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Bevy Smith Talks Switching Careers, Becoming CEO and Bravo’s ‘Fashion Queens’

As the creator of the popular networking event series “Dinner with Bevy,” Bevy Smith is a well-known industry power player who prides herself on connecting some of today’s top movers and shakers with one another.

Known for offering her witty and honest opinion on topics pertaining to pop culture and fashion, Smith has appeared as a guest speaker on several major networks including VH1, Access Hollywood, BET, TV One and Bravo just to name a few. With over $87,000 followers on Twitter, it’s clear that this Harlem native has built a brand that’s respected by many.

Coming from years of experience in corporate America, BlackEnterprise.com caught up with Smith to talk about her career switch, how she became her own CEO and how she’s expanding her brand to include co-host of Bravo’s Fashion Queens, whose new season premiers Nov. 9 at 11:30 pm ET.

BlackEnterprise.com: As a successful entrepreneur who once worked years under the direction of someone else, can you talk about your transition from corporate America to being your own CEO and what was the driving factor behind you taking the risk?

Bevy Smith: I refer to myself as the “accidental entrepreneur.” When I resigned from Rolling Stone magazine it wasn’t with the idea to start a business; however, two years after my resignation financial difficulties required that I either take a salaried position or find an independent revenue stream.

When you quit Rolling Stone you were in a senior level position. What advice do you have for mid to senior level professionals who want to make a career change but feel it’s too late?

I believe that mid to senior level executives are in the sweetest spot to change careers.  If you’ve progressed to management in your career you’ve acquired skill sets, relationships and the confidence needed to revamp your life.

You’re popularly known for your Dinner with Bevy events that bring together some of the industry’s top movers and shakers. What was your inspiration behind starting this series of events and how were you able to turn it into a widely recognized brand?

I created Dinner with Bevy with a desire to fill a gap in the marketplace.  Urban music artists were selling millions of records, wearing designer fashion but largely ignored by the luxury fashion segment, and I knew I could connect fashion brands with urban stars.  I’ve managed to build a successful brand by “doing the work”, always ensuring that my guests and clients are equally yoked and being very selective in my approach to press.

Read more about Bevy Smith’s career moves on the next page …

You have a huge social media following and you’re very engaging on Twitter. What role would you say social media plays in your career and how important is it for you to engage on these sites daily?

Social media is my defacto publicist. I don’t have a publicist because at this point I’m still able to promote my projects on Twitter.  The minute my schedule becomes too grueling I will have to engage a professional team, but until then social media allows me to save $3 to $5k a month.  I tell people you can pay in time (Twitter) or money (pr agency) but either way you will pay to promote your brand.

As one of the host of Bravo’s Fashion Queens, what do you think sets the show apart from other shows like Fashion Police?

Our show is unique because we are three black people discussing pop culture seen through the pr

ism of fashion.  It’s rare to see one black person on TV discussing high end fashion and celebrities, much less three.  Our backgrounds, both culturally and professionally, mean that we approach fashion in a vastly different way than say a panel with no people of color. Our culture informs our viewpoint.

What was the deciding factor that influenced you to join the show?

I’m very fortunate.  Andy Cohen has long been a champion of mine. He offered me the position, and I felt it was a job I could excel at and the rest is history!

For those who look at your career and think that all your job consist of is attending celebrity parties, fancy events and television appearances, what behind-the-scenes advice do you have for someone who wants to break into the media industry?

For those who think my life is filled with glamorous events, they are correct, lol.  No matter how challenging my schedule is, I’m always aware that my dreams from 10 years ago are coming true!  My biggest piece of advice is to train, take acting, improv, or camera courses.  Read the business journals, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, etc., so that you’re up to speed on what’s going on in your new industry.  Find an ally, a bit of a mentor, a person in the industry who can be a guide when opportunities are presented.  Before I secured my agent I had several TV producers who I met along the way who advised me on deals.

Fashion Queens airs Sundays on Bravo at 11:30 PM ET.

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