Her Story
About Damitra
I started my entrepreneurial journey at 18 when my mom gave me my first business. Over the years, I built a successful cleaning business that grew to 75 employees across 8 different states, which I ran for 23 years. In 2010, I decided to dissolve my businesses and go to college to formally learn graphic design, website building, film, and editing, even though I had been self-taught in many of these areas. I've been involved in media since the 90s with newspapers and magazines. In 2010, I launched Atlanta Ambition, an online magazine showcasing influential women in business in Atlanta. I then created a YouTube show called Hanging with Bee where I interviewed women in business, and one episode featuring a Chopped winner got significant attention. This led to me being offered one of the first 24-hour TV streaming networks before platforms like Hulu became mainstream. I became known as the 'indie mama' and 'streaming queen' because I gave independent filmmakers and artists a platform when A-list Hollywood dominated everything. I owned 20 TV channels during the pandemic and currently own 5 TV channels. I also hosted a celebrity talk show podcast called Ambition Radio for 5 years, which became Henry Widdini Radio Style, where I interviewed celebrities about how they became who they were rather than focusing on their celebrity status. I have 3 clothing lines, including Envision Apparel and Envision Pooch, both of which I've had for 13 years. After my husband was killed by a drunk driver 10 years ago, I started doing Uber as therapy, and the money I made from Uber allowed me to buy a store around the corner from SoFi Stadium in 2019. When I moved to California from Texas, I came with only $1,500, 3 suitcases, and my dog, and even spent 2 months on Skid Row while I got on my feet. During that time, I wrote over 100 TV shows at Panera Bread in Santa Monica. I've been a graphic designer for 30 years and a business consultant for 30 years. I now have a production company where I produce commercials for small businesses.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Damitra
01What do you attribute your success to?
I give all praise to my mom, who was my best friend and recently passed away unexpectedly last year. She was everything and always inspired me. She gave me my first business at 18 and always encouraged me. She put me in everything and exposed me to everything cultural. I could come to her about anything and say I want to do this or that, and she would always be supportive. She taught me that it's okay to fail, and that the more you fail, the more you learn from each failure so you can move on. She always told me that if I fail, at least I can check that off my box and know I tried. That's what I've always kind of ran with. I've also never kept bad circles around me and never let anyone get in my head and tell me what I'm not gonna do. Even when I moved to California with only $1,500, 3 suitcases, and my dog, and ended up on Skid Row for 2 months, I knew I wasn't going to stay there. I just told God to get me here and I'll figure it out, and that's what I've been doing.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received was from my mom, who taught me that it's okay to fail. She would tell me to just make sure I try everything, and that the more I fail, the more I learn from each failure so I can move on. She said if I fail, at least I can check that off my box and know I tried. She always encouraged me to be the best at whatever I chose to do, even if it was something as simple as picking up monkey poop - she'd say to be the best monkey pooper I could be.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You have to have supportive role models and support around you to continue in the entertainment industry, because it's a hard industry to be in. People don't realize what a hard industry it is, and you have to have thick skin and really believe in yourself to even continue in the process. It's a hard dream because everybody's going after it and not everybody makes it. I'm really about motivating and inspiring people who are really passionate about what they do, not about the flash and the bragging and the fakeness. My morals are a little different - I'm in the industry but I don't necessarily like it or a lot of the people. I'm about championing people in the industry and giving exposure to those who don't have the avenues to show their stuff.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I'm really about motivating and inspiring people who are really passionate about what they do. I'm not about the flash and the bragging and the fakeness - my morals are a little different. Even though I'm in the entertainment industry, I don't necessarily like it or a lot of the people because I value authenticity. I've always wanted to give exposure and platforms to people who didn't have the avenues to show their stuff, like independent filmmakers and artists when A-list Hollywood dominated everything. I started my Envision Apparel clothing line as a positive clothing line to be a champion to people in the industry, because people need supportive role models and support around them. I don't do well with attention on myself - I don't think what I do is impressive even though some people say it is, it's just me living my life.
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