Faith It, Until You Make It: Meet Lifestyle Entrepreneur Erica Dias

“I remember it like it was yesterday. I was 15 years old in High School on my lunch break, and I decided to make a phone call to Celebrity Style Icon June Ambrose. As the phone rang, I was unsure if she would answer, but sure enough her secretary did, and I confidently spoke and said,  “Hello my name is Erica Dias and I would like to speak with June Ambrose”. 

 

1.Hello! Please let everyone know who you are!

Hello! My name is Erica Dias.

2. Where were you born & raised? Did your upbringing have an early influence on what you wanted to do as an adult?

I was born and raised in Richmond, California. My upbringing most definitely had an influence on what I wanted to do as an adult. I am the oldest of five siblings, so I have that natural instinct to always want to help people.

3. How did you get your start in the Industry?

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was 15 years old in High School on my lunch break, and I decided to make a phone call to the Celebrity Style Icon June Ambrose. I had always admired her sense of fashion and style and wanted her to be my mentor. As the phone rang, I was unsure if she would answer, but sure enough her secretary did, and I confidently spoke and said, “Hello my name is Erica Dias and I would like to speak with June Ambrose”. And to my surprise, the secretary told me to hold on. Sure enough to my excitement June Ambrose came on the phone, I gave her my “elevator pitch” and told her I would do a telephone internship with her after I graduate high school for free. And just like that, I was able to intern for her but didn’t meet her until a few years later. When I flew to LA to meet her I had the opportunity to work on the Missy Elliott video shoot to the song ” I’m Really Hot”. And just like that, I started my “career” in the business.

Three weeks after the video shoot, while still being enrolled at San Francisco City College, with the push of Eminem’s stylist, I made that move to LA. While in school I able to do an internship with BET, Vibe Magazine, DIOR and other companies to help build my resume in styling and network to get my name out there, making sure I always passed around my business cards. I also took classes at FIT in New York to be able to do certain internships that required enrollment in college.

4. What inspired you to create and start your Public Relations Consulting Agency, “The B Firm PR”? What does the “B” stand for?

After I moved back to LA from NYC, my grandma who means the world to me got sick and died. Everything at that point didn’t matter. The night of my grandma’s funeral I moved to Atlanta, Georgia. While I was there I had a freelance Reality TV Show gig, but I felt stagnant with life and knew my purpose was to do more. At the time my sister was working in PR (Public Relations), and I knew I wanted to be apart of that and expand my brand. Taking a leap of faith, my sister Ashley and I applied for a business license, made a website and in 2012 ” The B Firm PR” named after our father was launched. The B Firm PR provides experienced Marketing, Public Relations, Promotions and Brand Management services to our fashion, entertainment and beauty clients in both the public and the private sector.

5. What is your main mission and goal for “The B Firm PR”?

The main mission of  “The B Firm PR”, “is to provide creative breakthroughs for individuals, brands and corporations alike through strategic communication campaigns that educate, build relationships, extend the reach and increase visibility.” I want people to know that you can start off as the underdog and still come out on top.

6. Who was your first “Big” Client, and when did you know you “Made it” in the Entertainment & Beauty industry?

Being able to have Curlkalon as our first big client meant a lot. They are the #1 Synthetic Protective Hairstyle in that industry.

7. Can you please tell me the vision behind “ Erica’s Table of 20”?

After moving to Atlanta, and working with someone who said I have to “ Fake it till I make it”, I said no “I’m going to Faith it till I make it” (now a title of a book that I wrote). And that is what I did. I know what it means to not have that much in my account, or live out of a motel, but I have always been determined to be the best version of myself.  I had a vision and with some money saved, I created a nationwide luncheon for both men and women entrepreneurs to let them come to a space where they can be themselves, and be inspired by those around them. I have had these luncheons in various cities such as Atlanta, Dallas…Beverly Hills, San Franciso, and now June 30th, I will be in New York.

8. Tell me about a successful moment or accomplishment you’ve had thus far in your career?

As a little girl, I always used to read the ” Black Enterprise Magazine” in my grandfathers home. So when I got selected to have a feature in the magazine, I was very honored.  The B Firm PR has been named one of the Top PR firms making moves, so that was great exposure for the company.

9. At the end of the day, what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind for people to remember you by?

At the end of the day, I want to be known as a woman that was always giving back, inspiring others, and sewing a seed into others through service.

10. How can people get in contact with you via email or social media outlets?

Instagram Page: @thebfirmpr

Website: http://thebfirmpr.com/

An Inside View of Erica’s Table of 20

 

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