Mikki Taylor Lays Out Seven Laws for Business Emergence

*Please forgive the low-res audio recording; however, the message is still just as powerful.*

A single on-air word mix-up shouldn’t be a business lesson, but the way QVC handled a viral wig blooper by Toni Brattin, turns it into a sharp, modern PR playbook. We talk through why the recovery worked: the hosts stayed human, the brand didn’t panic, and they collaborated with the internet’s creator energy instead of trying to shut it down. If you care about public relations, personal branding, and protecting trust when things get awkward in public, you’ll take notes.

Then we shift from pop culture PR to real-world visibility and business growth in Dallas, Texas, where Leah attends an NCTRCA gala focused on small business recognition, supplier diversity, and the power of being in the right rooms with the right message. The highlight is an excerpt from the legendary Mikki Taylor, Editor-At-Large at Essence Magazine and a longtime authority in beauty, style, and communications, sharing what she calls the seven laws of emergence.

Her blueprint is practical: diversify your revenue, become indispensable, build relationship capital, define a brand people can’t ignore, master tomorrow’s tools today, earn authority in the attention economy, and build systems so your purpose scales beyond your presence. If you’ve been feeling stretched, unseen, or overly dependent on one pipeline, this will reset how you think about resilience, visibility, and leadership.

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Transcript

Welcome To PR Yourself

SPEAKER_02 0:00

So, are you ready to PR yourself? We'll remove the mystery from all things PR and we'll discuss everything from our top strategies to tips and tricks and everything that you can utilize to further enhance your brand or your message. I've been in media, I'm a journalist, and I'm also a publicist. I am Leah Fraser, CEO of Think3Media, and your host for PR Yourself with Leah Frasier. Let's go. And welcome back to PR Yourself with Leah Frazier, the space where entrepreneurs, creators, and go-getters learn how to elevate their message, own their narrative, and build the visibility that they deserve. I am your host, Leah Fraser, CEO of Think Through Media, based out of Dallas, Texas, and I'm so glad to be with you on yet another week to talk all things PR.

The QVC Blooper And The Rebound

SPEAKER_02 0:53

But before we get into our episode for today, I just want to say this PR blunder made me laugh so hard that I have watched this video again and again and again. And the spoofs that have come out of this blooper is just it's global, it's worldwide. And I'm pretty sure some of you may have seen it, but there was a QVC segment where Tony Bratton was on and they were talking about wigs, and she had one of the wigs on um her head, and so she was her back and the back of the wig was facing the camera. And instead of saying that it looks like a natural blowout, she actually says blowjob, and it is just hilarious to see this slip up on live TV. I think that what makes it one of my PR topics of the week for us to just chat through briefly is just the way that they recovered. I mean, it completely mortifying. I know. Um, there's a part of the video where she just after she can't recover. She kind of chuckles and then she just dips down, and you don't see her in the frame anymore. And but what happened afterwards was just all of the creators uh taking a hold of this video, making different spoofs about it, and then herself and QVC, them sharing it and collaborating with a lot of the creator posts to really just poke fun at themselves. And I just think this was probably the best rebound from a PR perspective. Um, I'm curious to know if she sold out of those wigs because it's so funny. People were like, well, if that's what's happening with those wigs, I'll take like 20 of them. So things like that, and you know, in a playful way. Uh, and then you see how brands recover when it comes to um just I wouldn't call it a crisis, it was an obvious slip-up, but um, just to see how they recovered in a humorous way, a relatable way. It shows her um human side, and uh all of the late night talk shows picked it up as well, instead of issuing that standard PR statement and we're sorry, and you know, to carry on with the joke with the rest of us was actually quite fun. So here's a clip of it in case you missed it.

SPEAKER_03 3:23

I love to show the texture and this wave pattern. Again, it looks like you went and got a blowjob at your uh blowout at your salon. Oh my god, and it looks beautiful.

SPEAKER_00 3:41

All right, so here's what's happening today. We're having a huge beauty sale. Everything ships to you for free, but that goes away at the end of the day. I will remind you that this is a one-time only price where the price goes up at the end of the show, not the end of the day.

