Today we’d like to introduce you to Loreal Johnson
Hi Loreal, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Name: Loreal Johnson
Socials: LeauxJohnson
Hometown: New orleans, La
Age: 27
Bachelors: Mass Communication *digital advertising, Minor- History, LSU
Masters: Strategic Communication, LSU
I always knew I wanted to work in a creative field. When I was looking at majors, my dad and step mom didn’t really even know what being a career creative would look like. I think at the time everyone was still focused on being a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. I went through so many descriptions of majors and job titles and ultimately landed on advertising. I felt it would be a mix of business, math and creativity. Its crazy because looking back on that, I was absolutely right.
In college, I started creating youtube videos about different interests including makeup, hair, college life, and my sorority (Alpha Kappa Alpha). Even with a small following people began to know me as a creative. There was a time were I was a makeup artist because people liked the way I did my makeup. I tried a lot of things. I created logos for small businesses, I started helping people create their websites. This was all happening while I was learning more technical skills in my actual college classes. I also was working through out college. I had thankfully graduated valedictorian of my high school and received several scholarships so at least through my undergraduate time I was not stressed about finances. I was wayyyy more stressed about workload. I was also doing undergraduate research that I received the LSU discover grant for.
Even with all this and an internship at a local news station getting into the advertising industry was not easy. I decided to go back to school for my major. I was very against it but one of my mentors, Hope Hickerson, had already went through the process of creating an assistantship for me…meaning my tuition would be free. I’m glad I went back because my professor, Jun Heo, is the one who first mentioned Dallas to me.
Somewhere in the 2 years I was earning my masters, Dr. Heo mentioned the MAIP program to me. Maip is a workforce development program for college and graduate-level students who have a passion for the marketing and advertising industry. The selection process is pretty strenuous but worth it, because you not only get an internship under your belt, but also go through the fellowship development program. I was able to secure an internship with the marketing arm. My class of interns were the first to be virtual. We didn’t know if the internships would lead to anything but I gained a few friends and made some connections in dallas.
Throughout all this I had my heart set on being an in house art director. I did not even know what a producer did. My internship mentor, Melissa Matos, set me up for one one ones each week with a different person in different cities within the marketing arm. I talked to one lady in print production and thought, ” that sounds interesting.” Some of the people I spoke with were in la, but some were in Dallas.
When the program was coming to an end, I was heavily applying to places. I did not land my job at 3Headed monster untill over 6 months after graduating. To my surprise after working for a few months, someone told me that I was already liked when I interviewed but what secured the job for me was someone from the marketing arm who happened to be interviewing for another job speaking for me. They had apparently sold me so well, but i still do not know who exactly that was. I’ve always been very thankful for the people who have helped and keep helping me along the way.
I now have much more experience under my belt, I created better quality content and I have people who support me around me. Thats how I got to where I am.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It had not been smooth, as I mentioned it was difficult landing a job after graduating.
At one point in college, I had 2 dollars in my account and had to go to a campus event for the free pizza.
Even now I struggle with showing up to set and people dismissing me whether its because they assume I’m talent, or because they can’t believe i’m this young snd leafing productions.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Producer at 3Headed Monster located in Dallas Tx. I have produced, Tv, radio, digital, lots of social and experiential activations. I’m currently the creative producer on the AAF Dallas awards, its been exciting because I haven’t quite produced a live show before but thats what I like about producing, its always something new.
I’m very proud of all the work I’ve put in. I even created our company’s social production process about a year ago.
For my content, I’m most proud of the fact that I am finally really starting to lean into my voice. I’ve collaborated with a few brands and hope to keep that going in the most authentic way possible.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I would say follow your interests. Theres a reason why you’re really drawn to that song or that person or that college. Lean into it! explore it. You never know how many things in your life will start to overlap when you are listening to your self and truly try and do things. I currently have been saying, no one can help you if they don’t see you doing anything. Once you start to try you will figure things out, get redirected, meet people… but you have to TRY
Pricing:
- Contact me for freelance pricing
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leauxjohnson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leauxjohnson/
Image Credits
Nate Schiefelbein
