Hidden Gems: Meet Raquel Welch of 50Sha8des of Life, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raquel Welch

Hi Raquel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My Story – 50sha8desofLife Podcast

**50Sha8desofLife: A Dream Realized by Raquel Ne’Cole**

For over 15 years, I’ve thrived as an entrepreneur in the Marketing Industry, 5.5 years owning a Design Firm, and also ventured into Talent Acquisition, where my personality and professionalism felt effortless. In that role, I met new people daily from all walks of life and industries, interviewing them while helping them secure career opportunities. Fast forward to 2023, and I found myself feeling the need to set new personal goals – ones that make me even HAPPIER. That’s when my creative side kicked in, and the idea for a podcast was born—one that connects people from all fields with a unique flair, discussing everything life has to offer.

After chatting with a few friends, exploring a variety of other podcasts over several months, and even attending a live recording, I realized this was the new chapter I wanted to write. It felt like the perfect blend of what I love: meeting people, sharing stories, and engaging in dynamic conversations. That’s how **50Sha8desofLife** came to be—an idea that grew from my desire to discuss all the shades of life: relationships, sex, black businesses (our segment called *50Sha8desofBlack*), fashion, makeup, hair, wealth, and of course, celebrity drama!

At first, I was hesitant about hosting solo. But then, I realized I had the perfect co-host right in front of me—my best friend and cousin, Talia! We’ve spent hours on the phone over the years talking about her unique relationships, the dramatic dating scene, and the wild moments at her various workplaces. With her bold Taurus energy and unique personality, I knew she would bring an interesting dynamic to the show.

We are polar opposites in many ways: Talia is single with one adult daughter, while I’ve been married for 17 years with four children, ages 22 to 4. Talia was raised in Mississippi, and I grew up in Michigan, though I spent every summer,winter, and spring in the South. She’s a bit more cautious with her words, while I’m unfiltered but always classy. Talia is also a skilled Tarot Reader, known as *BlaqMagnolia Talia,* and I thought her talents could add something special to our show—despite her already having her own successful YouTube channel.

After careful consideration and planning, we launched our first episode—a Halloween special—on October 31, 2023, airing on YouTube, Patreon, and Spotify as Raquel Ne’Cole and The BlaqMagnolia Talia. Since then, we’ve hosted several guests, had plenty of laughs, and shared personal stories. Recently, we decided to refine our focus, creating content that resonates with Black men and women ages 25-65, from all walks of life.

This world of podcasting is brand new to us, but we’re ready to take it on! I handle the entire production—recording, shooting, and editing—with no prior experience, but I have plans to expand, eventually bringing on a full editing and production team. With two current locations—Clinton Twp., MI, and soon-to-launch Detroit, MI—we’re excited about growing our reach. We’re developing our **50Sha8desofLife** website with merch, working on merch, and expanding our platform to Apple, Google, and iHeartRadio. Our season II launches this Halloween, we hope to one day be able to tour and get booked!

We’re always on the lookout for interesting guests to join us and talk about life—because that’s what **50Sha8desofLife** is all about at 5K strong: the real, the raw, and everything in between!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not! Interesting, but not where I want to be…I have learned A TON because I have to be the fixer/solver to ensure we are launched and edited…with zero experience. Many days there are hours and hours editing that I feel would be so much better in the hands of someone else who knows what the heck they are doing! We also struggle with how to keep up with all the viral and trending ways! But we are trying!!

We’ve been impressed with 50Sha8des of Life, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
50Sha8desOfLife, hosted by Raquel Ne’Cole and co-host The BlaqMagnolia Talia, is an entertainment podcast launched on October 31, 2023, with the goal of connecting and uplifting Black communities through engaging conversations. Our mission is to expose dynamic Black-owned businesses, spark meaningful discussions about all aspects of life, and provide a platform that is fun, exciting, and sometimes educational. We aim to entertain and inspire Black audiences aged 25-65 by delving into topics ranging from relationships and entrepreneurship to fashion, culture, and everyday experiences. Through our podcast, we create a space where authentic voices are heard and celebrated!

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
We can very bold, explicit and unique! Not for ages under 21 for sure! We try to launch every other weekend, but with full time jobs + other business ventures it can be challenging! In 2024, only a few months after we launched we were selected as one of the finalist for the Essence Festival Podcast Competition celebrating black excellence…we were ecstatic! Also, we were just notified that we will be one of the few podcasters at the Creator Con Detroit this November 2024! Please come check us out, we are soo excited.

Pricing:

• Pre-Recorded
• Launch every other weekend

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/50sha8desoflife
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093507914377
• Twitter: @50sha8desofLife
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@50Sha8desofLife
• Other: https://linktr.ee/50sha8desoflife