Meet C. Alexandra | Media Personality, Multi-Creative, and Entrepreneur

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

Hi C., how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My work-life balance has changed tremendously from when I first started in the media industry in 2016. Working as an intern at Radio 2 Atlanta before graduating college, I was unsure of what to expect and what job opportunities would come my way. At the time I felt very prepared by my mentors, but when I received my first internship post-college, I received a crash course in the media and entertainment business.

They say that to truly learn something, you have to experience it and it’s true because some of my best learning experiences in the industry happened after college. I have interned with a multitude of different media companies, such as Rolling Out Magazine, Makin’ It Magazine, Magazine Muzic, Rap Plug, MeetTheUnderDogs, AllHipHop, DirtySouthHipHop, and even was a brand ambassador for BET+. I personally interned under DJ Romeo International for his media brand “Remixx”, and Krystal Lee of Praise 102.5, for her brand GirlPlusGod. I also had the opportunity of interning with some of the best PR companies, like Topps PR Firm, The P Agency, and the GGCI Global Agency.

Pashae Williams, Ashlyn Walker, Romeo International, and Krystal Lee were the mentors who really gave me the courage to start my own business. Although it did not happen overnight, I finally got the courage in December of 2018 to launch my agency which is now called Chelsea Alexandra Agency and Company LLC; also known as C.A Agency & Co.

Although in 2019, I felt a major shift happen in my media career. I felt discouraged, and opportunities didn’t seem to be flowing as quickly both as a journalist and a publicist, so I began to develop this unhealthy way of working around the clock. I quit my day job and began working about 12-14 hours a day at least six times out of the week all while trying to balance an internship. Sending out proposals, emails for clients, and working on EPKs as well as flyers, press releases, and branding for different companies. To be honest I was spreading myself too thin, and not working smart. At the time I was determined to make a name for myself in the media and entertainment industry, so I knew I had to work hard. In return, I tried to do it all by myself and found myself burnt out.

Here’s a quick tip, if you want to burn bridges with others, try to take on a million things at once. Without going into too much detail, it is simply not possible. You need a team, you need a plan, and you have to keep learning your craft. I had to learn the hard way, but I hope whoever is reading this can learn before taking the wrong steps.

Now although 2019, was a good year on social media, it was probably one of the hardest years of my life to navigate. I basically got a taste of the real world, and there was no turning back. I tried to blame everyone and almost lost my passion for the entire media business itself. I felt overlooked, disrespected, inexperienced, and overwhelmed. If you want to get super detailed, I was barely making any money at all. I’m unashamed to say it because today, I have bounced back tremendously financially, spiritually, and mentally by taking control of my life. I could point fingers at who did what, but at the end of the day, I grew from every experience that I dealt with. I had to realize no one was perfect, including me and business is never personal. Overall, I’m stronger today and smarter because of it.

In 2020, I finally gained the courage to start again when the world seemed to be flipped upside down and plagued with a virus. I started to form a team around me and started to gain a new perspective, and I decided to start my second company, “C” TheMedia-TV. This is when the word “balance” really set in, and I owe a huge thank you to my manager and friend, Diamond Alessandra, my client and friend, Lee Adrian, my fellow media boss and friend, David Duane, and my photographer and friend, Shirlita “Precious” Boone. Little do they know, they all have helped me regain courage and re-discover who I was.

This is why I stress the importance of a team. People to bounce ideas off of, people to encourage you when you want to give up, people who will help put you into opportunities you didn’t see coming, and people who will help you see yourself in a whole new way. In return, I’m there to be a teammate as well.

Balance to me is no longer working around the clock, balance to me is setting achievable goals every day and making time for God and yourself. We were not put on this earth to just work or even just to help ourselves. We were put on this earth for our God-given “purpose”, and to help others find theirs. You never know the role you play in someone’s life and you never know the role you play in theirs, so be kind, be helpful, and show love. Check on your strong friends and remind them to slow down and make time for themselves. If your inner-being isn’t healthy it will show on the surface and in the quality of your work. There should be a balance of making time for God, loving on yourself, and loving on others, Balance is now the word I live by, some days will be better than others but having a daily routine and checking on my loved ones truly keeps me going.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As an entertainment media on-camera host, entrepreneur, published model, and multi-creative I’m quite versatile in the media and entertainment industry, but I believe I connect the best with musical artists and creatives because I’m an artist at heart. I was taught to play both the piano and violin early in life, danced for 10 years, and went on to write and compose music in my spare time. I believe having these skills has really given me an ear for music and an eye for talent, which has helped me become well versed in my craft. I believe this is what sets me apart from others in my field. I think right now though, I’m most proud of the second season of my media platform “C” TheMedia-TV, my most recent accomplishment of walking the runway at New York Fashion Week and being published in HiTechMODA’s international magazine, all thanks to my agency I Am Style Agency (IASA), and staying in good academic status in my graduate classes at Mercer University all while balancing my media and entertainment career.

On the contrary, I would say a big challenge for me is actually being too versatile in this industry. It definitely comes with its plusses and minuses because when it comes to marketing I have to be very strategic with every project I put out to not confuse my audience

Fast forward, getting where I am today was not easy at all, I felt overlooked most of my life and had to constantly prove myself due to my shy nature, which is why I probably work so hard today. After college, I thought I had to recreate my image to be noticed, but all along I was just returning back to who I was all along. I’ve had several setbacks, I’ve dealt with moments of anxiety and mild-depression, and there were several moments I wanted to give up. I had to learn to love myself again and believe in myself. Even today, there are days I wish I was receiving more support than I was, but I have to realize it’s a process and I’m thankful for those who constantly show me, love and support. I really believe I started to see the biggest changes in myself when I formed a team around me, they truly helped me get back to myself, which leads me to one of the biggest lessons I learned. You simply can’t do it alone, so if someone is trying to help you allow them.

I want people to understand, I’ve worked very hard for every accomplishment I’ve made so far, and nothing I’ve done has come easy. I give it all to God. What truly sets me apart is I’m not just a journalist, model, actress, dancer, entrepreneur, or artist, I’m a businesswoman and a creative. I’m always professional and I get the job done. I’m tenacious, diligent, and I work smart. Before the media world, I worked in sales and I believe that has helped me tremendously navigate this fast-paced and cutthroat industry. I’ve learned to leave your feelings at home and find your support group; the people that love you for you. I’ve also learned it’s way bigger than myself!

All three of my brands, C. Alexandra, C. A Agency & Co., and “C” TheMedia are all different yet they all operate the same. Each brand has a strong presence, yet a humble demeanor. We let the results talk but we know success is a team effort. When you see the letter “C” in each brand, think of the words creative, captivating, and courageous.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was in town, I would say Ponce City Market is the place to be. That area is always light and fun. You can shop, eat, and they even have a trail you can walk or ride a bike on to see the city skyline. Now if it was a week-long trip, we would definitely have to go to BQE or Fin & Feathers near Edgewood for all the “brunch” vibes. I would probably also take them to my favorite mall, Phipps Plaza. As far as the lounges, we would definitely have to go to Encore Hookah Bar & Bistro, it’s a laid-back lounge but the vibe is always the same.

Although I think the most exciting place I visited so far in Atlanta would be the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, Cascade, and the Zoo Atlanta. The museums and historical places are a must-see too!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As stated before, I owe a huge thank you to all my mentors and the people I’ve worked with along the way, but I want to give a major shoutout to Rhodell Lewis, Aretha Cleveland, Romeo International, Ms. G, Krystal Lee, Leslie Topps, Pashae Williams, Ashlyn Walker, Shadi Powers, Shirlita “Precious” Boone, Lee Adrian, Diamond Alessandra, Will Akouko, and David Duane.

You all are incredible in what you do and I wish you a world of blessings and success! Thank you for everything.

Website: www.iamcalexandra.com

Instagram: @iamcalexandra/@cthemediatv

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseaalexandra

Twitter: @iamcalexandra/@cthemediatv

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/londonmarie03

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrTqrRoW77dr2FUPs1ioKhA

Image Credits
Getty Images DopeShotsByPrecious Revon Harris Retonjah Burdette