Rita Richa Helps Businesses Tell Their Stories Through Podcasting

[Template] Website Member Feature Banner (4)

A brief introduction about Rita and her business:

Rita Richa is the founder and executive Producer of Reignite Media. Rita has an extensive background in developing B2B podcasts, content-based networking, and brand strength capitalization. Her clients have been known to classify her as an innovator/visionary, passionate about developing podcasts, scripts, storyboards, social media content, and content strategy for modern B2B brands. In her free time, she also hosts her podcast Bippity Boppity Business.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

Former theatre kid turned business major to podcast agency specialist.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

It wasn’t by choice! I was laid off and in two weeks I had to learn everything there is to learn about starting a business. Luckily I had been posting content on LinkedIn for two years building my personal brand (for fun) not knowing that one month after being laid off my DMS would be FLOODED with client requests. I am almost 3 years in and the business has hit 6 Figures in Sales. If I went back in time to the girl who was googling “What is an LLC?” and told her, “girl we hit 6K!!” I’d have NEVER believed her!

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

The truth is…I NEVER wanted to be an entrepreneur. I come from a family of middle eastern entrepreneurs, my father being one my whole life. He was very successful until he lost it all. We became homeless for a summer and I had to take care of the entire household for a while. Being an entrepreneur was my WORST fear. But after being laid off, and growing this business, I am learning to love it, to try to unlearn traumas and unhealthy ways of doing business, to break the cycle.

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

Post every day on LinkedIn. Make three connection calls a week. Do great work to get referrals! Considering I never really “planned” to start the business, I’d say I am doing pretty great now!

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

Leadership, or lack thereof. Remember that entrepreneur trauma I was talking about? Well, while my Dad was a great dad, he was a RUTHLESS boss. He was not the fan favorite amongst his employees and had an old school military like leadership style. They called him “Stormin’ Norman”. Wish I was kidding. Anyways, turns out that deep inside of me I had a “stormin’ Norm” too. Once I started growing the team with contractors I realized I had a lot of growth to do, needed to learn how to communicate, how to delegate, how to BUILD A SYSTEM. Man those things were hard. But while the work is never done, I am starting to learn slowly what it means to be a better leader and not a boss.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

I grew a successful podcast and community for women in the trades/blue collar! The show was featured in an industry magazine and the hosts were asked to livestream the show at the AHR conference in Atlanta. I brought all the equipment and my boyfriend and I tag teamed a HUGE event just the two of us! Launching a show with an audience live (both IRL and online) was an amazing experience.

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you’d like to celebrate with our community?

My podcast won the 2024 EarWorthy Award for Best Business Advice podcast this year! This is huge for me AND business. It gave me the validation I needed to know that podcast production is the right path for me and my clients.

What’s next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

A question I continue to ponder myself! I think we are experimenting with different niches to choose what industry we want to specialize in. I don’t know where podcasts/live stream content will be or look like in a few years, but we are definitely learning and teaching others! I am dreaming up a product and online course. We will see where it goes!

What is your top productivity tip? 

Find an amazing production or virtual assistant that GETS you. We use Slack and ClickUp to work together and she is the reason why I don’t lose my mind.

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

I don’t work on the weeks and try to do in-person networking events that help remind me what I am doing!

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

I used to work 17-hour long days and think it was productive. Turns out, it really isn’t. The reality is I work that one day and do nothing the other two! I try to do creative things that keep me alive. My podcast is that for me. The second I stop making episodes and interviewing amazing people, my soul and passion begin to waver. Also, melatonin to sleep. Who knew a little vitamin gummy would be so important to turning my brain off to get the full 8 hours of beauty sleep I desperately need.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I am not perfect and that is okay. Period.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

“Are you passionate about this industry?” I learned that to work in podcasting means you truly have to CARE about this industry. If they aren’t a fan of the work or a content consumer themselves, it makes everything so much harder.

What’s the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

Slack. Because if left to my own devices I WILL forget you emailed me.

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

CLICKUP CHANGED MY LIFE. ClickUp allowed me to scale the work I do. Huge second shout out to Notion as well! I use the site to curate the client deliverable experience instead of just sending Google Drive links. Helps so much!

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Posting personal content on my LinkedIn before I even had my business changed my life. Pick your favorite platform. Post your ideas and experiences daily. Test. Iterate. Evolve. Guess what? You are priming your audience! Once day when you DO launch that amazing business you will have folks ready to listen and love what you do. But more importantly, you are your OWN competition. Don’t let insta biz FOMO get you girl! YOU GOT THIS!

Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today!

Share it!

