I had the opportunity to chat live on Instagram with American Media and Business Strategist, Dr. CaSay Vaughn of multi-media group, The Franchise Group. Dr. Vaughn was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She is a mother and soon-to-be a grandmother or as she calls it, “GiGi.” She is a proud Christian and is engaged to Celebrity DJ Jay Claxton, which she refers to as her better half.
Dr. Vaughn has been in the media business for over 25 years. She is known as both a master strategist and super producer. She has been dubbed the Media Maven. She has worked with numerous TV stations and record labels. She started as a TV News producer for NBC Baltimore. She, originally, wanted to be a doctor; but that changed quickly when she went to observe one her family friends at work in the ER. She witnessed the reality of all the blood and did a hard pass.
She moved on to do an internship at the top station in Baltimore and three months later, even before she completed her internship, was hired as an Overnight Assignment Editor and Associate Producer. The station sent her to Thus Hurst Academy where she earned her Master’s degree at the age of 23. Once she graduated, the opportunity to produce was presented and she did that for four-to-five years. During that time, she built the rapport in the industry with people that weren’t used to being in the spotlight and in those environments.
Dr. Vaughn decided she no longer wanted to be in the industry and stopped producing, but then people started reaching out to her to be their publicist due to her reputation of being a helper as well as a lot mover and shaker in the industry. She continues to work with celebrity clients today.
Our Instagram live conversation was so good that I wanted to dig a little deeper and share all the wonderful things that she is doing with her multiple companies under The Franchise Group.
The Prosperity Group is an outreach organization where CaSay donates a lot of her time to students to help them figure out which direction they want to go. She grooms them to be successful in the industry. They host backpack and sneaker drives in Baltimore, Maryland and Atlanta, Georgia. They want to make sure that the children feel good about themselves when they go to school. Last year, they serviced over 1000 children in the Baltimore community. They received donations from Nike, Puma, Adidas, Under Armor, and other companies. Prosperity Group also host Christmas in May and December to provide toys to the children at a Children’s Hospital in Baltimore. Their goal is to bring some happiness and comfort to the children that have long stays in the hospital.
CaSay, along with her partner Celebrity DJ Jay Claxton, Co-Host the “Love Business On Lock” podcast that airs live weekly on YouTube and Facebook on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm. They started in business, fell in love, and now have the blueprint. The podcast was birthed, because they were casted for an OWN realty show and some of the things that would happen on the show were not acceptable to their lifestyle. Their goal is to always ensure they are setting a great example for their children and others. As a result of that, they chose not to do the show, but it triggered them to do a podcast of their own. They invite couples that do love and business together to share how they keep their relationships both personal and professional “on lock.” This platform gives the opportunity for the couples to be transparent and share real issues to love and work with your partner; to be able to help other couples weather through the good, the bad, and the ugly. It is an amazing show! I encourage you to check it out.
Franchise Music has their producers work with artist to mentor and take final steps to groom and prepare them to send over to different labels. Thus far, they have been very successful.
Franchise Clothing line provides high end items at a low-end cost point. They have clothing for men, women, and infants. FRNCHC Clothing features a variety of clothing from t-shirts, track suits, and business casual wear. Check them out on Instagram @frnchsclothing.
Her newest baby, which is coming soon, Franchise Radio will be launched on September 1! DJ Jay Claxton has been an on-air personality and toured for over 18 years. When he stepped away from mainstream radio, they noticed there was a gap in the culture. So, they decided to take matters into their own hands and bring the best of the best DJs together. This station will feature some of the most amazing DJs from across the county; Dime Piece and Be Easy from LA, Chaotic from Texas, Rod Madd Flava for the DMV, just to name a few. You will hear some of everything on this station… it is all coming from the heart. You can listen on the app or at FranchiseRadio.show.
CaSay also Co-Hosts the Instagram Live Podcast called “WHEW” with Celebrity Esthetician Kimo Bentley each Friday at 9pm. WHEW is short for Women Helping and Empowering Women. They bring different women on to have conversations about the heaviness of life. This show is to motivate and encourage women on how to get through life.
She also has not one, but two reality-television shows coming up. The first one is Minding My Business ATL. This is where entrepreneurs come to share how they mind and build their businesses as well as giving back to the community. The second one is in pre-production. Let’s just say it is going to be simply amazing! Be on the lookout for it before the end of the year. So exciting!!!
She leaves us with some nuggets of wisdom:
- Do not hold on to what you know, share it with others. Knowledge is free to give. She holds on to this because someone helped her. Her mentor Wanda Drapper poured into her and now she in turn pours into others. Her mentor also told her that we as women do not have to fight, lie and cheat, we should uplift and build.
- Her dad has been a pastor for 60 plus years and he reminds her that, it is wonderful to a celebrity, but it is better to be a servant. She lives by that both personally and professionally.
- God gives us what HE knows what we can take. Although her and her partner have a lot on their plates, she welcomes the opportunities. Some look at what she does as work, she looks at it as ministry. They prepare the table so that others may be fed.
- For those that want to get in the industry, research, learn, and study and never stop being a student. Learn to do it all. Leave no stone unturned. As women we need to know the difference in needing and depending. Do not be a dependent, learn to do things for yourself. It is ok to need and ask questions. Have conversations with people that know more than you.
- Be transparent and accountable for who you are. If you mess up own it and find a solution.
I encourage you to go and follow this fantabulous, powerful, and wonderful woman. I promise, when you encounter her, you will not leave the same. You can find her on Instagram @casayvaughn.
