SAVVY The Business Magazine (cover: Sharrarne Morton SiriusXM Radio/Channel 141)

Sharrarne Morton, CEO of Morton Media has been in the media industry for over 20 years. She began her career in high school as the school newspaper editor and then went to college and hosted her school's radio show while majoring in broadcast journalism. She always knew that she wanted to be a journalist and in the media business. As a little girl, she used to hold a hairbrush in her hand and sit behind a desk pretending to be a news anchor. Or, she would take that hairbrush and pretend it was a microphone and interview her little brother.

After graduating college, Sharrarne worked in politics and then ran for office. Although she didn’t win, she scored BIG by being invited to speak on television. What was meant to be a one-time shot as a TV show guest, turned into a 14-year stint where Sharrarne was a popular and regular commentator on an ABC television station affiliate in Washington, DC. “It was so exciting, and I was just so blessed to have been offered such a wonderful opportunity. It knocked on my door, and I answered,” said Sharrarne.

As a television commentator, Sharrarne was presented with numerous opportunities to speak to corporate leaders, associations and non-profit organizations about the media, the power of television, and how its messaging can influence generations. While commentating on TV, she launched Morton Media (mortonmediatv.com) where she began to produce and host local TV shows as well as produce dozens of commercials for businesses. Sharrarne had those commercials aired on networks such as Lifetime, HGTV, MSNBC, OWN, FOX, CNN, MTV, BET, the Food Network, TV One and many more.

Sharrarne’s company, Morton Media (www.mortonmediatv.com) produces two national shows on SiriusXM Radio with millions of listeners. On one of her shows, Sharrarne coaches small businesses all over the U.S. on how to get to that next level of success. On the other show, Sharrarne talks about the importance of good health and wellness in communities of color. “Like the saying goes, ‘It’s who you know.’

“Getting a chance to produce and host a show on SiriusXM/HUR Voices radio was another opportunity that came from who I knew. My mentor and friend Carl Brown, Executive Director of the Small Business Development Center in Washington, DC asked me to join him on the show and we’ve been on the air for five years now. I’ve learned as a business owner that people do business with people who they like and trust. I was asked to help produce and host the show because I was known for my work ethic and trusted to get the job done. It’s absolutely imperative that business owners maintain good reputations. It’s like 12 of 24