Meet Monetia Smothers

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Monetia Smothers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Monetia below.

Monetia, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

First, thank you for having me on The Bold Journey! Building resilience as a single parent didn’t happen overnight—it just became part of who I am. As a single mom navigating life’s challenges, there’s no room for failure. You either make it work, or it has to work.

Along the way, people told me to quit, said I was doing too much, or questioned if I was capable. I’ve learned to smile, keep moving forward, and trust that God is guiding me. When I feel weak, my faith lifts me up.

So, where does my resilience come from? God, Jehovah. He has been my strength, my stronghold, and my guide through life’s toughest moments. The challenges, negativity, and setbacks have only made me stronger, teaching me to navigate the darkness and embrace the light. Even in the hardest times, I am grateful—because I know God has always pulled my family and me through.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m the Founder and CEO of a family owned company Armani Red International, a global TV network found in Roku channel store named Armani Red International and media brand that gives independent creators—especially filmmakers across the United States, Africa and the diaspora—a real platform to be seen. Alongside my network, I also run The Way Of Life Collective, which includes Home Treasure Reimagined cleaning service, ARI Podcast, HTR Podcast, and a growing collection of services ranging cleaning & delivery, all created to provide opportunities, jobs, and inspiration. We are blessed to have an amazing team to support our narrative. And outside of it all my passion is modeling and acting. So when time is available I my agent Model Direct connects me with brands.

At my core, I am a visionary, Whether through TV, podcasts, film distribution, interviews, or creative campaigns, my purpose is to shine a light on people who deserve to be in the spotlight. I use my platform to elevate voices, create visibility, and build pathways for those who often get overlooked. I developed this because I was once this person and want to help others visibility.

What’s Most Exciting or Special About My Work:
What excites me most is watching people step into their dreams. When a filmmaker in Nigeria or Rwanda tells me that our channel gave their movie its first real global audience, or when a guest on In the Limelight with Monetia tells me their story has opened new doors — that is what fuels me. It gives me the initiative to keep going!

I love that my work isn’t just entertainment; it’s impact. It’s transformation. It’s connection.
Every day I get to meet people with big visions who just needed someone to believe in them, and that’s the part that feels special. The world is full of talent — sometimes it just needs the right platform and people in there life to say I believe in you!

What I Want People to Know About My Brand:
Armani Red International is more than a TV network — it’s a movement.
It’s built on faith, purpose, and the belief that everyday people deserve extraordinary opportunities. We’re building spaces where stories matter, creativity matters, and representation matters.

My brand is bold, global, and rooted in empowerment. From film distribution to talk shows, from business education to community initiatives, everything I do is about elevating others while staying true to authenticity and excellence.

I want people to know that when they see my name or my brand, they’re looking at a woman who built everything from the ground up, stayed resilient, and is committed to bringing others with her. Armani Red International is where passion meets purpose — and we’re just getting started.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey were:

1. Patience

Patience allowed me to grow without rushing the process. It taught me that everything worthwhile takes time — building a brand, building a network, building confidence, and building success. Patience kept me grounded during setbacks and helped me stay consistent when progress felt slow.

2. Humility

Humility kept me teachable. It helped me stay open to learning, open to correction, and open to opportunities I might have overlooked. Humility strengthened my relationships because it allowed me to truly listen, connect, and collaborate without ego.

3. Resilience

Resilience was the engine that kept me moving forward. Even when I faced challenges, disappointments, or moments of doubt, resilience helped me push through, adjust, and come back stronger.

If you’re early in your journey, here’s how you can start developing patience, humility, and resilience:

1. Patience — Give Yourself Permission to Grow Slowly
    •    Understand that success is a process, not an overnight event.
    •    Set small, realistic goals so you can see progress instead of feeling overwhelmed.
    •    Celebrate the “little wins” — they build confidence and keep you moving.
    •    Remind yourself: delay does not mean denial.

2. Humility — Stay Teachable and Open
    •    Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they feel basic.
    •    Surround yourself with people who know more than you. That’s how you grow.
    •    Accept feedback without taking it personally. Learn from it and adjust.
    •    Understand that humility isn’t shrinking — it’s being open enough to get better.

3. Resilience — Build the Muscle Daily
    •    When things go wrong, pause, breathe, and ask, “What is this teaching me?”
    •    Keep a routine — even a simple one — to build discipline.
    •    Protect your mindset: journal, pray, meditate, or speak affirmations.
    •    Remember that resilience doesn’t mean you never fall. It means you always get back up.

At the end of the day, growth is a choice.
These three qualities aren’t things you’re born with — they’re skills you build. And the earlier you start building them, the stronger you’ll stand later.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

1. Modeling / Influencer Work

The best partners are:
    •    Brands that align with your image (luxury, lifestyle, beauty, empowerment).
    •    Photographers + creatives who elevate your brand quality.
    •    Agencies or producers who value professionalism, punctuality, and strong personal branding.
    •    Companies with long-term ambassador potential, not just one-off gigs.

Ideal traits: professional, creative, dependable, strong visual style, understands branding.

2. Armani Red International TV Channel in Roku channel store Globally ( add to your smart tv line up)

The best partners are:
    •    Content creators and filmmakers who want exposure and distribution.
    •    Advertisers + sponsors who target African, U.S., and global diaspora audiences.
    •    Tech / magazines, media partners who support streaming, podcasts, and channel growth, videographers & photographers
    •    Production studios who want a platform to showcase original series, interviews, and films.

Ideal traits: consistent output, quality storytelling, understands digital media, growth mindset, culturally diverse.

3. Cleaning Company – Commercial Cleaning Partnerships

Best partners are:
    •    Property management firms
    •    Nursing homes & assisted living facilities
    •    Medical clinics & professional office buildings
    •    Government buildings and schools
    •    Contracting companies needing post-construction cleaning

Ideal traits: reliable, long-term contracts, stable monthly needs, respect professionalism and systems.

Are You Looking for Folks to Partner or Collaborate With?

Yes — absolutely.
Partnerships are part of your growth strategy across all divisions of your brand.

1. For Modeling & Influencer Collaborations
    •    Brands that align with luxury, empowerment, beauty, lifestyle, and business.
    •    Photographers, videographers, and creative teams who produce high-quality visuals.
    •    Companies looking for brand ambassadors or spokesmodels.
    •    Event organizers seeking professional talent.

2. For the TV Channel (Armani Red International)
    •    Independent filmmakers and producers (U.S., Africa, Caribbean).looking to share equity
    •    Podcast creators and show hosts looking for a platform with a following
    •    Media partners, distributors, and advertisers open to a residuals
    •    Investors who believe in streaming, culture, and entertainment.
    •    Nonprofits or community organizations needing visibility.

3. For Home Treasure Reimagined Commercial Cleaning
    •    Facility managers and building owners.
    •    Healthcare administrators.
    •    Businesses with ongoing janitorial needs.
    •    Construction companies needing post-construction cleaning.
    •    Government agencies seeking reliable vendors

General Traits in ALL Collaborators
    •    Professional and reliable
    •    Communicate clearly and follow through
    •    Committed to quality and growth
    •    Open to long-term partnerships
    •    Aligned with your values: empowerment, excellence, integrity

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photo credit

Lena Allure @lenaallure

Samuel Hendricks @Photosby4play

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