SPEAKER_02 3:57

Now, didn't I tell you that's hilarious? That's kind of like, you know, the older aunties or, you know, talking about some stuff they ain't got no business talking about. But kudos to QVC and a big kudos for Tony Bratton and the additional hostess of the show for really just recovering with grace, keeping the joke going, keeping the laughs going. We really needed it during this time, and it's probably folks are online saying that it is their top TV blooper of the year. So I guess congrats are in order.

MET Gala In Dallas Sets Stage

SPEAKER_02 4:31

And going ahead and moving on, we're gonna go ahead and get into the show. I actually had something else planned for this week's episode from Gary V, but we're gonna air that next episode because it is absolutely fascinating. If you guys aren't seeing this trend unfold online, I can't wait to share it with you. Um, but I had the opportunity here in Dallas to go to an event presented by the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency known as NCTRCA. It was entitled A Night at the MET Gala 2026 out in Arlington, Texas. And MET was an acronym for Momentum Excellence and Transformation. And so it was an evening that honored small businesses, um, enterprises that helps with certif, you know, certifying and doing supplier diversity with businesses. So it was an excellent, excellent Gala. I mean, absolutely beautiful, stunning. They really did an incredible job. But once I heard that the legendary Mickey Taylor was going to be the keynote speaker, I was like, I gotta be there because they had emailed me, like, hey, you know, do you want to come to this event? And then even further, do you want to cover his press? And I was like, only if I get to have an exclusive with Mickey Taylor. And so I did have the opportunity to interview Mickey exclusively. So that will be another bonus episode here on PR Yourself with Leah Frazier, as well as the video going up on YouTube. And some of the quotes from our discussion will also be shared on social media, but also in my write-up that's forthcoming with this iconic, iconic woman. But I recorded her keynote, and I'm not gonna play the whole thing because, out of fairness for those who bought a ticket and all of that, um, definitely not gonna do that. However, as she was rounding out her keynote discussion, she left us with seven points as business owners. And so I want to play that for you all so you can have an idea of just what magic she was creating and inspiration and in the words we need to carry on when we feel like this entrepreneur thing is tough, you know. And she's a woman that believes in purpose, she's a woman that, and I would say divine purpose. She believes in nobody can do what you can do, and so she's amazing. If you don't know much about Mickey Taylor, she's a popular writer, she's a motivational speaker, she's a TV personality. She is known affectionately as the country's leading authority on beauty and style for women of color. She is a trailblazer. Mickey Taylor was one of the first to go into those rooms to go into the beauty industry and really advocate for black women. She's a media veteran with more than three decades under her belt. She's currently the editor at large for Essence Magazine, the president of Mickey Taylor Enterprises LLC, which is a strategic branding, consulting, and communications company. And she has several critically acclaimed books under her belt, self-seduction and commander in chic. So after we get back from the break, you're gonna hear from Mickey Taylor, and she's gonna leave you with seven inspiring points to really light a fire under your behind to keep you going in this business. One that she knows you were designed for and that your audience is waiting for you. And don't give up. You have what it takes. And so we'll be back after the break.

Sponsor Break

SPEAKER_02 8:12

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SPEAKER_01 8:51

This episode is brought to you by Kitcaster. Kitcaster books you on top podcasts. How do funded startup founders attract prospects and talent? Podcast interviews. How do entrepreneurs with exits find new deals? Podcast interviews. How do C-Suite execs differentiate in crowded markets? Podcast interviews. Kitcaster books you on top podcasts. Click the link in the show notes for a special offer. Celebrate good conversation.

