A Crown Heights entrepreneur is making big moves in her industry. Public relations director Jessica Lanice Chalmers, who goes by the name Empress Lanice is the founder of Empress Lanice Public Relations Agency, a public relations and marketing agency and Tha L. Spot productions, her multi-media arm for television, film, and event producing. Now the 28-year-old who is of Monserratian descent, is pursuing more lanes in her career path with her television show, and the launch of her own magazine.
Chalmers studied at Hofstra University in Long Island. But she first dabbled in public relations as a student at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. She excelled in her publicity courses and realized it was her forte because she found much enjoyment in the field, she said.
“I loved writing the press releases and reaching out to the media — that’s why I specialized in media because I love telling my clients’ stories and hoping to get them placement,” said Chalmers. “I used to go on press runs making sure I was getting clients as much publicity as I could position.”
After graduating, she was inspired to start her own company, Tha L. Spot, which she initially created to represent the artists and entertainers she liked working with.
But another big venture aside from her company was co-creating the millennial-centric talk show that discusses topics catering to young New Yorkers. It debuted last year, with Chalmers and two friends as hosts, and is currently on its second season.
In its first season, Chalmers says a lot of viewers were happy to discover her show and instantly became big fans.
“People really love the concept and the various subjects that we talk about, and a lot of feedback I’ve been getting from people is that they enjoy these conversations,” she said.
Now it is up for Bric’s people’s choice B Free Awards, which ends voting on March 24. (www.brica
For season two, Chalmers retired her on-camera involvement with the show, added two new hosts, and will now work behind the scenes with production. With more time to focus on other projects, she followed that up by furthering her brand with the recent launch of Tha L. Spot magazine.
The monthly print and digital magazine brings content usually available on its website, and makes them accessible to readers who are not up-to-date with what is posted online. She adds that this verge will help her stay on track with her readers and other projects such as her annual fall concert at the Roulette in Boerum Hill.
Chalmers said that despite becoming a self-sufficient entrepreneur, she was not always certain about the direction her career would go and she advises other young people in her generation to never think there is a time limit on reaching your goals.
“To be honest, I didn’t see myself doing this in college and high school. I took a year off after high school and delved into real world. It wasn’t then that I knew what I wanted to do,” said Chalmers.
“It’s never too late to pursue something especially when it’s a long term passion, but now I’m doing my own thing and I didn’t have the confidence then, that I have today.”
