#ShareYourStory Introducing the Creative Powerhouse Dr. Sonja Elise Freeman

January 18, 2025
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Featured, Winning Mindset, Woman on the Move

Can you tell us what it is that you do and what makes your business unique?

I have been a multimedia producer and small business consultant for over 20 years, where I have worked with some very influential and award-winning professionals nationwide. What makes my business unique is I only work with creatives. All of my clients are musicians, photographers, models, fashion designers, authors, sports athletes, actors, and artists. I am a musician, and I know what it’s like to balance both my business and creativity to achieve financial success. Divine Voices Media has recently celebrated our 20th Anniversary on August 22, 2024, and we are elated by the progress we have achieved working with all of our past and present clients.

What are the most impactful life lessons (or the ONE most important lesson) that you’ve learned to date in relation to the woman you’ve become?

The ONE most important lesson I have learned to date that has helped me to become the woman I am today is there are no such words as “I can’t!” I learned this while I was an undergrad at Prairie View A&M University College of Arts and Sciences from the late Dr. Ruby N. Hebert, Voice Teacher. I started college at 17 years old, and at my first voice lesson, Dr. Hebert told me in this voice studio, that there is no such thing as the words “I can’t!” She said you must try to know if you can or cannot do anything in life, especially in this voice studio! I NEVER forgot her words. There were many things I had to try as an entrepreneur because either I could not afford to hire someone to do it, or I needed it done quickly, and I had no choice but to do it myself.

How do you personally feel that YOU empower women? What does that mean to you?

I personally empower women daily with my social media posts via my “Diva’s Diamonds” Words to Inspire, Empower, and Encourage, and twice a month my podcast I have been producing for 14 years. I have also had a yearly Diva’s Diamonds Conference online since 2019. Empowering women means everything to me because I give to the world what I would like to receive. For many years I have wanted a mentor and someone to empower and inspire me. I find empowerment and inspiration from my best girlfriends nationwide and also near where I live.

How important has mentorship been to your success?

I have to admit I have had more “Mentors-in-my-Head” than actual mentors because of time, distance, and inability to connect with women I would love to have as a mentor. Over the years, my “Mentors-in-my-Head” that I have watched, studied, and admired their work ethic, success, and achievements in this world are Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Phyllis Hyman, Chaka Khan, Oprah Winfrey, Vivica A. Fox, Cicely Tyson, Maya Angelou, and Michelle Obama. All of these amazing women have inspired and given me great hope in striving for my musical, educational, and business goals over the years. It is extremely important to have mentors who give you hope toward achieving your own dreams and goals. For me, I was okay with not actually knowing my mentors. It was enough to follow their successes and to make a plan of action to succeed in my own goals.

What are 5 things that have helped you have success in business that every entrepreneur must do to grow?

1.) Be intentional-I learned over the years that it is very important to be intentional with every single goal you set yourself as an entrepreneur.

2.) Keep your blinders on-Do not look to the left or the right when forging ahead towards your goals because you can get caught up in the wrong things that will hinder your growth and progression toward success.

3.) Stay focused-Life will be lifing, but it is up to you to stay on track with your daily, weekly, and monthly goals that you set for yourself and your company.

4.) Never stop learning-I am presently working on my PhD in Education because there are some goals I want to achieve that require this credential. Whatever field you are pursuing, make sure you are updating yourself on the latest technology, salary projections, verbiage, and practices that will keep you sharp and ahead of others in your field.

5.) Enjoy the journey-You may have heard this before and it is very true. I highly recommend celebrating your small and large successes. Take the time to celebrate yourself and how far you have come. If you do not celebrate you who else will? It is not always about always reaching a destination or goal. It’s the entire journey, the process, the people, places, and things you learn along the way that make you into the phenomenal person you are today!

What is one thing that you would have done differently at the beginning or height of your career/journey? Why?

I would have written down a plan for success. I did not understand the importance of writing down exactly what I wanted to accomplish with my company until 10 to 15 years into working with clients and producing my Broadway shows, radio shows, and podcasts. If you do not plan, you plan to fail. It is very true. You must type or write down what exactly you want to do and accomplish to fulfill the goal exactly the way that you envision it to be. There will be hiccups, but if you have what you want written down to get accomplished, life will be so much easier for you and your company.

What were some times over the course of your career that you’ve had to reinvent yourself?

It seems like every day I’m reinventing myself! LOL! Truth be told, I believe I am reinventing myself every year. I create a vision board electronically and post it on my laptop and cell phone on January 1st and I create it as a flier to look at it every day to visualize what I want to accomplish for the year. Some years, it works, and some years, I do not accomplish a thing on the vision board if I do not look at it every day. I do reinvent myself yearly. I am not the same person each year, so I have to reflect on the new me.

How has reinventing yourself and your brand helped you in business?

Reinventing myself yearly helps tremendously because I have a new mindset, goals, achievements, paths to take, and people to meet. I do not do the same thing twice. I have learned if I give my best to something and I do not win or excel in a greater way, I need to go down another path or direction and surround myself with people who will receive me and what I have to offer.

What are some daily, weekly, or monthly practices that help you protect your mental health?

I absolutely pray all day every day. That is a must. I have learned the hard way not to include prayer in my daily life. I have quiet time most of the day. I work from home, and some days I work without any music or talking. I’m a vocalist, podcaster, and public speaker, and I am constantly on voice rest. I drink tea, especially Earl Grey Tea with brown sugar and cream in the morning or Chamomile Tea in the evening with honey. These teas are like Heaven to me! I love to listen to educational, motivational, and thought-provoking podcasts and documentaries. I love learning. My name, Sonja means wisdom. I can’t imagine a day without filling my brain with more wisdom, love and peace daily.

What books have helped you grow personally or professionally?

First and foremost, the Holy Bible. For the last 20 years that I have been on a “Faith Walk” as a woman of God and entrepreneur, this book has helped me to grow all across the board. I have also read Good to Great in God’s Eyes by Chip Ingram, The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson, Pursuing Your Purpose: How to Discover God’s Revelation For Your Life by Carl Mathis, and my own anthology Diva’s Diamonds Ultimate PINK Diamonds Collection Anthology by Queen Diva.