“One of the things I like to do is leave folks who are curious about me with this idea that, you know, the sooner we recognize who we are, what our capabilities are and our mission, our purpose is, you know, the better off we are,” Mona Scott-Young shared with Paulana Lamoiner in an exclusive interview with Forbes.
PHOTO: Jaxon Photo Group
Scott-Young has one of the most known names in the entertainment industry and one of the hottest executives to watch! From her Love and Hip-Hop franchise on VH1 that has been on the air for almost eight years — which began in New York City and expanded to cities such as Atlanta, Hollywood and Miami — to her multimedia entertainment company Monami Entertainment which focuses on production, music, publishing and more; to her Moscato brand, Myx Fusions; to her novel Blurred Lines, co-written with Courtney Parker; Scott-Young got it going on and doesn’t plan on giving up her throne anytime soon.
Through her various endeavors, Scott-Young has proven to herself and others that you do not have to follow a “conventional-plan” to make it and succeed in your purpose. She did not go to school to study music production/management, nor did she come from an industry-connected family. Scott-Young shared with Forbes that she was raised by a Haitian mother, who was labeled as functionally illiterate but was one of the most ambitious women she has ever known.
“Realizing that with all of those hurdles that [my mother] had to overcome, she still was able to provide a nice home, clothing, and an education for us with stability, and security. I realized that nothing is unattainable. I come from the DNA of someone who navigated every obstacle that had been thrown at her and still managed to not only be successful in her own life, but raise children that were successful as well. It’s not just a philosophy that I adopt, I recognize that it's in my DNA,” Scott-Young told Lamoiner in an exclusive interview with Forbes.
With that resilient DNA running through her veins, it seems anything Scott-Young sets her sights on, she dominates and excels at. One way she continues to progress is by recognizing there is work to be done from the start of something new and every moment after that. While connections can take you far, she never depended solely on who she knows — she made it a point to rely and expand upon what she knows.
“I am never complacent and I never take any of my past success for granted as I move into a new business endeavor. I give the venture the attention, care, research, the knowledge base, and the hard work necessary to give it the best chance for success,” Scott-Young told Lamoiner in an exclusive interview with Forbes.
At the point in her life, Scott-Young claims she is on what she calls her “second life.” As she moves from one genre in the entertainment world to the next, her hope is that her impact not only matches her previous successes — but exceeds it. Her manifestations are coming to fruition and Scott-Young plans to enjoy her new journey.
When asked by Lamoiner how she perceives those who have achieved great things under 30, and others who may find their success within their 30s and beyond, Scott-Young rightfully expressed that comparison is never a pathway to great success. When you compare yourself to another, all it does is cause you to put unfair pressures on yourself that do not align with what is meant for you.
“For those who are still in the process of finding that place where they're fully able to realize their potential and seize success that they're destined for, I say keep going,” Scott-Young began. “It's certainly never too late. Until you’re six feet under you have the ability to course correct, to take control and to change your life in whatever way you see fit. Maximize your gifts and your potential.” Scott-Young told Lamoiner in an exclusive interview with Forbes.
PHOTO: Robert Deutsch / USA Today
And while you maximize your potential, Scott-Young says you have to stop spending time concerning yourself with what others think about you. As an adult, she recognized her insecurity regarding not having a college degree held her back in some instances — not because one was required, but because she made it a roadblock in her own mind. She came to understand her capabilities were not housed in something she did not have and it did not define her. Once letting that go, she was able to flourish.
“I always wanted to say to people, and this isn't about the cliché, love yourself. This is really about getting to know yourself, understanding yourself, identifying what those unique gifts are, and then believing in them, you know. Fuel them, utilize them, turn them on with the switch – whatever that thing is that allowed you to be the best you, get to that as soon as you can, however you can,” Scott-Young shared with Lamoiner in an exclusive interview with Forbes.
Something else that allows Scott-Young to upkeep her momentum is knowing when to take a break. Life is about balance and to recharge/unwind, Scott-Young loves bringing her friends and family together to cook for them and spend time in their presence. She is also honest about the balancing act she participates in daily. Some days, she is successful, and others prove to be a challenge but she remains realistic throughout it all.
Currently, Scott-Young told Lamoiner she is working on an entertainment-based cruise called I Love Hip-Hop Cruise. She’s hoping the cruise sets sail in 2019 or at the latest, the beginning on 2020. Truly, everything Scott-Young touches turns to gold — so we cannot wait to see how this turns out and everything she has in store for 2019!
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