Demetria Lucas on Career Pivots, Multiple Income Streams, and Global Travel

From Blogging to Media Empire

• 💡 Demetria Lucas began her career editing romance novels before launching a blog about dating and relationships, which stemmed from a lack of representation in media.
• ✍️ This blog led to her first job as a relationship editor at Essence magazine, a full-circle moment given her later work on the show 'Harlem'.
• 🚀 She leveraged her blog's success and her role at Essence to write her first book, a dating memoir, often working on it during her commute.

Navigating Career Transitions and Income Streams

• 💼 Lucas transitioned from a full-time editorial role to freelance writing for Essence.com, earning more while gaining flexibility.
• 🎙️ Her podcast, 'Ratchet and Respectable,' started as a 90-day experiment but evolved into her full-time focus, generating significant recurring revenue.
• 🌍 She has expanded her ventures to include a travel company leading trips to Ghana and Cape Town, podcast merchandising, and consulting on TV shows.

Embracing Entrepreneurship and Personal Growth

• ✈️ After living in LA and finding it unfulfilling, Lucas moved to Ghana, inspired by its transformative impact on her perspective and desire to share it with others.
• 💰 She emphasizes the importance of financial planning, saving diligently, and having a safety net, like returning to her parents' home, to mitigate the risks of entrepreneurship.
• 🗺️ Lucas plans her ventures and travel meticulously, with a calendar extending into 2026, demonstrating a structured approach to her diverse business interests.

Building a Personal Brand and Taking Risks

• 🗣️ Lucas advises aspiring journalists and entrepreneurs to write with passion, be opinionated, and have something meaningful to say to stand out.
• 🌟 She advocates for a "do it scared" mentality, encouraging individuals to pursue their passions by filling a void or offering a unique perspective.
• 🤝 Her success is attributed to laser focus, a strong support system of parents and friends, and a willingness to take calculated risks.

New Ventures and Future Outlook

• 📚 Her upcoming book, "Sawsome World," is a coffee table book compiling her global adventures, blending personal stories with travel guidance.
• 📱 TikTok is a key resource for discovering trends and travel recommendations, a shift from her previous reliance on Pinterest.
• ✨ Lucas's approach to life and business is characterized by adaptability, a focus on enjoyment, and a belief in manifestation, as seen in her desire to work with figures like Barack Obama.