Akron, Ohio native Aryel Nicole Bell, is a creative firebrand and agency builder whose specialty is winning, retaining creative clients, developing brands, and managing projects with acclaimed campaigns.
Currently based in Charlotte, NC, with almost a decade of experience at the helm and a B.A in Public Relations, Aryel Nicole conceptualizes and spearheads the development of all PR, branding, and creative marketing initiatives through her agency, The Prime Media Group, founded in 2017. Her hunger for knowledge and determination to turn information into action has contributed to her impressive career. Sheās worked with clients in various industries, including entertainment, lifestyle, tech, healthcare, and nonprofit. Her most notable works include press campaigns for MTVās 90ās House, My Black is Beautiful | Essence Fest, and Basketball Wives LA. As a Publicist, her clients have been highlighted in major national and local outlets such as The Steve Harvey Show, Rolling Out Magazine, Sheen Magazine, Madame Noire, and XoNecole.com. Much like her openness and creativity, Aryel Nicoleās enthusiasm to change narratives is widespread. The founder of Mommyās & Mimosas, a support network for working moms, Aryel Nicole is incredibly passionate about the art of storytelling in ways where people can embrace stories through multiple creative channels.Ā
You can also catch Aryel Nicole, being creative and storytelling over at Candice Nicole Public Relations and Less the Agency, where she holds the titles of PR Account Executive & Publicist.
Nonetheless, the University of Akron graduateās most cherished title is that of a mother. Mom to one daughter, Aryel Nicoleās focus has always been teaching her daughter the principles she lives by – to show compassion, be impactful, and live a bold, healthy, and beautiful life.
Check out her full Interview below –
Interview:
Where are you from and explain life growing up?
Hailing all the way from Akron, Ohio, life was undisputedly a beautiful challenge. Growing up in a single parent home and eventually becoming a single parent myself, paved the way for the strength I carry today. I did most sports; basketball, track and field, and cheerleading throughout my adolescent years which gave me the discipline to run a business, tough skin to accept ānoā and the confidence, motivation and will to WIN!
When did you decide you wanted to start your own business?
Deciding to start my own business was an easy one. After graduating from The University of Akron in 2017, I was unable to find a job in Public Relations in Ohio. I had interned for two PR firms located in Atlanta and Maryland, however as a single parent, I wasn’t ready to uproot my life just yet. A girl-friend from highschool moved to LA and had begun her acting career just a year earlier and now needed someone to help her organize a local press run for the reality show she was on. She called me and thatās when Aryel Nicole Public Relations was born, later rebranded to The Prime Media Group.
What exactly do you offer as far as services and why would a company/
artists want to work with you?
As a public relations firm, it’s our job to manage your brand’s image by way of the media. We handle messaging to the press and most importantly your target audience. Itās important to work with a PR Specialist when it comes to building relationships and taking your business to the next level because PR is all about getting other people to say how great you are. The Prime Media Group prides itself on connecting artists and brands to strategic activations, media, and people who will benefit their growth in the long run. We are all about long term sustainability.
How do you plan on continuing to grow?
Expanding to different markets and showing how multifaceted I truly can be. I believe it’s so important to never get stuck and feel safe. I always say āYou should feel uncomfortable being comfortableā. I love collaborating with other Publicists and building relationships which is a great way to help one another grow. I eventually would love to move into PR for the film industry as that is something I have yet to touch.
Has the current COVID-19 situation affected your business in any way?
COVID has affected my business in a major way…a major good way. I have tripled my income and picked up new clients along the way. This pandemic was probably one of the best things that could have ever happened to my business. Iām super blessed but also know that this was nothing but God’s work.
What was the most difficult part of starting an agency from scratch?
The most difficult part was learning what I didn’t know. College doesn’t teach you how to pitch, secure media placements or run a red carpet, so figuring out those things by trial and error was so frustrating. Another difficult piece was how much to charge as a new Publicist and tenured peers donāt talk about this AT ALL. I didn’t want to sell myself short but I also didn’t want to charge a large amount of money without having enough skill to back it up.
How do you deal with bad clients?
Iāve been blessed thus far to not have ābadā clients however when dealing with my clients who sometimes like to be difficult, I have to remember that I have their brand and livelihood in my hands. So taking a step back to understand their frustrations and talking through them has been a great way for me to deal with things. On the other hand, I also remind my clients that theyāve hired me for a reason and that reason is because I can produce the results they want and need, so at the end of the day they have to let me do my job.
Whatās your biggest goal for the year?
My biggest goal for the year is to sign another musician before 2020 ends. Iāve found a love for working with artists who take their brands serious and know what it takes to be successful. I had a goal to increase my income, but I knocked that out mid pandemic.
What other life goals do you have outside of your current business?
I would love to work for The Springhill Company one day and/or become an executive at a record label. Those are my current dream jobs at the moment (they change every once and a while lol). Outside of business, of course every little girl dreams of getting married and I hope that my ring is in my near future…hint hint.
What advice would you give to a young entrepreneur who wants to start
their own business? Manifest what you want your business to look like, do the work, research and ask for help. Remember that some people arenāt willing to help you and thatās okay. Be resourceful and never stop being a student of the game. I would also say it’s really important to legalize your business, get your LLC/Corporation, trademark your business name, apply for your EIN and get all of your paperwork in order so that the moment you get the client of your dreams, you can handle business accordingly.
