For Women’s History Month I will be sharing the stories that define and provide examples of women empowerment, uplifting stories of personal triumph and businesses that are inspiring and are making a difference for women. Women’s History Month is a declared month each year that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.
I want to introduce you to Deidre Gaskin, Entrepreneur and Publicist.
Deidre Gaskin is a God-fearing servant, award winning publicist, and business owner. Known by some as a former athlete but known to most as one of the best publicists in the city, Deidre continues to make an impact in her industry. As the owner of Lifestyle and Sports Public Relations Firm MayLee Media and Creator of “It’s Just PR”, Deidre has a passion for exposing the unexposed and branding the unknown. Deidre received her undergraduate degrees from THE GSU, Georgia State University. She holds two Bachelors from the institution in Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations and Film and Video. In addition to receiving her Bachelors, Deidre also obtained her MBA in Sports Management from Lynn University. Deidre is also the recipient of Apex Society’s Power 30 Under 30, nominated by ACHI Magazine for Entrepreneur of the Year, ATL’s Hottest for Hottest Publicist and a member of Forbes The Culture. Deidre has worked with brands and personalities such as WNBA Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes, BET, Project Runway’s Rafael Cox Designs, Celebrity Hair stylist KeKe Taylor of the Shear Genius Collection, 702’s Meelah Williams, Exclusive Vodka, Hewlett- Packard, the American Basketball Association, Business Conference MogulCon, TVOne, Real Housewives of Atlanta and other notable brands. One quote that Deidre lives by is “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough,” Og Mandino. Deidre Palode- Gaskin is a proud believer, devoted wife and fur mom. When she’s not serving others, she enjoys just spending time with her family, taking care of herself and regrouping for whatever is next.
Here is HERstory:
It’s not like the average entrepreneur. I wanted to play sports LOL.That’s all I knew and wanted to know. I grew up in poverty and still fighting that curse til this day so being my own boss was foreign. From poverty, Hurricane Katrina, domestic violence, death you name it, I’m pushing through it. My firm was birth from my support system and the matriarch of my family, my grandmother so for me it’s more than just a business, it’s my life… it’s my ministry.
Her business is MayLee Media- PR and Marketing Firm.
What does women empowerment mean to you?
To not be afraid of another woman women. To truly celebrate her during that time while you’re waiting on yours without ill intentions.
What advice or words of inspiration would you like to share with someone?
Do what God says, nothing or no one else matters.
What do you want your legacy to be?
I want my legacy to be that Deidre was a real one. She didn’t cut corners, she treated people right, and she genuinely wanted to see and help others win.
What inspires you?
I guess the unknown and the fear of failure. I don’t want to leave this world the way I came in.
What kind of impact do you want to have on those around you?
I’m human. Just because I’m a believer in Jesus Christ and I am an entrepreneur doesn’t mean I have it all together. As a matter of fact, I’m more hard on myself than anyone because I literally have to go make it happen. I want people to understand me and I want them to be able to relate to me so that the positive change can happen in this world.
What does self care mean to you?
Unplug, unfriend, unfollow and block. LOL. It’s okay to say no and to dismiss anything or anyone that is fighting with your peace and your piece of mind.
When did you realize entrepreneurship was right for you?
When I didn’t have a choice. LOL. I wanted Corporate America, a corporate check and corporate benefits to match but when the companies I was working for all of sudden laid off, or discontinued God pushed me into it. That was over 5 years ago.
Why did you choose entrepreneurship?
It chose me. Even now, I want to go work for someone else because of the stability because entrepreneurship has a lot of downs no one wants to talk about. But looking at it, I hope I’m making a difference and I’m not selling a dream but building a reality.
What would you say is your most driving motivation to keep doing what you to do?
My husband and the fear of failure. Faith would have been such a cliche answer but even that wavers so it’s a fight to get up every morning to do what you love in an industry that doesn’t love you back.
What are you most excited or passionate about? (In both business and life or both)
I’m excited about trying to get right and be the best woman, the best wife, the best daughter, the best mother, the best publicist and entrepreneur I could possibly be. Whatever that looks like to God, I’m good.
What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your business and personally?
To be the first billionaire in my family and build businesses and homes so my family won’t have to struggle financially anymore.
Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are, what you believe in and what you’re committed to in your work and life? Tell me about them.
Anje Collins was one of my first mentors in the PR Game. Schlonda McCarthan was one of my first mentors in the film industry. Both ladies saw me and took a chance and taught me a lot about the industry. Dee Dee Cocheta (RIP) gave me a chance to work at her firm when no one else wanted to. Saptosa Foster was one of the first publicists to actually invite me and my clients to a red carpet. Dr. Rhonda and Pastor Nick Travitt’s prayers and sermons encouraged me in more ways than one. My husband, honestly without him, I would probably be in a corner crying somewhere LOL. And my mom, she’s always been a fan whether it was in sports or in life. She has no idea what I do but she supports me all the way LOL
Did you have any life-changing experiences that put you on the path that led you to be doing what you’re doing today? Tell me about them.
After my breakup, I wanted to do away with PR, move and just start a new career but I felt like that’s what the enemy wanted so I stood tall, ten toes down and although a lot of people hate me for it … I’m still here… still doing PR…still helping people…still making money….still standing.
What’s next for you in your business/brand? What can readers look forward to from you?
More sports work. I got my MBA in Sports Management in 2019 but COVID hit a year later so I’m really working to build more sports clientele and become one of the industry’s best kept weapon. #SportsPublicist
Is there anything else you would like to share with me?
I live my life like Christ, Wife, Life… in that exact order and I started a page to showcase that. If you follow me, you know I’m a believer first, a wife second and everything else falls into place. So follow @ChristWifeLife on IG and Facebook for more to come.
PRETTY WOMEN HUSTLE ONLINE 