Erica Dias, Public Relations maven based in Atlanta, Georgia. Founder of Erica’s Table Of 20, author of Faith it, Until You Make It, and owner of The B Firm PR along side her sister (Ashley Jernigan).
Dias is a strong businesswoman who is the brains behind bringing the best opportunities to her clients. Some may wonder how their favorite celebs and brands are so involved in the public eye. It’s all about having a good PR consultant. The secret is having a team of professionals who work behind the scenes to up keep their image.
Check out my interview below with Dias breaking down the world of PR and her life.
I started my career in the fashion industry June Ambrose was my mentor. June was a pioneer to me in wardrobe styling. She set a lot of trends, a fearless woman always going outside the box. She gave me a tele-internship then I worked for her in person on a video with Missy Elliott. From that moment I knew I could do anything.
What was the transition like from wardrobe stylist to PR?
It was an easy transition because I am a hard worker. I was always the connection. The girl who wanted to connect everybody to the next person, thing or opportunity.
Was it hard starting your own business?
My sister (Ashley Jernigan) who is my business partner one day we spoke about us starting our own business. I wanted people to see women of color, families working together and taking their careers to the next level. She agreed and within a week of planning we got the website together.
Dias and Jernigan founded The B Firm: Public Relations company, which provides marketing, public relations, promotions and brand management services to their fashion, entertainment and beauty clientele.
What are the duties of being a PR maven?
My duty as a publicist is to get my clients the maximum exposure strategically behind the scenes. I help them take their careers or brands to the next level. Making their back office look just as good as the front.
Who could really benefit from PR?
Anyone trying to get their name out there; get that exposure that they need. Someone who has started a product or clothing line they can definitely benefit from a strategic PR campaign. This includes athletes, fashion/beauty brands, musicians and entrepreneurs.
We live in a social media driven society and one thing submitted to the public in the wrong way can make or break your career sometimes. It’s good to have professionals on your team. Who can make sure you’re highlighted in the right way while you can just focus on being the client. No matter what industry you’re in “you have to delegate to elevate”.
Who are some of your clients?
My clientele includes fashion and beauty brands, athletes, influencers, actors and actresses. Dequan Jones, actress Ernestine Johnson, The Young Bell Project and Michel Germain just to name a few.
What is a day in the life of a Publicist like?
I try to be hands on as much as possible checking in with my team getting them excited about the day or week. When you pour into your team it just builds more team loyalty and commodity. I was driven at a young age. I like to give that same motivation to the people that work with me.
Aside from my team, building relationships with different journalists and attending events. My job as publicist is to be in the know. You have to know the new bloggers, influencers, and journalist making those connections and building opportunities for my clients.
Besides running her PR business, Dias owns her company “Erica’s Table of 20”.
After moving from California to Atlanta, Georgia, Dias desired more for not only herself but also her new surroundings.
Tell me more about Erica’s Table of 20?
I wanted to have something that’s my own. Where dope women and men can meet, something that brings an unforgettable experience. I wanted to go back to basics; lets engage and share with equality amazing people.
“You will see videos of us at the table but won’t hear the conversation because what we are saying is for that table…that room. If you have a seat at that table you’re lucky it’s a dope experience.”
If everyone can hear what’s at the table what’s the purpose of being at the table.
A visionary and creative, Dias found herself creating her own motivational quotes, which lead her to having her own book.
You have your own published book “Faith It, Until You Make It”, what inspired you to create it?
My vision board of hopes, dreams, goals, quotes and aspirations that have inspired me along my entrepreneurial journey. While working on a television set in Atlanta someone said to me “You’re here in Atlanta now. You have to fake it until you make it”. I replied, “No, I’m going to faith it, until I make it”.
My faith is going to get me wherever I need to be. My book full of inspirational quotes features mental, spiritual, emotional, and financial quotes. I hope they can inspire someone else.
As a professional what is your advice to others?
It is always important to bring added value to your internship. Do not be just a taker of their advice and knowledge. Do your best and be the first one there and the last one leaving.
Dias’s book “Faith It, Until You Make It” is available at Barnes & Nobles and Amazon. www.TheBFirmPR.com & www.EricasTableOf20.com