-
10 Questions with ... Nikki Martinez
September 7, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
1. Please tell us about your career journey?
It’s been a whirlwind of an adventure, but it all started after a summer internship at KSBJ. Susan O’Donnell encouraged me to get into radio and that’s when I started to take the journey seriously. Since graduating from Baylor University in Waco, TX, this Houston girl has worked at stations in New Hampshire, California, and different parts of Texas, before getting the job 8 years ago with KVNE/LIFT Worship!
2. Share the most challenging part of your career.
Time-management! Truthfully, when you wear different hats, you want to make sure you’re not letting one get trampled on and ignored, while the other gets all the attention. Finding the balance between prepping my shows, being on the air live, and making sure we pick just the right music for a listeners can be a challenge. But I’ll say this, it’s the thing that keeps me on my toes, where I feel God continues to stretch me, and does help me with time-management outside of work too!
3. The best coaching advice you've ever received was…
Take the first exit! I love to talk (just ask my family), yet not everyone will stay with you or your story if you talk forever. So finding a way to share what you want to share, whether by yourself or with a team show, means really being smart with your words and getting out when you can! Don’t let pride or ego get in the way – you’re not that special and no one, except yourself, is aware if you finished your break with a pretty bow.
4. How do you continue learning and growing?
I am so thankful I have a leadership team who allows us to go to CMB sessions and Momentum, that gives us the freedom to ask questions and bring up suggestions to help our sound or shows (even if they may cost money), and we have an awesome consultant in Chuck Finney! These 3 tools truly have helped me continue to grow!
5. What’s one thing you wish you’d known about radio when you first started?
It is not the end of the world if you lose your job!! That first time WRECKED me, and even got into my head (and sadly, it didn’t help that what was said as I was being let go was very toxic). But I am thankful that I had family who supported me and Susan O’Donnell as a mentor who kept encouraging me that radio is truly where she felt God calling me to.
6. Tell us about someone in our industry who you really respect and why?
The Morning Cruise with Dave, Bill and Carmen. They are full of knowledge and wisdom, have such an entertaining show, show such great work ethic, and love the Lord with their whole hearts (and are NEVER ashamed of that). Each one brings something to the table, on and off the air, and it is so cool to see and hear what’s next. If you ever get a chance to talk to any of the 3 (or all 3), take the time to do it! Ask them questions, pick their brains – you won’t regret it.
7. What would surprise people most about you?
I am a massive nerd and geek! You may get glimpses of this on my social media, but not to the full extent. And when I say big nerd and geek, I mean HUGE:
Played Bassoon for 10 years of life, was in choir, did marching band for 8 years, was a Film & Digital Media major in school (and have a MASSIVE DVD collection to prove it), skipped 8th grade, was number 47 in my graduating class of 485 students, loves NASA, cried a little at Harry Potter World, and the list could go on and on :D
8. What’s on your nightstand?
Tissues, usually a cup of water, our TV remotes, and the book I’m helping co-lead for the summer, “Stop Calling Me Beautiful” by Phylicia Masonheimer
9. What are you most excited about this year?
Getting to see my grandma in San Antonio that we haven’t seen in almost 2 years, getting to HOPEFULLY take my family to Nashville for the first time, and our Fall Auditorium Test (yes, it’s like Christmas for me when those results come in :D )
10. What do you do for fun?
Right now, spending time with my husband and almost 2 year old daughter, Izzy and going places with her that most would see as “regular” places…but experiencing them through her eyes. Also, love a good board game night, wine tasting, amusement parks, and trying new restaurants/food!
-
-