Posted in
Tags

Leave a Comment





Alenka Kyslik’s Business Matches Users With Holistic Providers

A brief introduction about Alenka and her business: A Canadian, now living in Los Angeles, Alenka has spent almost 15 years in the corporate world as an overachiever. Eventually it caught up with her and she burnt out. A year later, just as she was recovering mentally, she tore apart her ankle and has spent…

Lana Wear’s Journey to Founding a Real Estate Flipping and Staging Company

A brief introduction about Lana and her business: Lana is Founder and CEO of HomeWear Designs, a real estate flipping and staging company in New York City, the Hamptons, and St. Petersburg, FL. Lana’s career began in Sales, first as a Real Estate Agent in NYC and later as a Sales leader for multinational corporations.…

Addie Gundry is Innovating Diaper Changing for Parents on the Go

“My biggest regret is [that] I kept this so close to the chest for a while, because a lot of people think, ‘Someone will steal my idea. People think it’s a bad idea.’ You almost want to wait to announce what you’re doing until it’s totally complete. And I always say, ‘If you’re not embarrassed…

Cindy Dodd Connects Companies With Key Decision-Makers

A brief introduction about Cindy and her business: Cindy Dodd is an award-winning marketer and global speaker who has emerged as a trailblazer for Black women in the lead generation industry. As the Co-Founder and COO of PEMA.io, Cindy has transformed the company into a global powerhouse, executing over 100 million reach-outs and serving over…

Kathryn Shah, Spring & Mulberry, is Making the World a Sweeter and Healthier Place

“I don’t know that we’ve cracked the right mix yet, but gifting has gone a long way, and I think the more you gift, the more people see your product, and the more you can collaborate on content, the more views you’ll see on your content. And ultimately, what you’re wanting is just this feeling…

Courtney Todd’s Marketing Agency Increases Brand’s Visibility

Hi, Courtney! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi, I’m Courtney, Fractional CMO + Creative Director of Umlaut Agency. I help brands drive top-line growth and reduce cost per customer by increasing brand visibility and building stronger customer relationships. I also run a creative agency that focuses on branding and website…

Amy Rees Inspires Women Through Art With Personality Plates

“Find somebody to work with as a small business owner. I’m not taking out loans. I don’t have big funding. You really have to pick and choose where you want to invest in your business, but you do have to invest somewhere.” Struggling with feelings of neglect and loneliness in an unhappy marriage, Amy Rees…

Ramy Brook Sharp’s Journey to Building and Scaling a Fashion Empire

“As the leader, it all starts at the top. If you want a culture where people are kind to each other and people are understanding, you have to be that person.” Ramy Brook Sharp is the founder and CEO of Ramy Brook, a contemporary women’s fashion brand known for its chic and versatile designs. Launched…

Sharon Ringier’s Magazine is Curated Exclusively for Women Entrepreneurs

A brief introduction about Sharon and her business: Sharon Ringier is a highly accomplished and influential entrepreneur, speaker, mentor, and philanthropist who has dedicated her life to empowering and supporting women in their personal and professional pursuits. With over 20 years of experience in the events planning industry, Sharon has become widely known for her…

Beth Nydick Amplifies Media Exposure Into Profitable Opportunities for Businesses

A brief introduction about Beth and her business: Beth Nydick, the founder of The F.A.M.E. LAB, is the go-to media expert for coaches, experts, and authors seeking to amplify their brand presence. Known for her strategic approach and media expertise, Beth transforms media exposure into lucrative opportunities, ensuring her clients don’t just shine in the…

Michelle Hsiao’s Consultancy Firm Helps Product-Based Businesses Thrive

A brief introduction about Michelle and her business: Michelle Hsiao is the CEO/Founder of Revenue Growth Advisors, a consultancy for product-based businesses in retail, e-commerce, and wholesale/DTC brands. Previously she led merchandising teams as a Senior Vice President with Boscov’s Department Store, Group Vice President for Macy’s and Chief Merchant/Head of E-commerce for an online…

Networking Without the Nerves: Tips for Authentic Connections

“The power of networking, you never know. There could be just that one person that you connect with who then has somebody else that they know and it’s a snowball effect.”- Richelle Pena  Today’s Startups in Stilettos has a very special minisode dedicated to the power of networking. Tune in to hear Carlyn Bushman and…

Mary Seats Fosters Community With Her Co-Working Space for Women, The Bakery CoWork

“I needed support, community, someone to reach their hand down and pull me up. And now I’m always reaching my hand down to pull someone else up.” Mary Seats is the founder of The Icing Agency and The Bakery CoWork, a co-working space designed for women entrepreneurs. From a young age, Mary showcased her entrepreneurial…

Masi Chukwuemeka’s Businesses Are All About Social Media Management and Storytelling

Hi, Masi! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: My name is Nmasichi Chinenye Chukwuemeka, but I go by Masi. I am the founder of Masi Brands and TribesAndHistory. Masi Brands is a digital branding agency located in Atlanta and our services include web design, social media management, and graphics design. Our…

Elizabeth Milian’s Legal Services Help Entrepreneurs Protect Their Brands

Hi, Elizabeth! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi, I’m Elizabeth! I am a first generation professional and passionate trademark attorney, entrepreneur, and above all else, a devoted mother, who is actively shaping the world she wants her children to inherit through her work and advocacy. I am the Founder and…