Today we’d like to introduce you to Sylvia St. John-Martinez.
Sylvia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Since I was 7 years old, I knew that I wanted a career that utilized my “voice”, but I could not sing, so broadcasting was the next best option. I prepared for my craft as a young girl by doing speech and drama classes, oratory competitions, and eventually majoring in Communications, in which I got my degree, from the University of Texas at El Paso. It was there at the early age of 17 that one of my college professors mentioned that a local radio station KPRR – (Power 102) was auditioning for an over-night radio host. I went to the audition and with no official radio broadcasting experience, I managed to get the job and my first radio “gig” as they say in the industry.
Since then, radio broadcasting has been my career and I have been fortunate to work with some very talented radio hosts such as; Russ Parr, Tom Joyner, Kidd Kraddick, Anna Deharo and so many others. In addition, I worked at top radio stations on Dallas/Ft.Worth (100.3 JAMZ, KKDA – K104, Magic 102, 93.5 KZPS, 99.1 Kick FM, 106.1 KHKS – Kiss FM). It was afforded to me to get to work in almost every capacity that a radio station offers throughout my extensive radio broadcasting career, which prepared me for opening up, Fishbowl Radio Network and developing a new broadcasting model in 2009.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I always tell young people interested in getting into broadcasting, that my road was not your typical one. For starters, there is a saying in radio, “If you’ve never been fired from radio, you haven’t really been in radio.” I have never been fired. They also say, that you can count the success of your radio career by the size of your U-Haul, because radio people often have to move from market to market to move up in their careers. I have been blessed to only work in two markets for over 30 years. Where I got my start in El Paso, Texas and since 1989 in Dallas, the 4th largest radio market in the U.S. So, to answer your question, has it been a smooth road? Yes, for me it has. Where their struggles along the way? Of course, there are always challenges, however, none that ever felt too overwhelming for me to tackle or resolve.
I was privileged to work with the best Program Directors; such as Mr. Elroy Smith and Garry Reynolds and General Managers such as Brenda Fox. So, I am very grateful for those individuals and others that gave me opportunities in this business along the way.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Fishbowl Radio Network – what should we know?
Fishbowl Radio Network is an Internet Radio Network that specializes in allowing anyone to broadcast a show either from our beautiful studios located in Arlington, Texas or from anywhere in the WORLD. We are known for being the first to put a facility, training, and monetizing abilities for our clients, all while they get to host and build their brand for their own show. I am most proud of our amazing crew (staff) and our clients, known as fbrn.us Hosts or radio personalities. We opened in 2009 and have sustained as a new business model for 8 years! Each year we have grown our client host base and advertising clients. I believe what sets us apart from anyone who has tried to copy our business model is that we were the original and the over 30 years of radio broadcasting experience has helped to guide us to sustain for the last 8 years in this new radio broadcasting territory called, Internet Radio. The passion and commitment the crew, hosts and clients have for the vision is unparalleled. We all love what we do! It’s that passion that sets us apart more than anything. We want to continue to be the best in this industry and that drives us to work hard each day to stay there and continue to grow.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
For me, the quality that is most important to my success is to be fearless and grateful. Fearless, in always pushing to innovate in Internet Radio so that Fishbowl Radio Network continues to be the leader in this space by offering our clients services no one else does. And, grateful, because gratitude is the key to opening up more opportunities. The success of Fishbowl Radio Network has been the culmination of the people that have made up this network in the last 8 years, from its clients to its crew members. Thus, I am in constant gratitude for their contributions. I believe because I was taught very early on by my parents to stay grateful, that this characteristic has made all the difference.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2225 E. Randol Mill Rd. Ste: 427
Arlington, Texas 76011 - Website: www.fbrn.us
- Phone: 817633-4880
- Email: sammi@fishbowlradio.com
Image Credits:
Donna Patick
Hank Thorpe
Howard Scott
Angelo Martinez
Sammi G.
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