Marketing Happy Hour - Adapting Your Mindset During Career Hardship | Andie Wright (prev. Spotify, Twitter)

Starting point is 00:00:00 Hi, Andy. How are you? Hello. I am so good. Thank you so much for having me on. Happy Tuesday, not Monday. Yes. It feels like Monday for sure. We're recording this on the day after President's Day. So it's definitely a day that kind of drags because you're catching up from, you know, the week before and having a short week. But Andy, we're excited to have you and kind of talk through your journey. But before we get started, you know, it's marketing happy hour. So we have to ask this question. And we need to know what your go to happy hour drink is. Oh my gosh, so I have a rotation rotation so I'll just give a quick so definitely spicy marg I'm a spicy marg girl for sure I also love just a glass of champagne and then winter

Starting point is 00:00:54 months red wine or orange wine so those four on rotation oh my gosh so fun I'm such a huge orange wine girl like my dream is to open a natural wine shop. And so like, I'm always looking at all of the little like new first customer. I know I'm such a red wine girl. And when I moved to New York in the summer, I couldn't just be drinking red wine. That's literally crazy. So I got into orange wine and so I've expanded my repertoire, but yes, but I would say cocktail wise spicy marg always I'm a spicy marg out that love that so much and Cassie's the opposite too she was living in there in New York in the winter and would order Aperol spritzes which

Starting point is 00:01:34 is definitely a summer drink so you know what put some cranberries in there and it's a winter drink okay yeah exactly exactly yeah I would get some looks, but it's fine. I, and it's hilarious. Like we have this running joke. We'll go out to dinner, happy hour, whatever. And I'll take a drink menu anyways. And I'm like, I'll ask the waiter. I'm like, what's good here. And they'll tell me five different drinks. And I'm like, actually, I'm just going to have an Aperol Spritz. Yes. I support that. Of course. Thank you. Oh my gosh. Okay. Well, let's get into the conversation here. We want to hear a little bit about your career path so far, you know, like if you were in a job interview right now and they were like, tell us about

Starting point is 00:02:16 yourself, what would you say? So I'm Andy. So I'm from Southern California. I've spent most of my life there. I went to the university of Southern California. And when I graduated there, I got a role at Twitter in client partnerships and spent most of my time there on the Apple book of business. So consulting with Apple on how to advertise on Twitter. From there, I jumped over to Spotify. That's what led me to New York City. I've been here for about nine months and Spotify was the most incredible opportunity. I was on the retail vertical.

Starting point is 00:02:44 So doing very similar work, consulting with clients on how to advertise on Spotify. nine months and Spotify was the most incredible opportunity. I was on the retail vertical. So doing very similar work, consulting with clients on how to advertise on Spotify in the retail market. And just, I'm so lucky to have worked for two companies that I really believe in with great, great communities. And again, it got me to New York city working at Spotify. So. Awesome. Well, and I'm curious too, with one of your most recent roles, either, or you're, you're welcome to choose what's one of the most valuable lessons you learned that you're going to be taking into your next role. I would say at Spotify, having the opportunity to go into the office was so important to me,

Starting point is 00:03:21 just the connections I made and how important that culture at a company is. And that's something I've really been looking for as I'm interviewing. And as I'm just having these conversations is it's so important that you like where you're showing up to work and the people that you're spending so much of your time with. All right. Well, Andy, I know a lot of your story, but I just want our listeners to hear too. What inspired your recent job search? You know, was it a layoff or just looking to switch it up? Could you just share a little bit about your journey? Of course. So I have, and I say this with a lens of gratitude, truly, I've been a part of two really big layoffs. So as a part of the layoff, when Elon Musk bought Twitter back at the end of 2022,

Starting point is 00:04:01 and then I was also a part of the most recent layoffs at Spotify. That being said, truly could not be more grateful for the company. They handled the layoffs so elegantly. But that's what ultimately got me on the job market. But I truly loved working at Spotify. Nothing but amazing things to say. With this future role that you're looking for, it seems like you have quite a tech background. And so curious, are you looking to stay in tech? Do you have any ideas for a future role? Are there any dream companies you'd like to work for? Tell us all about what you're looking for in the next step.

Starting point is 00:04:39 So I think when I was laid off, I really took a step back and just thought about what I wanted for my next role. And I knew I wanted my my number one priority was I wanted to be in front of clients. I wanted to be client facing. I love connecting with people. That's my favorite thing to do. And so just really taking the opportunity to evaluate that. I think in terms of companies, I'm very open to tech, non-tech, big, small. I'm trying to cast a wider net just to not close myself off to opportunities.

Starting point is 00:05:10 But, um, I think a dream company would probably be Pinterest. I love the product and I think that's so important in what you're selling. And, um, I'm really looking for a place that is similar to Spotify because the culture there was amazing. And I've, I've heard great things about Pinterest. And with that being said, there's, I know there's so many companies that value their, their employees and where there's, there's amazing connections as well. So I'm just digging in there and we'll see where that road takes me.

