Startup Story
Erica Paiva is a creative woman entrepreneur from Mozambique who decided to use her own unique skills as a tv host, writer, actress, master of ceremony, and event planner to create a niche, personal brand in the marketplace. Erica’s brand has been in the market for 7 years, but she has been working for a total of 15 years.
LoA chatted to the multi-faceted creative entrepreneur, Erica Paiva, this month to learn more about her personal media brand building.
What does your company do?
My company does a bit of everything. I plan and produce events, I'm also a Master of Ceremonies and actress. I also have a social media department that creates live streams with guests on Facebook called Descomplicando Sentimentoscom a Erica Paiva.
“I thought that to have a company I needed it to have a focus on a product and several employees until I realized that I was my own product due to so many skills.”
“I want to establish my name in the market and help others that have the same dreams of becoming a tv host, actress, events producer and so on.”
What inspired you to start your company?
I thought that to have a company I needed it to have a focus on a product and several employees until I realized that I was my own product due to so many skills that I had up my sleeve.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
I'm passionate in everything I do, and most of all I do it with love.
Tell us a little about your team
For now, I'm working alone, but I have a partnership with some agencies.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I don't come from an entrepreneurial background. I have worked in the communication sector since I was 16 years old, I started with the role as Master of Ceremony, and later I started planning and producing events. After 5 years of experience in that sector, I decided to work as a tv host which gave me an idea to use my new skills to start making movies.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I want to establish my name in the market and help others that have the same dreams of becoming a tv host, actress, events producer and so on. I also hope that I can use my skills to launch three books, the first one will be this year.
“Sometimes we just need to look in the mirror and believe in us - so beautiful, embrace your power and shine.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
To be able to learn every day and use my skills as a tool for my success.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Stop thinking that you can only start up by selling other people’s products and brands. Start by looking at you, who are you, what you can do to help make a better world. Sometimes, your own skill can be modified to help others, so look out of the box, and believe me, you may be surprised with yourself.
I thought that I needed a lot to open my own company until someone helped me see that I was the product that I needed to sell. Sometimes we just need to look in the mirror and believe in us - so beautiful, embrace your power and shine.
Contact or find out more about Erica Paiva
FACEBOOK | EMAIL ericapaiva0212@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it…
So many women entrepreneurs starting out in business struggle to find their niche or their industry sector where they can make their mark. But for some, their niche lies in their ability to harness their own specific skills and build a business around a personal brand and skillset. Erica Paiva is doing just that, successfully leveraging the strength of her experience as a Master of Ceremonies and a tv and media expert, and is now helping others to do the same. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa