In this episode, we interview Audrey Pray Jr., Designer and Founder of A2 Collective. Audrey operates bi-nationally from the DMV area and Lima, Peru.
Audrey, a graduate of SCAD (Class of 2014), shares her professional journey from college into her creative career. She details her self-discovery through an internship with Viacom Summer Associates Program (Nickelodeon) and how she successfully pitched herself for design roles at International House and other organizations that supported her eight-year career in NYC before relocating to Lima, Peru.
Currently, Audrey is the owner and operator of A2 Collective. Organizations in need of design or strategy services can collaborate with their international team of freelance creatives. Additionally, artists interested in joining the community that Audrey is fostering can explore membership opportunities. More information is available at https://www.thea2collective.com/.
If Audrey's story resonates with you and you wish to connect with her as a potential mentor, please reach out to her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreyprayjr/.
5 Things You Need To Learn from Audrey Pray Jr.
#1 Do your homework on your ‘dream job”.
We grow up aspiring to work for particular companies or specific people we admire and when granted the opportunity there are often lessons waiting to be learned.
For one, I don’t wish for anyone to aspire to just work for anybody. I wish for all people to position themselves in places that help them use their gifts and be the best versions of themselves. A space where you can grow and remain supported and stimulated just the way you need to.
Audrey grew up with a vision to use design in marketing and advocacy work. Though her story we learn how her expectations were not met because who she thought she wanted to work for was not where she belonged. We have to do our homework on not just our dream jobs but also our dream industries and understand how they work. That commercial you love by Nike was likely done by an advertising agency and the creatives who worked on it may or may not actually work for said agency. You have to learn all players involved in the ecosystem of the industry you desire. This will ultimately help you discover just where you may belong. And even if you still don’t know where, at least you have a map of options to try out along your own journey.
#2 Don’t be afraid to build your own door.
These Wise words of wisdom that Audrey recounts from her mother are crucial. What if the gifts you have are bigger than any existing business? What if the ideas you have don’t exist yet? Trust there is plenty to learn working in adjacent roles and industries to your areas of interest. And know that you have to know yourself and believe in the ideas you carry in your heart enough to know when it's time to build your own door when the existing doors are not opening for you.
#3 Lean into the administrative tasks in your internships and early roles.
In hindsight that desk job got you to where you are today. That customer service role prepared you for who you deal with today. From babysitting, to slinging coffees or lunch. To answering phones and booking meetings. There is inherent value in even the most miniscule tasks.
As Audrey recounts her story, she shares her initial disappointment that her early roles and internships were not as “creative” as she would have liked. However, looking back she understands how her duties in those roles continued to serve her and help her stand apart from other candidates even today as a business owner.
#4 Learn how to position your skills to get you where you want to go.
This is my super power when consulting for and with other creatives. Learning how to position what you do well to other businesses and people will take you far! It will help you diversify your income, it can help you with your hobbies or passion projects.
Audrey positioned herself to barter with organizations that she knew could help advance her as an individual. She shared the innovative way she took part in immersive language programs in several different countries. Those negotiation skills come in handy when pitching yourself for roles that don’t exist yet or even when vouching for promotions or pivots in your career.
At the end of the day we have to be the historians of ourselves. We know what we bring to the table and trust ourselves to execute when given the opportunity to.
#5 The answers are inside you.
I have so much respect and admiration for how Audrey checked in with herself spiritually every step of her creative career. Audrey has a trust in herself and God to listen to that small still voice inside. She trusted her discernment for certain environments which helped her pivot and move.
Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, it's important to understand that all the answers are already inside you. It's up to us to learn to listen, hear, and trust. Strengthening your discernment skills and boosting your self-confidence can help you interpret that still small voice in you. Everything you need is inside.
You can meet Audrey online on Tuesday April 15th for a live Q&A. Send in your questions or tune in live to ask them. You can join us on YouTube, LinkedIn or Instagram.
IN BTWN ARTIST is a podcast about navigating sustainable creative careers hosted by me, Stephanie Brown, and presented by Next Chapter Podcasts.
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Peace + Love.
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