Meet Randi Matthews | CEO and Founder, Multi-Hyphen Media
We had the good fortune of connecting with Randi Matthews and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Randi, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
My agency is called Multi-Hyphen Media. I named it that because I’ve always been a little bit of a Jacqueline of all trades. As I grew in the industry, I always had the mindset that I should be able to do everyone’s job so that I could make myself indispensable. As we all know, that’s not really a thing, but that was what was instilled in me as a young woman, so that’s how I have always operated. I try to be as knowledgeable about all the things that intersect in my industry as I can. And what I realized is that being in an agency had really siloed me and the skills that I had built. I was also being stifled in terms of growth, it seemed like the more I made everyone else look good, the less motivated people were to see me progress. So I stepped out on my own to start Multi-Hyphen Media.
On a surface level, Multi-Hyphen Media specializes in influencer marketing, celebrity procurement, social media strategy and brand partnerships. We are a boutique agency with a complete white glove service. I have been at prestigious global agencies my entire career, and have learned and seen a lot. This has allowed me the opportunity to curate an experience that really elevates a process in an industry that has been largely transitional and unregulated. My team is knowledgeable, dependable, proactive and innovative in all the best ways. We aren’t saddled with traditional agency politics, so we are able to deliver in a big way. We truly embody the multi-hyphenate spirit.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been in the media and entertainment industry for a long time. I won’t tell you how many years, but I have worked with some of the biggest names in the industry and been responsible for a lot of campaigns and programs that people still talk about. I have always been behind the scenes, so stepping out to start my own agency was a major life changing decision for me. I didn’t see a lot of people of color, especially as I started to age in the industry, let alone women of color, and that has drastically framed how I operate and move through my career. I always wanted to find a mentor, but I never could find one that felt like a safe space for me to really grow or ask questions or let’s be honest, had my best interest at heart. So I always had to figure everything out on my own, I made a lot of mistakes along the way. Unfortunately, this is not a unique experience, but as I’ve grown, I’ve been fortunate to develop peer-to-peer relationships, which has continued to serve me in this new iteration of my career. However, years of being overlooked and undervalued will have you doubting yourself, and I think having that experience has fueled one of my biggest passions in starting Multi-Hyphen Media, which is to make sure that I am mentoring, that I am helping to grow the field, that I am giving people the encouragement and also the insights to the industry that I never got. The fast tracks that a lot of people are given the opportunity to have, that in my experience, young people of color, specifically, aren’t. So, it wasn’t easy, but so worth it! I am so proud of where I started and everything that my small agency has accomplished and we are just getting started.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
OHH that is a tough one, I have a 4 year old so my nights out aren’t as frequent as I would like. However, I do consider myself a foodie and love to try new and interesting spots when I can. Two of the best meals I have had in LA were at Girl & The Goat and Otium. My husband and I love live music, so some sort of small listening party or an evening at the Hollywood Bowl is always a good time. We love to entertain so I would for sure have a dinner party at my house with a group of my friends, good music and dancing. Pop-up events, premiers etc, are always a good way to fill time…. and of course Brunch, pretty much anywhere with a bottomless mimosa where I can sit outside and soak up some vitamin D.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, I have to shoutout my family, they have supported me on my journey without any hesitation. I have always had so much support and encouragement and that really goes a long way. My husband, especially! We are really a team and I am so thankful for that. There are so many other people I have been inspired by as well, people who I see really making a space for themselves in the world in a meaningful way. I could honestly be here all day listing people, but I will shoutout a few. Check out Cherrón Gardner @cgtheeventlife, Carla Santiago @coffeexchange, Danielle Penn @
Website: www.multihyphenmedia.com
Instagram: @multihyphenmedia
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randi-matthews/
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
