Meet Dina Andrews | Founder/CEO of Dina Andrews Management, Inc.

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

Hi Dina, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As a business owner and entrepreneur, I believe that taking risk is fundamental to starting a business, doing business and staying in business. One can not be in business and not take risks. Anyone who invest in a business financially or sweat equity is taking a risk of some type. Starting a business does not guarantee that it is going to be successful…even if there is proven success by another business that conducts the same type of business. Though one may have the most thought out business plan, market research, and product or service, there are many variables that come in to play. As a very simple example, we can use those who take a risk on investing in the creative world. The creative may invest in themselves financially by buying equipment that they need to record their songs to release their material commercially. They may use all of their savings as marketing dollars to promote their product, or they may quit their stable job to tour. On the other hand, a company may invest financially in an artist to release what they feel is the next greatest record to date. The risk is that the general public may not feel the same, and time and money is lost on that particular project. With the belief that the company or artist did not invest as much as they should have in marketing, an unforeseen market interruption happened, or a myriad of other things may happen that causes the project to fail. Or things can go very well and the risk taken becomes a major win above all expectations. Either way it is a risk because the outcome is not guaranteed.

What should our readers know about your business?
At this point in life I feel that my decades of practical experience, wisdom, and maturity sets me apart from others. Though the business has changed in some aspects, it is still business and the same foundational things in business still apply.

I am proud that I have made it through a rough business and still stand tall with respect for my work. I am excited that I am still relevant, healthy, a creative business thinker, venturing into a new chapter in business, and can continue to help others in meaningful ways.

A lot of times we compartmentalize business from personal. For me our character and values can not be separated, because who you are at your core is what should be represented in all aspects of your life. I believe that using the excuse that “it’s just business” as a justification to hurt and exploit others in derogatory ways is terrible. For me, I feel that I am where I am because I try to be fair in business and life, and I have tried to operate in my foundational values of love, forgiveness, and faith for the most part. Sometimes I have to step out of that because some people do not understand that type of existence, which forces me to go to battle to fight for what rightfully belongs to me.

Working hard, being a life learner, continuing to take risk, getting up every time I fall, not taking no for an answer, and believing that I have not finished the work God created me for is a driving force.

I always say that I have had as many punches in the stomach as I have had successes. The entertainment business has given me some of the most incredible experiences of my life. I have lived a life that people dream of, traveled the world, and worked with some of the most gifted executives and artists in the world as an entertainment business executive. I have been blessed to be a part of history on so many levels, and am forever grateful for that. At the same time, during the course of the glorious days, I have experienced terrible things that I can barely articulate. I have overcome by forgiving, agape love, telling myself that when others are in survival mode they don’t always think about the people on the other end that are being hurt, and sometimes destroyed by others actions.

My brand has been consistent with helping to advance the careers of others, making deals that generate generational income in perpetuity and fairness for my clients. I intend to fill in the gaps of my work and career through my legacy projects, that tell a more accurate story of my life’s work.

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.
I have not lived in Atlanta since 2015. During my 17 years there I enjoyed the plush beauty of the city. Outside of work, I enjoyed walking throughout mid-town, Buckhead, and Vinings. My favorite food spots in Atlanta are Cafe Intermezzo for desert, and Seasons 52 for dinner. I love breakfast spots, especially those that serve lox. You may find me in Buckhead, Vinings, or Smyrna having breakfast.

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?
First and foremost my mother and grandmother get the biggest Shoutout’s from me. Their love, guidance, demand for being the best I could be from an early age, and giving me support above and beyond any young woman could ask for is what allowed me to venture out into the world and explore life’s possibilities. Dick Griffey/Solar Records gave me my first professional job. He believed in me as a teenager, mentored me in many aspects of the Music business, and forced me into entrepreneurship. As well, I have had a family of friends, primarily my sister-friends that have been there for me outside of the entertainment business. There are many colleagues, too many to name on this platform that have helped me grow and understand not only the business, but myself. God almighty the author and finisher of my faith, gets all the glory for who I am and have become. There is a scripture that speaks of God’s calling on our life. Jeremiah 1:5 ““I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” As God proclaims this for Jeremiah, I believe it holds true for all of us if we are open to hear the voice of God, and walk in faith.

Website: www.DinaRuthAndrews.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dinaandrewsmgmt/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DinaRAndrews1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dina.andrewsmgmt/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Kz4vTxNOQ1xOHQmZoNmnw/videos

Other: The Black Godfather on Netflix Solar Records Unsung on TVOne

Image Credits
Dina Andrews at Premiere of the Black Godfather: Photo 1 – Alone Photo 2 – With collogue LA Reid. We worked together at Solar Records when he was a member of The Deele, and when he was CEO of LaFace Records when I was GM for Pebbitone, Inc. Photo 3 With colleague Nicole Avant/Clarence Avant’s daughter Dina Andrews at City Hall representing Los Angeles African-American Women’s Public Policy Institute Dina Andrews with Lalah Ali at City Hall Event/Leimert Park Book Festival