"LA is tough financially. Being homeless, sleeping on friends couches, booking AirBnB’s and making little to nothing stretch on a weekly basis. Swallowing my pride to ask for assistance from family and friends was something that I never had to do while living in Chicago."
Miss Adrena, 29, may have worked alongside actress, #writer, director, & producer, Issa Rae but there’s nothing #insecure about her leap of faith.
The Now
Adrena is an #entertainment #publicist for music, television, start-up media companies, fashion, philanthropy and ]sports & she is now the CEO, Publicist and Creative Director of 1:11 PR Agency & Thursday89.
Shortly put, her role involves creating experiences from creative digital content, event production, and marketing & advertising rollouts for premieres and releases.
She describes how her greatest accomplishment was quitting her job in Chicago and purchasing a one-Way ticket for $111 to LA to pursue her dreams of working in entertainment.
Back it Up - The Journey
“I literally came to LA with no money and I did not know anyone. Hell, just a year prior, was my first time ever visiting LA. Immediately, I jumped out of my shell and hit the ground running. I reached out to Issa Rae’s Publicist, Vanessa Anderson, and asked to intern and, shortly, I was hired on as a junior publicist. It was an eye opener.”
She describes how she’s grateful for this experience especially because it gave her an undeniable firsthand glance on what it’s like being and actually working with black business woman in entertainment.
“I am forever grateful for Issa and Vanessa for opening many doors and giving me an opportunity to work in PR. After gaining experience working with them and then working with Tammy Brook (FYI Communications) for a brief period, it then inspired me to just start my own company. 6 months in LA, I had already received a few inquiries of PR so once again I said, alright, let’s do it. WHAT ELSE COULD I LOSE? 1:11 PR has been one of the greatest accomplishments because it literally started based on...manifestation.”
Adrena describes how it wasn’t always a smooth road. She states that her biggest obstacle was being able to take losses and understanding that they are not losses but instead they are lessons to be learned.
“LA is tough financially. Being homeless, sleeping on friends couches, booking AirBnB’s and making little to nothing stretch on a weekly basis. Swallowing my pride to ask for assistance from family and friends was something that I never had to do while living in Chicago. Being open to the love and support of those who were willing to help because they were understanding has tremendously assisted with myself managing to overcome the adversity I faced.
Praying each day, remaining positive, showing gratitude and reading philosophy has helped me maintain and progress. Being a young black woman in entertainment has also been an obstacle. However, in due time it has been better because we have come together and voiced how we feel and kept our foots on their necks by broadcasting our success.”
Get Inspired
“Be prepared for what you want to manifest because it will happen at anytime and any day. When you are properly aligned with what you desire and your passion, everything will fall into place. Following your dreams offers more value than pursuing another person’s dream. But do not let that stop you or hinder you by working for someone else. Just make sure it’s temporary.
In entertainment, be sure to read over your paperwork carefully. Be open to others advice. Everything is ALWAYS negotiable and do not settle for less than what you deserve.”