Mickey Taylor Laws One Through Three

SPEAKER_04 9:22

And so my soul's intention tonight is to prepare your metaphorical toothbags for what you need to take forward. And what you need to leave behind was in order to think you've got to turn the light. Where is your soul saying? Where is your soul saying? Because they're never going to have to define your wife. Because knowledge is only when it's applied. And purpose is never fulfilled until it is activated. So don't leave here till he nearly inspired. Leave the commission. Leave the commission. And with that, I'll leave you with a blueprint. What I call the seven laws of emergence that I know distinguishes those who simply navigate change from those who define it. So, law number one, diversify your future. Diversify your future. Build a business that no single customer, contract, or circumstances. One revenue stream is not a strategy, it's a dependency. It's a dependency. Maybe you need a 12-step program, I'm telling you about the objective. I'm sorry, yeah, Tom does have no field time. The objective is expand your revenue, not just your reach. Create multiple pathways to revenue because the stronger your revenue ecosystem, the greater your resilience. This is what will future-proof your business. So invest in new markets, new capabilities, new technology, new partnerships, new intellectual property. Don't build only for today's opportunity. Build a company that will still be thriving when the marketplace changes again because we win. Then again, build a business that creates a new market. So know to sell, protect itself. Never allow one source to become your business strategy. Law number two, become indispensable instead of competitive. How about that? Become more valuable. Ask what problem do I solve that no one else solves the same way? How can your business deliver what the audience never dream they wanted? That's your competitive advantage. Note yourself. Certification may open the door. Your value and innovation are what keeps you on speed down and central in the group. Law number three: build relationship capital. Build relationships before you need them. Relationships are your wealth. I have been able to pick up the phone and get folks to do stuff in Hollywood that somebody else had to pay for. Come on now. Relationships. I just finished a documentary. And I got Denzel Washington in the documentary. Hey, I'm telling you, I listen. All I have is a truth. I have Usher in the documentary. Yeah. Many entrepreneurs network only when they're looking for business. But today's success calls for building strategic relationships continuously. I tell young people that everything old is an antiquated because you know they think old people don't know anybody doing that anymore. Yeah they are. Yeah they are. And what you're doing, how's that working for you? Yeah, they are. Because the elders, what they relied on, they relied on fellowship. Networking in their minds was transactional. It was like sex. Oh, yeah. It was transactional and sorry. It was. It was what can I do for you? What can you do for me? But fellowship, well, fellowship was richer. It was a vested interest whereas people got to know one another and they formed lasting relationships and partnerships, so and so that they can pick up the phone and one another and move possibility into reality. Fellowship. From this perspective, relationships create referrals, joint ventures, introductions, investment. Without the need for a caveat. Look, if you have to pick up the phone and say, um, hey, so-and-so, you may not remember me, but we met at bam, you were networking. You were networking, you weren't fellowshipping, and you missed the fellowship opportunity. Now you gotta build a bridge. You gotta audition for your value, you gotta get so-and-so to remember you. You gotta take the long way home for a request for a request that they ultimately be denied. Because you were networking. Note to self, don't collect contacts. You got cards and phone numbers and your phone, you want to know who they are. Get rid of that app. You're not using it. You can find without it. Just take enough space. Your storage is full, differently. Don't collect contacts, cultivate relationships and ultimately champions because your future success will in part be determined by who trusts you enough to speak your name when you're not going to be able to do it. I was working on the essence black women in Hollywood War, and I called Christina Spielberg because I love bringing people together who might not otherwise meet. And yet they call me back, they call me back when I see I have this thing for fashion and beauty. And I was when they called me back, I was looking at jewelry, and the phone kept ringing, and I was like, What is it? And I answered the phone. This is Mark and So-So. I'm calling from Stephen from Spielberg's office, and I was like, oh yes. But yeah, so Stephen's in Europe, and I'm trying to get him for you. Relationships. You're wealth.

Define Your Brand And Use Tech

SPEAKER_04 15:38

Vlog number four, become the brand they can't ignore. Define your distinction. If you can't articulate your tennises and why you matter, don't expect the marketplace to discover your revelation. It's not gonna happen. People don't invest in what they don't understand. And they have to scratch your head up their head about what you're doing, and I call it. Your competitors can match your pricing, they can uh imitate your products, they can try to replicate your services, but they cannot duplicate your story, your purpose, or the unique way you create value. Own your guarantee, communicate your distinction. At every touch point, anything that bears your name, your company's name, must have your imprint in your distinction. Give people an undeniable evidence of who you are and what you stand for. The note to self is this if you fail to communicate your distinction, the marketplace will overlook your contribution. Law number five. Master tomorrow's tools today. I put it this way I can see Bob or Eva Ray. Someone's influence in someone's business. Make sure that it's yours. Here's what that looks like. Automate the routine so you can elevate the remarkable. How about that? Let technology handle the repetitive task while you focus on leadership, innovation, and relationships. You listen too long. And you got three people working for you at Lisa, and they got time to go out for lunch and of course shopping stuff, and you work for you. What? You say I'd sharpen your strategy, not replace your judgment. I remember one time I was working with Chat GP and I had put all this information in the case. And it said, oh well, that's you got a good thing going here. That's as far as we can go. I said, later for you. Technology can analyze data, but wisdom still makes decisions. On your digital presence. If your business can't be found, understood, and trusted online, you're in a visible. Use data to make decisions, not assumptions. No guys, audience. Track your results and let insight, not instinct alone, guide your growth. Yeah, that's good. Invest in technology to create capacity. Buy back your time. I've been trying to get six more hours in a day, it's not gonna happen. So I'm gonna buy back my time with technology. Yep. Buy that so you could spend it building the business instead of constantly running it. There's a difference. Upskill yourself and your team. The businesses that learn the fastest will buy the longest. And know yourself. Let technology multiply your purpose before it multiplies someone else's advantage.

