We’ve seen the scandal, the tears, and the fights on VH1’s Love & Hip Hop, which follows the lives of women involved either in the music industry or with men who make a living from it. Now, as the show begins its second season, we’ll see new additions, with one being a young boss who brings a different aspect of the business to the table.
Yandy Smith, 29, joins the cast as a young entertainment powerhouse, having worked with industry superstars Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes, and serving as manager to hip-hop artist Jim Jones and model Toccara. Smith got her big break as executive assistant to Mona Scott-Young–co-founder of Violator Management and founder of Scott-Young Monami Entertainment–and went on to work her way up the ranks to broker deals for clients of her own. BlackEnterprise.com talked with the Howard University alum about how reality TV benefits her brand, how she gained success, and how up-and-comers can get their big break.
BlackEnterprise.com: What inspired you to get into the entertainment business, and how did you land your gig with Mona Scott-Young?
Smith: Actually I came in as an intern to her assistant’s assistant. I’d just graduated from Howard, and I wanted to get into entertainment law. I wanted to see what the whole entertainment world was about and decided to seek out an internship. I came across Violator Management. At the time they weren’t looking to hire anyone. I decided I’d come back again, and I’d check back the next week and the following week, until they finally said, “Let’s just give her something to do.” I became an intern after that.
Then from being intern, I became an assistant to Mona’s assistant, and then became Mona’s executive assistant, and now Mona and I are partners.
How did you become involved with Love & Hip Hop?
I actually pitched the show to [the show’s now executive producer] Jim Ackerman, but it was a story based on Jim Jones’ life. [Ackerman] thought it was great, so the pilot got picked up, and we started shooting. Shortly after, a lot of things began happening in Jim’s personal life that affected shooting the show. I needed to rework [the concept], and I didn’t want to lose the deal at VH1. So I called Mona to come in and help me rework the idea. She had a great idea she was pitching to another network about the women behind the scenes in hip hop… We [thought of] how to incorporate that with [Jim’s story] and the vision came to life.
I loved the show last year. The only thing I would’ve loved to add was to show a woman who stood on her own two feet and didn’t do it on the back of the men in the industry. So after thinking, Who would be that woman? Mona said, “Hey, how about you?”
The blogs have been abuzz about your conflict with Jim Jones’ girlfriend and fellow castmate Chrissy, which reportedly led to your professional split from Jones as his manager. What were the challenges you had, and how best do you think one should handle professional conflicts?
I can’t get into many details about the show, but my best advice is to draw a line, if you can, between business and personal. Sometimes your clients might get you involved in their personal space because you’re not only their manager, sometimes you’re also a psychiatrist, a friend, an adviser. And that sometimes can lead to lines getting crossed. I would say, as much as you can stay out of that, stay out of it.
[The management situation] plays out on the show… I love Jim to death, and not only has he been my client, he’s been my brother, he’s been my best friend for almost eight years now. We’ll always work together in some capacity, whether I’m managing him or not.
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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS! Join us for the landmark 10th Annual Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm, March 2—4, 2015, at Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, FL. This exciting, one-of-a-kind executive leadership summit is designed to train, equip and encourage women to become industry leaders, learn career strategies, and discover proven work—life balance techniques. Register Now! https://blackenterprise.com/wps
Many young people romanticize the glamor and glitz–parties and perks–of being in the music industry. What are the realities of some of the other aspects people don’t see?
It’s absolutely a glamorous lifestyle–if that’s what you want–but to get to that, it takes a lot
of hard work. It’s two-fold for me: a plus and a negative. I’ve given up so much time and energy. I haven’t had time to start a family or have a consistent relationship that flourished because I’m always on the road, always traveling… It’s hard, and it’s a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week job. There’s no vacation. My phones are attached to my hip even when I’m trying to vacation.You do balance it out with a lot of the perks, like going to the great parties or traveling all over the world, but there comes a point in time when it’s, what’s more important– family or career–and that’s where I am now.
You’ve extended your brand into an online boutique and lifestyle blog, Everything Girls Love. Why did you start this venture?
When I decided to do the show, I knew how much the show aired and looked at it as a great branding opportunity. It’s like a commercial for whatever it is you have going on. I thought, What is something that I’d like to promote? I’m a businesswoman, first and foremost, and when I looked around my room and saw all these rings, necklaces and pendants, I said, “I got it. I’m going to get into the accessories business.”
What does the collection offer?
Right now, the collection consists of about 30 pieces, including earrings, rings, bracelets and pendants. What sets us apart from everyone else is that every one of our pieces are bold, strong while still feminine
and beautiful. Also, not only are we an accessories line, we’re also starting a loungewear line featuring rhinestone and sequin accents that are very edgy, but cute. Our ultimate goal is to be the one-stop-shop for ladies before you go out, go on a date, or just hang out and do your girly things you like to do–all the little feminine things that you love. And we’ll also have a blog section discussing trends, beauty tips and [there’ll be a] Rock Candy section, featuring handsome men you should be looking out for.Where do you ultimately see yourself in 10 years?
A year ago I would’ve answered this question completely different and eight years ago, when I was graduating college, I would’ve answered it completely different. I never, in a million years, would’ve thought I’d be in front of a camera, so the sky’s the limit. I’m just open and willing to do whatever it takes to further my brand and my career, while empowering women and showing them we can do everything on our own if we need to.
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS! Join us for the landmark 10th Annual Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm, March 2—4, 2015, at Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, FL. This exciting, one-of-a-kind executive leadership summit is designed to train, equip and encourage women to become industry leaders, learn career strategies, and discover proven work—life balance techniques. Register Now! https://blackenterprise.com/wps