Meet Nikki Hedrick | Photography & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikki Hedrick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikki, how does your business help the community?
I hope that 850ME impacts others, that was part of the reasoning to start the brand in 2011: To be an avenue to connect fans to music and what they love. To showcase the types of art, theatre, and local events that dot the emerald coast of Florida.

I’m looking forward to trying new ways to expand on what we’ve created with the 850me.com website and social media presence. 2021 will have us officially adding new writers to the mix, which I’m so excited about the impact that will have.

But for musicians – that blurb, article, interview or review is a great piece to include in their press kit. Every piece of information that helps round out an artist’s press kit makes them more desirable to tours, venues, and bigger publications.

It is my deepest hope that we have helped those around us in creative fields – and we hope to expand on that with each passing year.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
850ME is a local media company that focuses on promoting local events and artists. We want to create an environment and platform that helps everyone’s growth.

I am most proud of the impact and positive name we’ve created for ourselves through organic means. We are the little guy out there – but we try to be an asset for others on their creative journeys.

The next couple of years will be a period of growth with new services offered with reasonable price points to help others reach their goals.

It has been a complete labor of love to build to this point – but it has given me so many new skillsets and lifelong friendships that I wouldn’t do it any differently.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This region of Florida isn’t called the Emerald Coast for nothin’. Beach time would be a must, along with some sightseeing at Fort Pickens in Pensacola and Eden State Part in Santa Rosa Beach.

There are so many terrific restaurants in the area but I’m partial to Taste of Jerusalem in Pensacola and Angelina’s in Santa Rosa Beach. We’d swing by 30A Songwriter Radio Music & Coffee for their terrific coffee and company.

For nightlife, we’d go to Club LA and catch a concert or see where local music was happening. There is always music somewhere, which is something I so love about this area.

We might catch a play at Emerald Coast Theatre Company or walk around the small communities of 30a and do some souvenir shopping.

And maybe close up one evening doing a photo session with Edward A. McGrath Photography.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have been so fortunate to have so many guiding voices excited about what 850ME is and can be.

It began with my mom and I – and she remains that touch point and voice of enthusiasm. Without her the brand would not exist.

For a long while I was a part of an in-print publication called The Beachcomber. Editor Chris Manson emailed me out of the blue and invited me to be part of it. That was a terrific journey that gave me so much confidence in my writing ability and interviewing celebrities and touring musicians.

And now it’s my husband. He believes in the brand and is so excited for its growth. He is willing to invest the time and energy that it takes to keep something like 850ME going even when we are working constantly with our photography business.

Website: https://850me.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/850musicentertainment/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/850ME

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/850me