Nikiya “NikiMarie” Rodriguez is the Podcast creator of NikiMarie Radio and Financial Consultant for a non profit institution in Long Island, NY. We recently got an opportunity to interview her for our magazine.
Pro Media Mag : First of all tell us about the start of your professional career.
NikiMarie : The start of my professional career began almost fourteen years ago. I started as a Financial Aid Officer and began consulting once I received several requests regarding Financial Aid. Whether I was providing services to my family or friends, if you had a plan to attend College and wanted to know about affordability, I was the go-to person and getting several referrals.
Pro Media Mag : What about your educational background ?
NikiMarie : I attended the Wolfson Campus at Miami Dade College where I studied Mass Communication/Journalism and earned my Associate Degree. I went to CUNY School of Professional Studies in pursuit of my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. My goal is to ultimately go to CUNY School of Professional Studies for my Master’s in Business Leadership
Pro Media Mag : Who or what inspired you to launch NikiMarie Radio™?
NikiMarie : I was inspired to launch NikiMarie Radio™ after my postpartum depression and social anxiety diagnosis. I had my daughter in 2013 and three months later, I was prescribed Zoloft and saw a therapist every week for a year. Talking was very therapeutic for me and after some time, I began my Podcast in 2018. Starting my podcast allowed me the ability to be open and expressive with my thoughts and share them with my listeners. I did not know it would allow me the opportunity to help others. Once I started interviewing guests, I made my motto, “Let Your Voice Be Heard” The focus is celebrating the ability to be heard and share your story so others can grow the confidence to share their story.
Pro Media Mag : What kind of Podcasts you normally create?
NikiMarie : I have the pleasure of having three different shows which allows me to be creative in three different ways. Media Assassins Podcast is more of an entertainment, culture, and political base show. NikiMarie Radio has grown to be more of an interviewing platform for celebrities and community leaders. And Leadership in Readership Hour focuses on educating listeners and viewers on finances. Leadership in Readership Hour has a YouTube channel under kidlightenment HQ.
Pro Media Mag : What attracts you more, live podcast episodes or pre-recorded?
NikiMarie : Majority of my episodes are pre-recorded for editing purposes. In the coming months, I am thinking of hosting live shows on either Blog Talk Radio or Speaker.com.
Pro Media Mag : Tell us about your experience as Financial Aid Consultant?
NikiMarie : The most important key to being a Financial Aid Consultant or Advisor is understanding the Federal Rules and Regulations. I often find myself reviewing www.ifap.ed.gov which is most commonly used by Financial Aid Professionals. You get the latest updates on policies and procedures and so much more. The best advice I can give to my peers as well as students and parents, is to read. The most common error is lack of reading. I know it is a lot to comprehend but the more you learn, the easier the process gets. There are times where I want to give up as a Higher Education professional because I often meet with people who do not want to read or listen. It becomes very frustrating on both sides.
Pro Media Mag : You have also partnered with Leaders Are Born, LLC. What exactly is your role with them?
NikiMarie : I am the Executive Moderator and Mentor with Leaders Are Born, LLC. Leaders Are Born, LLC, “LABco”, is an innovative venture network of social entrepreneurs and professionals dedicated to incubating & advocating towards progressive initiatives and organizations. Vision: We aim to empower generations of student entrepreneurs with the Financial Literacy, Life Skills, Confidence and Career Readiness for the world of work. To empower early-stage financial literacy and inspire generations of students to seek & lead passion-driven careers (www.leadersareborn.co)
Pro Media Mag : If you could choose two people in the world to interview, who would it be and why?
NikiMarie : Wow, that’s a tough question. If I had to choose two people that are living, I would choose Michelle Obama and Jayz. I feel like Michelle can provide information to me about being in the public eye and allowing words to bounce off your shoulders. I also want to speak to her about her books and films. Maybe talk about Former President, Barack Obama. With Jayz, I want to know what happened in the elevator, kidding. I would ask him some investment questions. I would choose these two people because when I think of the two of them, I think of this quote, “Expand your inner circle to include those who can challenge your thinking and escalate you to unreached heights of success.” -Simon T. Bailey
Pro Media Mag : What’s up next? Have you setup any goals?
NikiMarie : My goal is to open my own studio space and continue with the growth and development of my Podcast and my Lifestyle and Entertainment blog site. I am currently looking for contributing writers and soon, I would love to start my own Fashion and Entertainment Magazine.
Pro Media Mag : What can people do to support you and your goals?
NikiMarie : The best thing people can do to support is go to https://linktr.ee/nikimarieradio and subscribe to my Podcast on any platform that they choose, listen and write a review or subscribe to my YouTube channel.
