Freelancing is no joke. It requires a new kind of grind I've never experienced. When I was first thinking about venturing into freelance, a friend and former colleague told me she knew I’d be just fine. “You’re a hustler,” she said, “and you’ll always find a way to make things work.”
She’s right. These days, I’m doing the hustle (if the Van McCoy song popped into your head, let’s be friends). But it’s a hustle rooted in intention. I’m constantly asking myself: How can I seize the opportunity to try new professional endeavors that fuel my passions and flex my skills in the process? That looks like exploring other media roles but it also looks like considering completely new industries, like hospitality. I used to think I had to do things by the book. Now I’m learning to do things by my book.
That’s why I’m so inspired by Taylor Crumpton. We had a refreshing conversation about her professional writing journey that started while she was an undergrad, and how she’s taken control of her career by not subscribing to anyone’s way of doing things but her own.
In the process, Taylor’s needed to ask herself a lot of important questions. At one point, when it came down to her writing career, she reflects, “I had to take a moment to be like, is this something that I truly want?” She leaned into the doubt, recognized that she had options, considered those options, and, ultimately, ended up exactly where she was meant to be. Get a sneak peek of our conversation here:
If you didn’t already know, Taylor has not one but two soon-to-publish books, Coronation Of The Queen and Girl Please. She didn’t get here by playing it safe or staying complacent.
I’m taking a number out of her book. “Journalist” will always have a coveted place in my growing, multi-hyphenate professional title. But I’m also asking: what else? what more?
My new mantra: hustle & flow.
Stay In The Groove
Upcoming events for your calendar:
She Did That. Holiday Bazaar (December 1, Brooklyn)
Create & Cultivate’s Future Summit (March 9, 2025, Austin)
Some job opportunities I’m seeing:
The Creative Collective NYC/CultureCon is looking for interns
Tiffany & Co. is searching for its next Global PR Director
Apple is hiring a Brand Strategist
Okayplayer is seeking a Social Media Intern
WORTHI is hiring a Manager, Audience Strategy
The New York Times Fellowship is now accepting applications
HarperCollins is looking to fill a variety of intern roles
Lonely Planet is seeking a Social Contributor Manager
Salon is hiring a Senior Staff Writer, Culture
Topicals is seeking a Social Channel Manager
Muck Rack is hiring a Social Media Manager
TIME is looking for a Director, Partnerships
MoMA is on the hunt for a Marketing Manager
Penguin Random House is accepting applications for Summer 2025 internships
L'Oréal has opened up submissions for its 2025 Fellowship Program
Taylor Crumpton penned a pensive yet galvanizing piece in anticipation of the looming change of power at the White House. I’m also really happy to see Brea Baker (listen to her Stella podcast episode here) has a regular column for Refinery29 Unbothered with important election insights.
Barbados native Zahra Spencer broke down the impact of Fenty Beauty’s expansion into the Caribbean.
EveryStylishGirl founder Nana Agyemang (listen to her Stella podcast episode here) has collaborated with her alma mater George Washington University to start the The Nana Agyemang Media Scholarship.
Marketing guru Bozoma Saint John is launching a haircare and wig brand—her first brand.
In other launch news, Whoopi Goldberg is behind a new global sports platform for women.
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