Ivan Thomas is the President and CEO of Intrigue Media Group and a highly sought after entrepreneur, celebrity publicist, author and speaker. For the last 15 years, Ivan has been called upon to manage the brands and reputations of many of the nation’s top companies and individuals – helping them to garner media coverage, establish powerful collaborations and ultimately solidify their positions as industry leaders. Among those he has worked with have been Nielsen, the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Xerox, rapper/actor Waka Flocka Flame, Rev. Jesse Jackson, NBA player Michael Beasley, multi-platinum producer and entrepreneur Kevin “Khao” Cates, Celebrity Credit Guru James Hunt, music mogul Devyne Stephens, rapper Supa Peach and many others. He is a contributor to the national entertainment and lifestyle website, EURweb, and has interviewed many of the nation’s top stars and covered some of the biggest events.
In June of 2020, he released his powerful book “Defy Gravity: Unleashing Your Greatness Within,” a success guide that teaches people how to adopt a success mindset, activate their gifts and talents and to overcome the odds to achieve personal and professional greatness. With the goal of helping thousands of entrepreneurs, aside from running his agency, Ivan focuses his time on educating others and equipping them to discover and activate their dreams. Additionally, he owns a financial services and credit restoration company called Credit Savant LLC. Ivan has been featured on numerous media platforms and speaks at conferences across the country.
What is Intrigue Media Group all about?
Intrigue Media Group is a strategic communications company that specializes in PR and brand/reputation management for clients in the arts, culture, lifestyle and entertainment industries. We work with entrepreneurs, lifestyle influencers, music artists and athletes – and our focus is elevating the public image of our clients by securing media coverage for them, positioning them on some of the nation’s biggest platforms and helping them to establish powerful relationships and strategic partnerships. Our main focus is supporting them in gaining credibility, notoriety and positioning them as leading experts and thought leaders within their industries. If you’re hot and have a story to tell, we’ll take you to the next level.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company?
I was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in the Chicago area. I am the oldest of five and I attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., where I graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Spanish. Prior to graduation, my dad, who was a longtime journalist for publications like the Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, New Jersey Star Ledger and others, ended up starting his own PR firm in Chicago while I was finishing up at Howard. Instead of going to work with a big company, I began working with him and would eventually end up managing accounts for his company. I was there for 6 years. I learned a great deal about what it took to run a business, present effective strategies to support the growth of clients, how to manage the team, and of course, how to garner publicity for the companies we worked with. Like many parents, however, they sometimes have their own idea of where they want your life and career to go. There were certain things I was passionate about that I did not get to explore working with my dad. So, instead of crying and complaining about it, I knew that if I wanted to live the life that I truly desired, I had to create it. So, I started my own company in 2014 and the rest is history.
What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and why?
To be successful, an entrepreneur must know how to address a need in areas of high demand, be able to adjust and adapt under pressure, and understand how to communicate and attract attention through branding. If you are unable to do those things, you will not be able to succeed in business. Entrepreneurship is a journey that takes you through various phases. Depending on the climate, the needs or wants of your customers may change, the demands on your business may change and you must be solution oriented to ensure that things continue to move in a positive direction. Your versatility and ability to connect with your audience in a clear, concise, and captivating way is essential. As far as branding – what are people saying about you? If they are not saying anything, you are not doing nearly enough. You have to be a disruptor and make your presence felt, otherwise you will certainly be overshadowed by the next company.
How do you plan to grow this company?
This company will be a multi-million dollar business that not only provides PR for other individuals and organizations, but will create productions, produce conferences, and also lead powerful initiatives that empower aspiring entrepreneurs and educate people on how to achieve their goals beyond their wildest dreams.
My mission is to help people to “defy gravity” in their lives and their businesses. I published my first book, “Defy Gravity: Unleashing Your Greatness Within“ through my company and it is a book that will be read by people all over the world. It is currently on Amazon. My company will have a global impact.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
I separate myself from my competitors by having a track record of exceeding expectations and by being myself. No one can be me, better than me. I notice that a lot of entrepreneurs, especially those just starting off, try to be someone they are not in order to appear more impressive. They end up being copycats. When you embrace yourself and showcase your own individuality, that in itself can prove a very effective way of distinguishing yourself from others.
What were the top three mistakes you made starting your business, and what did you learn from them?
The top three mistakes I made when I first started my business was:
- Failing to recognize that every client is not a good client. Sometimes as new entrepreneurs we are so focused on trying to bring in money, that we accept any and everyone that comes along and says they need our services. I learned that the wrong clients can pollute your brand and take you away from your mission. Therefore, sometimes you have to say no, even if it means missing out on a new contract. I came to that realization by revisiting my WHY. Why did I start the company and what was the overall goal? If the clients did not fit into the vision that I had for my company or I felt they would compromise the integrity of my brand, I did not work with them. I started picking my clients instead of them picking me.
