Meet Saiyidah Morris: Talent Manager & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Saiyidah Morris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Saiyidah, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I’ve lived by motto ‘No Risk, No Reward’ for so long I stopped hearing the negative connotation in the word risk. The reward in taking a risk is seeing a result, whether it’s the one you wanted or not. Taking risks in my life and career has forced me to learn faster and surrender control. I used to think think that the key to success was planning, but you can end up running in circles creating the “perfect plan” to execute. You have to start, TAKE the risk and not get caught up analyzing it.

What should our readers know about your business?
I started my own talent management agency where I also specialize in performance development. I also consult musicians and comics on how to establish their business foundations, which is something I’m most proud of. I meet a lot of talent people with great works already released, with no metadata or a true understanding of the industry. I managed talent part- time for a few years before I decided to venture out on my own. No part of the process was easy! I learned that, much like having children, you will never be “ready” to start a business. I also learned that learning is essentially discovering how much you really don’t know, and I find that exhilarating. I think knowing that with every obstacle comes a lesson learned, keeps me going. I love learning. I want the world to know that artists don’t have to starve and that creativity is not just a hobby. As a brand I intend to help as many artist understand that, and chip away at the taboos around creative careers.

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.
Wow! Challenge accepted. Start DTLA and work your way to the coast. I would suggest grabbing breakfast at Poppy + Rose as to not go to The Flower Mart on an empty stomach. Head to Los Feliz, to Mozza for Chicago deep-dish a crawfish pizza – there are no words for how good it is, but you can walk that off at Runyon on the way up to the Observatory. If you like flavorful food and sushi, add Far Bar in Little Tokyo the list, get the dragon roll! My Hollywood must stops are Stout burgers, As The Record Turns – a record stored owned by hip – hop legend Kevin Donan, and Mama Shelter for good food, drinks & the amazing rooftop. Hopefully that week there a show at the Palladium – always a good time. Nona’s at the Farmers Market gets a visit for their shrimp empanadas – yum – and treat yourself to the Nutella one if you can. Win – Dow in Santa Monica has super tasty burgers (plant based as well). Bottomless mimosas at Margot’s in Santa Monica has become a right of passage for anyone visiting my friends and I. At some point hopefully bike the Ballona Creek Path to the beach after a hot yoga class at Modo. Mostly, my favorite things surround music and food. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have an incredible tribe of friends and family that encourage, support and help me through the uncertainties of business. It takes a village to do anything, and form mine I am eternally grateful. However, my shoutout is dedicated to all the artists that haven’t “made it” yet. Those finding the power of independence and the confidence that art is and can be a career. They continuously inspire me to continue helping artists like themselves.

Website: www.nlartists.com

Instagram: @sadieyayo

Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/SaiyidahMorris

Image Credits
Raquel Phillip