Soul Inspired Radio from Jacqui Allen

This is indeed a new, bold, positive radio station. There's nothing quite like it anywhere.

-A new concept in radio programming is born out of the struggle that radio veteran, Jacqui Allen, went through when she walked away from the industry and directly into the heat of the “great recession.”

When Jacqui Allen, walked away from a 20 year career in radio, she walked right into one of the most difficult economic downturns in history. Out of her struggle to survive “the storm,” she became an accidental entrepreneur. Today she is blazing new trails with Soul Inspired Productions, a multi-media platform that seeks to inspire people to dream without limits, believe in new possibilities, and live life to the fullest.

In 2006 Jacqui ended the bitter/sweet relationship she had experienced with radio for almost two decades. She had enjoyed a measure of success in such top markets as New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. Still, she never forgot the stinging pain from those periods when radio had walked away from her in the form of format changes; mergers; acquisitions; and management that had “decided to go in a different direction.”

However, this time she initiated the separation—more for personal reasons than any real loss of love for the profession. She had given birth to a set of twins in December 2005 and juggling 3am feedings and a 5:30am on-air time was a bit of a conflict. So she waved goodbye to radio and decided to expand her part time real estate business in hopes of gaining both the money and the flexibility she needed with three kids under 3. That was 2007. In 2008 the housing market came crashing down, followed by the “great recession,” and well…you can write the rest of that story on your own.

One of Jacqui’s favorite quotes is from former Essence Editor-In-Chief, Susan Taylor who said, “In every crisis there is a message. Crises are nature’s way of forcing change—breaking down old structures, and shaking loose negative habits so that something new and better can take their place.”

“When I finally came up for air after having been buried under a mountain of diapers and formula for a year and a half; and then failing at the real estate thing-- I didn’t know who I was anymore,” said Jacqui. “What I did know was that I had to “recreate” myself and start doing something that would make use of the gifts and talents God blessed me with.”

In the Fall of 2008, Jacqui Allen launched “Soul Inspired” when she struck a deal with her first affiliate, WTYB, Savannah, Georgia.

“I actually came up with the concept in 2001 while I was in graduate school. I had this idea for a program that combined uplifting music-- that wasn’t necessarily gospel-- with motivational messages and practical advice. As I teetered on the edge of bankruptcy AND sanity, I was forced to take the concept off the shelf, dust it down, and start working it,” said Jacqui.

Since its launch, Jacqui Allen’s vision for “Soul Inspired” has greatly expanded. “It’s not just a radio show anymore,” she says. “My plan is to create inspirational and motivational content that crosses all mediums—radio, television, film, books, and the internet.”

Jacqui is building her vision on the foundation of her new website, http://www.soulinspired.com/ , which features a wealth of inspirational content including a 24 hour online radio station where you can listen to her show as well as, programs produced by other professionals who have a vision and a gift for creating content that inspires.

“Soul Inspired” is being offered to traditional radio stations, FREE-- on a one year trial basis. It’s available as:
A two hour weekend program
A one hour 5-6am weekday program or,
A two- minute feature that can be incorporated into an existing program

WTYB Program Director, Yolanda Neely says, “As a program director who spends countless hours at the station, the last thing I want to do when I’m home is turn on the radio if I don’t have to. However, Sunday mornings I wake up and listen to Jacqui do her thing on Soul Inspired-- not as a PD, but as a person who finds that the music and the wonderful messages, inspire and encourage me to strive for more out of life. Soul Inspired is blessing folk!”

Look for Soul Inspired on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.