- Being Modest. I used to think that because I did great work and I was professional that I would get the respect I deserved in my field. Well, I was wrong. There would be people in my field that lacked the ability, the professionalism, or the credibility that I possessed, but because they were more vocal and visible, they got noticed and got the clients (whether they kept them, I’m not sure). While I am still not one who likes to brag, I have learned that closed mouths don’t get fed. Being nice and humble in business is overrated. Attention brings notoriety, the customers, and the money. You have to be confident, bold, and unapologetic. People have to know you exist and that you are a force to be reckoned with.
- People Watching. It is easy to get caught up watching other people and comparing where you are in your business to them. While it is good to draw inspiration and to get a gauge of what may work and what may not, you have to focus on you. Some people are busy watching while others are busy doing. I learned that by embracing my own process, focusing on establishing my brand identity, telling my story and the stories of my clients in a way that resonated with people – the rest would fall into place.
Tell us a little bit about your marketing process, what has been the most successful form of marketing for you?
As a celebrity publicist, author, and speaker, My favorite marketing tool has been Instagram. It has really allowed me to connect with potential clients, to showcase my work, and to share my journey. You can tell someone anything, but when they see you in action and you can bring your audience into your world, it helps them to understand you better. Over the course of my career, I have learned that people don’t care how much you know, they care how you make them feel. I share experiences and touch on things people are dealing with or what they can relate to. I share motivational and empowering messages.
The key to successful marketing is not necessarily speaking your language, but learning to speak the language of your customers. Also, as a publicist, I would be remiss if I did not mention how important publicity has been in growing my brand and credibility. I have been featured in numerous outlets, appeared as a guest on podcasts, and participated in events. Those things have taken my company to another level.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
- In the beginning, my biggest challenge was my mindset. We tend to play the victim when things don’t go our way or when we think things are happening to us. The key was when I decided to blame myself for my station in life. If I wasn’t where I wanted to be in my life or business, I told myself that it was my fault. Blaming myself meant taking accountability and shifting the power from an individual or circumstance and reclaiming it for myself. I then realized that I was in control of the trajectory of my life and if I wanted something, I could make it happen. I developed a success mindset by reading a lot of books and watching motivational videos. Also, by surrounding myself with successful and positive people.
- Another challenge I faced was public speaking. I don’t know what it was, but when I used to speak in front of groups, I would get nervous, my breathing would speed up and sometimes my legs would even shake! I knew that if I wanted to be not only a successful publicist but a successful entrepreneur, I had to become comfortable speaking in front of crowds. So, I started forcing myself to go to networking events where I had to speak in front of people. I booked myself to speak at schools and conferences. By placing myself in uncomfortable situations, I started to become more comfortable.
What is the one thing you wish you knew before starting your business?
That your family and friends are not your target audience. Don’t waste time being upset that they do not support or promote you. When it comes to your business, strangers have everything you need. They are the customers and they are the ones with the money.
If you had the chance to start your career over again what would you do differently?
I wouldn’t do anything different. Every one of the things I have experienced – even the things I might perceive as bad, have made me the professional I am today. The adversity and the challenges were lessons that were necessary to further develop my mental toughness, wisdom and stamina to succeed in business. I am grateful for it all.
If you only had $1000 dollars to start a new business, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
The same way I did, considering I started my business with about $1000. I had my company logo created for $150, I got my website done for $600 and the rest I invested in ordering my business cards. That gave me everything I needed to showcase my business and experience, to look professional and to be able to venture out, network and build relationships with confidence.
What is your favorite quote?
A quote that I made up.
“Without battles, you cannot be battle-tested; and without the prospect of failure, you cannot be victorious.”
– Ivan Thomas
What’s your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
You can either narrate your own story, or someone will happily write it for you, but you may not like what they have to say. Entrepreneurship is the best way to create the life that you desire, to establish financial freedom, and to leave a legacy behind that your family and those to follow can benefit from. However, you have to think BIG. You cannot think small. Small thinking will lead to small results. If you have a dream, if you have a vision for your life, do not allow anyone to talk you out of it. Anything that you desire in life is possible if you are willing to put in the work, believe in yourself, and tune out the haters. Your mindset is everything.
Who should we interview next and why?
James Hunt, The Celebrity Credit Guru. @whoisjameshunt on Instagram
How can we get in touch with you?
The best way to reach me is by visiting my website at Intriguemediagroup.com and using the contact info there. You can also reach me on Instagram at @ivanth3great. I look forward to hearing from you.
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