Earn Authority And Build Purpose

SPEAKER_04 18:43

Law number six all the conversation of surrender the opportunity. All the conversation of surrender the opportunity. That's the way it goes. And the conversation now is global. Really is. In today's attention economy, invisibility is the fastest path to irrelevance. Become the voice before you become the vendor. How about that? Lead the conversation before you pass for the contract. Educate before you negotiate. Stop waiting to be discovered. Become impossible to ignore. That's right. Demonstrate your value consistently until the marketplace begins looking for you instead of you constantly looking for it. Give people a reason to remember you and a reason to recommend you. And the note to sell fear is don't compete for attention, earn authority. Earn authority. Because attention maybe you notice for the authority that you chose. And finally, law number seven. Build your empire a purpose. Don't build a business that depends on your presence. You don't have to find just one of you. One to go around. Be a hurricane that multiplies leadership, expands opportunity, and transforms lives. Build systems, not dependencies. Build infrastructure, not bottlenecks. Build leaders, not vowels. Because a purpose that depends solely on you will never reach everyone it was created to serve. Every leader you develop extends your vision, expands your impact, and strengthens your empire. And so the note to self here is an empire of purpose isn't measured by what you achieve for yourself, but by the opportunities you create, the leaders you develop, and how many others rise because of what you build. In closing, notice every architecture leaves a signature of what they build. History has handed you the blueprint. Purpose has given you the assignment. Leadership has entrusted you with the responsibility not making count. Thank

Leah Wraps Up With A Challenge

SPEAKER_04 21:07

you.

SPEAKER_02 21:07

Now, wasn't that absolutely phenomenal? Y'all have no idea when I was at the event, I had to turn my chair, like literally angle it to her, and I felt bad because my back was to my friend that was that was next to me because I was all tapped in. I was just drawn in to what she said. She's just such a great keynote speaker. So thank you so much, Mickey Taylor, for pouring into us. Thank you once again to the NCTRCA organization for just a phenomenal event. I hope this guy's I hope it's blessed you as much as it has blessed me. Again, you're gonna want to keep it locked in here to PR yourself with Leah Frazier because I will be releasing Mickey and I's interview, just like I do with all the other interviews that I do. Um when I do write-ups, so like we have Pinky Cole on here, uh Devon Franklin, all of those interviews. I don't think I dropped Black Street yet, so I should do that one soon too. Um, but anytime I get interviews like that, I definitely upload them here for you guys so you can be inspired um just as much as they inspire me. So keep it locked in. We'll have more from Mickey Taylor here in the next upcoming weeks. But if you liked what you heard, you know what you're gonna do. You're gonna like, you're gonna comment, you're gonna share, leave us a rating and a review. So many of you guys on last week's episode on TikTok shop either emailed me that you had signed up or commented on our post on social media, started following Carrie Bonner, I mean, message Carrie. So thank you guys so much for tuning in. I know sometimes when we do these podcasts, we think we're we're we're screaming into an echo chamber, but to know that you guys are listening and sharing the content and actually executing on the content uh means so, so, so, so much for me. So, we'll definitely do a follow-up, follow-up on TikTok shop and all that uh later on in this year. But again, thank you so much. So, do the same with this episode. If it really hits you in in the heartstrings and you know another entrepreneur who needs to hear this boost of inspiration, please share. It does nothing to send a text message on this podcast episode or or share this with someone in an email or text thread, or we can be in the group chat, however you want to do it. But thank you once again for tuning in and until next time.