Exploring Life & Business with Ebony Jeanette

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebony Jeanette.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Driven by a genuine and heartfelt passion for the music itself, I have dedicated my working life to nurturing and promoting heavy metal and rock – the music that I love. I started my PR company Ebony Jeanette PR in 2010. My mom Dr. E is a soul singer (GiveUsFree Records) and was my very first client. I started behind the merch table at her shows and later running full press campaigns for her album releases while simultaneously writing about and reviewing bands I enjoyed listening to (heavy metal and hard rock) for my personal blog Pink Headphones. Through Twitter, Substream Magazine noticed my writings and offered me a chance to write for their magazine which I did from 2012 until 2015. My first official “industry job” was serving as the in-house publicist for the world’s foremost extreme heavy metal record label: Century Media Records (Sony) where I worked my way up from an intern to tour publicist and later in-house PR. I also previously held the title of in-house publicist for Prosthetic Records before returning to Ebony Jeanette PR as my sole focus in 2020. I have been very fortunate to work with numerous clients, both high profile and aspiring, through my time at both record labels and through my own company, Ebony Jeanette PR.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Building a company and creating a personal brand is not possible without overcoming obstacles. In addition to learning how to create, organize and run a business, I’ve had to learn how to navigate and establish myself in an industry where almost no one looks like me. From not being taken seriously as a publicist initially to experiencing outright racism, sexism and cronyism in the industry, it has been essential for me to keep a growth mindset, stay focused on my goals and learn from the mistakes of others as well as from my own mistakes and experiences to overcome challenges and obstacles.

Another challenge that I’ve worked to overcome is creating a system for my business that allows me to make harmony with my work and personal life one of the key components of my success. Publicists, like many entrepreneurs, are always “on ” therefore, It’s extremely important to take care of your mental and physical health. One of the ways I am able to achieve work and personal life balance is by periodically taking inventory of all of the output required for the daily run of my business and evaluating what items can be outsourced, what items can be streamlined, and what items can be done away with entirely. Hiring team members or contractors for specific campaign needs and curating a strategic client roster that focuses on a select amount of client campaigns at a time also allows me to excel without sacrificing my mental and physical health. While the life of an entrepreneur will never be without challenges, it is my firm and motivating belief that taking stock of an obstacle and creating a plan that not only solves it but allows you to use it to your benefit only makes you stronger and better able to solve challenges for your clients.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Ebony Jeanette PR (EJPR) is a boutique publicity company specializing in extreme music and entertainment experiences based in both Los Angeles, California and Columbus, Ohio. Our focus and passion is discovering, publicizing and promoting extreme music and culture. This is accomplished through engaging all our networks and connecting them with the entertainment and brands they love by converting messages into meaningful media experiences and unforgettable events.

Among scoring numerous great successes for my clients, my company and my personal brand; some of the highlights I am most proud of is achieving Billboard chart placings for several unsigned bands through my work at EJPR, participating on a featured panel at SXSW Music Conference and the Business of Music Conference presented by Music Industry Quarterly & Urban Network Digital. I am also proud of having EJPR spotlighted in Music Connection Magazine, VoyageHouston, Flourish Media and Haulix.com as well as having my writings published in Substream Magazine, New Noise Magazine, Cryptic Rock.com, Ghost Cult Magazine and more.

My personal mission as a music publicist is to help musicians gain more exposure and to spread their music to new audiences around the world. Through consistently uncovering and connecting new opportunities, EJPR produces results that further the major traditional and non-traditional publicity goals specific to each client. In 2023 I also launched CutThroat Entertainment in partnership with Steve Sheline. Together we curate live shows and events for local and touring artists throughout the country. Learn more at www.ebonyjeanette.com

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ebonyjeanette.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialejpr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EbonyJeanettePR
• Linkedin: https://ie.linkedin.com/company/ebony-jeanette-pr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EbonyJeanette

Image Credits
Tudor Rose Productions Lori Spellman Photography