10 Questions with ... Tara J

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started in radio in 1998. It so happened that I had a friend who worked in the traffic department at the time. The company was looking for a receptionist and my friend put in a good word for me and that’s how I got my foot in the door to start my career in radio. I went from the receptionist to the traffic department within months. After about two years I was asked by one of the on-air personalities if I would host a one hour show with them called “Sista 2 Sista” and of course I said yes. I had never been on the air a day in my life, but it seemed like a fun thing to do so I jumped and got my foot in the door on the on-air side of things. Moving forward to 2006, that is the year I started on a brand-new Urban AC station that was just launching in the Florence Market. I started an on-air shift overnights and then moved to weeknights, Monday-Friday. Ever since then, I’ve been on the airwaves. Moving forward to September 2019, I was offered a position in the Business Department as the Assistant Business Manager and am still in that position to this present day.

1. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

To put God first in everything I do.

2. How has radio changed in the past year?

I think Covid-19 not only gave radio renewed purpose but it has given new purpose to everyone and every business. This has really turned on many light bulbs on how businesses can change within a blink of an eye. Listeners definitely turn to radio in times like these to stay in the know of what is happening around them.

3. Would it be safe to say that your radio journey has been different?

I would say it’s unique because not many people can say that they’ve been in as many different departments as I have when it comes to radio. I’m so grateful to have been in this position because it taught me a lot about the radio business.

4. How have your goals changed over the years?

I would have to yes. I feel that it started out as just a fun job to have and changed into a career choice that I love doing.

5. Is there a particular approach to your air work?

I try to find out what is going on in our communities that everyone should know about. I try to get more of the local news out then what’s going on in the lives of celebrities. I love talking to the listeners and getting involved with how they’re feeling.

6. Who have been influencers and mentors in your career?

Wendy Williams is one of my biggest influencers. She started out in radio and now has her own TV talk show. I loved listening to her radio show every day. She has always been real. Never the phony stuff and I feel that I’m the same when it comes to that. Say what you mean and mean what you say. We as women can go as high as anyone when it comes to our careers. It is our choice.

7. What’s your number one strength?

Family. It may sound weird but being in radio has taught me to appreciate my family even more. The days I would be stressed out at work and then take the stress home with me was something I had to recognize was a no-no. I learned I had to separate the two.

When I’m around family, I feel the energy and the love that I can’t get anywhere else. Family is my strength.

8. How do you see radio?

I feel that radio is much more than entertainment. Radio can be your friend in difficult times and someone’s comfort zone. Radio can be the place to help your business grow. Radio helps so many people know what’s going on around them.

9. Any advice on how to solve problems?

I try to figure out the simplest step to handling the problem first. It’s not always necessary to get someone else (management) involved before you try the simple way first. For example; If I have a situation where the same commercial came up twice in my air shift back to back; I will contact the traffic department first to see what may have happen or say if the program director added the wrong mix during my show, I will talk with the program director first instead of the Ops Manager.

10. Would you share the funniest thing that ever happened to you in radio?

I was in the studio one night recording my show and noticed that I had a studio guest watching me. It was a mouse. I screamed until I couldn’t scream no more. It was funny, after I stopped screaming. At least he was enjoying the show.