biggest struggle for me is trying to find talent & co-hosts that are “the right fit” for the shows I create.
I am BIG on the concept of “team players” that fit the vision for the company as a “whole” and not individual agendas. Sometimes I have to step back and revise, remix, or even “shelf” a show because I need it to work in a way that fits the vision of the show and my company.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
One Eighteen Media LLC is an audio & visual podcast production company. I am proud to say we are currently the only female minority-owned media company that focuses on podcast production here in Memphis, TN and I love the growth and direction that we are moving into with adding products and services.
Outside of the podcasts that are created under the One Eighteen Media umbrella, we also offer several audio commercial production and advertising services. One of these can be used within our podcasting shows that can give businesses a national audience within our show platforms. We also offer consulting, recording, or production services if you are interested in podcasting. And for our authors, we offer audio booking recordings.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I am a risk-taker in business. I always have been….lol. my first business was selling freeze cups to the kids in my neighborhood when I was 5 years old! The ice cream man didn’t run in my neighborhood and there were a lot of kids on my street so I took the money from my piggy bank and “invested” in my first business! In the past 30 years, I have tried several different businesses.
Each one has been a BIG risk because I have always funded all of my own pursuits and not all were successful. So you take a huge risk financially. But I continue to believe in what I am doing so I continue to invest in my business. As a business owner, every day you wake up and put your time, effort, skills, and money into YOUR idea…you are taking a chance. But if you never TRY….how will know if you can succeed? So for me….believe in yourself and take the risk.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.oneeighteenmedia.com
- Instagram: @oneeighteenmediallc
- Facebook: facebook.com/oneeighteenmediallc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonimhayesmemphis/
