notifi are also working to sign other popular
R&B acts, and has undertaken early talks
with Jon B and his management, as well as
Brandy and her management group.
Though she loves her work, ira's demanding
schedule often makes it difficult for her to
separate business from personal affairs.
"When you do something everyday its hard
not to make it personal," she states. "i'm
maniacal about my work," she adds. her kids
love that she has a record label. They also
like that she has her own life, and like most
kids, don't want her overly involved at their
school and in their social lives. Despite their
parents' high profile jobs, the Dewitt children
enjoy being normal kids, and their mom is
happy to oblige them as much as she can.
ira enjoys spending time with her family, and
whenever possible, she reads. She recently
took a week off, turned off her cell phone,
and traveled to Canada to visit family, where
she was happily able to finish three novels
during the vacation.
While family is her top priority, ira values
being able to contribute to, and receive
support from the St. Louis music industry.
"Many people seem to only ask for monetary
support. But i am more than a paycheck."
St. Louis, thus far, lacks the support for
music business enterprises that cities in
some larger, more progressive markets
have established. The city is still missing
many of the workshops, panels, and other
industry driven activities a more robust
local music business scene would produce.
nonetheless, ira continues to extend herself
and find creative ways to support local
artists in hopes of rendering this condition
a thing of the past.
ira is also quite candid about having to
confront the obstacle of being a woman in
an industry which like many, is primarily
male-dominated at the executive level. it's a
tough business. "no white woman is doing
what i'm doing. it's been a challenge, and
i often feel like i'm swimming in a shark's
tank." as with many professions, music
insiders have a bad history of attempting
to deal short-handedly with women. ira
has had to be terse and pointed with many
people, which she admits doesn't come
easy to her. her time is just as valuable as
everyone else's, and she's learned to prove
that and make that fact clear. "The music
business isn't based on honesty. People
will try to bully and threaten you to get their
way." nonetheless, ira Dewitt has proven her
resiliency, and intense desire to continue to
build her business in a trustworthy manner,
despite the adversity that comes.
No white
womaN is
doiNg what
i'm doiNg.
43
V.1.3