Starting point is 00:05:38 But again, just trying to be open-minded and having these, these conversations with individuals in all different industries. Yeah. No, that's always good too. If you just go into it with an open mind and an open heart to whatever is going to come your way, you're going to get the perfect match for you. So while Pinterest might be your number one dream company, I'm sure something will come along, even if it's not Pinterest, that is a great fit. So I would to hear you know what's been something that you're learning during this time of looking for a job you know the the market is so difficult and we know a lot of people personally who's who've been looking for like a year which is crazy um and it feels like so overwhelming um but what have you kind of been learning as you navigate the job

Starting point is 00:06:22 market and what's kind of been keeping you going? I love this question. So thank you for this one. I think I have learned a lot. I think one is how much support I have in this process, both professionally and personally. And I think it's so important to approach this time with an air of gratitude because I think it can be very overwhelming and it can feel a bit lonely too. Just you have to structure your days and you have to find purpose. And with that, I think it's on a personal level, just realizing how much of your purpose originally comes or for me came from my career and how it's really forced me to evaluate who I am as a person and what's really important to me. And of course, I'm so excited to continue my career, but I think just focusing on what I do have and what I bring to the table

Starting point is 00:07:10 outside of my career is a really great reminder for, I'm sure a lot of people who listen to this podcast who are very motivated, have amazing careers. And while that's important, there's other things in life to value as well. And so it's really forced me to take a step back. I think also how willing people are to help. I think also how willing people are to help. I think if you're willing to put yourself out there, case in point with you, Erica, me reaching out to you and just asking to have a conversation, I think that is so valuable and people want to help people who want to help themselves. And I think just coming and being vulnerable and open about my experience. And also just how much I love networking. It's been so exciting.

Starting point is 00:07:47 I've talked, like I've mentioned in the past, I've talked to so many incredible individuals in all different industries. I've made connections with not just work-related future friends and people that I just have cared to get to know on a personal level as well. And so, yes, that's a lot of a lot of learnings, but it has been such an area of of learning for me. So our time of learning. So. Yeah, that's awesome and such a good perspective. I feel like a lot of times we look at these lulls or quiet times as we're not getting things done, we're not accomplishing anything, but there is truly that opens up a time of just networking and even hobbies, pursuing things like you said, Andy, outside of work and just finding excitement

Starting point is 00:08:33 and joy and other things in life. And I think that's a really good just adjustment there. Thank you. And I think also too, that helps bring a better version of yourself to work. And I think mental health has always been something that's been very important to me. And I've gotten to dedicate a lot of time to that. And that makes me excited for how I'm going to show up to the next company that I'm a part of. And in terms of hobbies too, I've always loved writing. I didn't really, I've never really written though.

Starting point is 00:09:02 And so I just kind of started writing this blog about New York and my time in New York. And it's just been so fun. Again, I literally think it's like my parents and two of my friends read it, but it's exciting to me. It gives me purpose and it's a new, it's a new hobby. So that's another, another little, little takeaway or way that I've grown through this process. Yeah, absolutely. It's always good to have something like an outlet or like a passion project that's outside of work that you're just excited about. And you know, you're not trying to like monetize it or make it like you're taking on a whole new role or a whole new job. It's always nice to have something like that, because you can be creative in that sense. You mentioned a little

Starting point is 00:09:41 bit in what you were just speaking about, about mental health. And I would love to just hear kind of like your journey with mental health, especially as someone who, you know, has had this really prosperous career and then been laid off twice, you know, that can really be, you know, that can really mess with you. And I would love to know how you're like conquering, you know, moving forward in your career and really championing yourself and your mental health and people out there? Of course. I mean, as I said, this is something that mental health is so important to me and a passion of mine and something that I've worked on my whole life as we all do. I think something I will say is I'm so impressed by the focus that companies have on mental health these days and also just the grace they have for who you are personally and what you need.

Starting point is 00:10:30 And so that's just for people out there who who are entering the workforce to just be optimistic about. They do care about you and they care about keeping you happy and healthy physically and mentally. I think in terms of just the layoffs in mental health, I think again, it's, it's reflecting on what's important to you and reflecting on who you want to be as a person. I think the most important thing you can do is show up authentically as yourself. And as long as you're being yourself, you are, you're doing the best you can do. And so again, I think also too, as we all have, we've all been through things in life. And I think just having a perspective that this is a, this is a serious thing, getting let go from your job, but there's so much growth from it and there's so much good to come from it.

Starting point is 00:11:15 And, um, but our, our mental health, that has to be number one, because again, that affects how you show up in every area of your life. And, um, that's something that I'm, we'll continue to work on my, my entire life. Couldn't agree more. So good. Well, thank you for that, Andy. But we are coming to a close here. So bummed to close out with you. We've had so much chatting on and off record. But Andy, if you don't mind, share with us where we can stay in touch with you. If there is a brand that wants to reach out to you about a position, how do we, how do we find you online? So I'm on LinkedIn should just be Andy, right? I'm on Instagram. My Instagram handles XOXO Andy, Andy IE. And then if anybody wants to read my blog, literally no pressure, but it's missed right now. And my last name is right with a W so W R I J H T. And thank you guys so much. I, again, I think what you're doing is

Starting point is 00:12:05 incredible. I think you are both incredible as people and as professionals, and I'm just so lucky to have had this chat and have gotten to know you. Oh my gosh, Andy. Well, thank you so much. And this has been great. I know there's a lot of really good nuggets in here that anyone listening will be able to take away. So we're excited to see where you land. Of course. Thank you. I will definitely keep you guys updated and excited to stay in touch. And again, thank you so much for having me on. Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Marketing Happy Hour podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on

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Marketing Happy Hour - Adapting Your Mindset During Career Hardship | Andie Wright (prev. Spotify, Twitter)

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