Do you remember being a college student? You probably had to write endless papers, create time for work and try to make it just in time to your first class of the day. Add a quickly growing business, community service and campus organizations to your to-do list.This is Georgia State University student Destiny Elliott’s impressive reality as founder of Destiny Elliott PR and Marketing Firm. She has turned her name into a well-known company.
President of the National Association of Black Journalists, Web Master of the Public Relations Student Society of America, Ivy Leaf Reporter of the Eta Mu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and news anchor and reporter at Georgia State Television are just a few of Elliott’s campus titles. In addition, she is a member of the Video Ministry at Ebenezer Baptist Church and a frequent volunteer with Hands On Atlanta. Her self-founded scholarship program, The Destiny Elliott Journalism Scholarship, awards funding to two graduating seniors who will study journalism or communications in higher education. 
“This annual award is important to me because it is a platform that allows me to give back to my alma mater of G. W. Carver High School of Columbus,” says Elliott, “It’s dear to my heart as I make local and global impacts in the lives of young professionals in media.”
Elliott’s drive and entrepreneurial work ethic began in Columbus, Georgia. Early on Elliott spent time taking photos and editing her photos with effects and uploading them to social media.
“I was doing public relations and marketing since Myspace days, but could not put my finger on the practice yet,” says Elliott. She quickly got the hang of promoting her talents and her experiences at school. The community soon started referring to her as “Destiny, The Model.”
“It was no second guessing that I would major in journalism and concentrate in public relations when it was time for me to level up in the next steps of my life.”
Elliott moved to Atlanta to pursue an education at Georgia State University. “I’ve been a boss!” Says Elliott. “Starting in the fashion and media industry at an early age paid off as I moved to a who’s who city such as Atlanta.” Exchanging business cards, attending press conferences and networking became second nature to Elliott by her sophomore year in college.
Business owners soon began to enlist Elliott for her help making her businesses more visible. This sparked her idea of capitalizing off her reputation and work.
“It was at that moment that I committed to combining my passion for journalistic storytelling and multimedia promotions into a company that I call my own– Destiny Elliott PR & Marketing Firm, LLC,” says Elliott. “May 1, 2019 is one of the best days of my life because I created a business that serves the universe in a multitude of ways. I view my firm like a baby, an entity whose existence is founded on love and a purpose to be the entrepreneur the world needs.”
Elliott does face some difficulties trying to balance school and entrepreneurship. Sometimes the weight of her responsibilities can be overbearing.
“It costs to be a boss! While wearing many hats are appealing, there are some days when the load gets extremely heavy,” says Elliott. She often finds herself working well into the weekend to study for final exams and complete class assignments. She juggles client consultations while making sure she studies for her classes. Elliott also strives to maintain her social life with her friends, “I remind myself every day that I did not only choose this life. It chose me too.”
Elliott overcomes these difficulties by simply reminding herself when to say yes and no to certain tasks. She creates a healthy balance of school, work and campus organizations. Spiritual healing plays a big role in this.
“An entrepreneur who upholds a healthy mind, body, soul, and spirit will always be in popular demand because they invest in their inner being just as much as they serve the outside world,” says Elliott. Yoga, listening to birds sing and songs by Erykah Badu are all a part of her soulful rituals.
Elliott also had to come to terms with not being able to attend every event presented to her. “I know when an event is beneficial when conversations expand further than exchanging business cards.”
When you scroll through Destiny Elliott PR & Marketing Firm’s Instagram account you’ll notice pineapples as the logo for the brand. This unique feature has a sweet story. “Not only does it stand tall and wear a crown, but it also preserves a unique spiritual meaning– social warmth, true friendship and southern hospitality.” These symbols make up the qualities of Elliott’s brand.
Elliott offers words of wisdom for students wishing to build a business while juggling school and other responsibilities. She advises students to search for what makes them happy and what serves the world. She believes that these answers will present a purpose.
“You must know that you have the power to speak to your target audience and to control what you need out of conversations. Students must be strategic with everything, each person you meet and every place that you go so that you sleep well at night knowing that you are walking into your destiny.”