Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in content creation but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Amy and Nancy Harrington, Founders of The Passionistas Project, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Passionistas Project® is a media company that inspires women to follow their passions and join forces in the fight for equality for all through a podcast, Internet radio and online shopping shows, subscription box, live and virtual events, the annual Power of Passionistas women's equality summit and an online community.
Tell us about yourself
We're sisters Amy and Nancy Harrington, the founders of The Passionistas Project. We have created a growing community of women who are following their passions and working to level the playing field for us all. The Passionistas Project is a feminist family tree of women business owners, artisans, activists, and more, who are joining our mission to build a global network of women supporting women. We left successful careers in the entertainment business to pursue our own passions, so we understand the satisfaction that comes with following our hearts. We thrive on creating a safe space for women who want to do the same.
Before starting The Passionistas Project, Amy was the Vice President of Visual Effects and Post Production for all feature films at Warner Bros., working on movie franchises like "Harry Potter," "Batman" and "The Matrix." Nancy had her own successful theater company and graphic design firm in Boston before moving to California and working as a creative executive, producing Academy Awards campaigns for Miramax.
We left our lucrative careers at the same time to embark on a new journey together, founding Pop Culture Passionistas®. Our love of pop culture led us to a career as a celebrity interviewers. We've interviewed over 1,500 people, including over 60 one-on-one in-depth oral histories and hundreds of high-octane red carpet interviews at the Emmys. We've conducted and/or produced interviews with top-name celebrities, including Mick Jagger, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Deepak Chopra, Carol Burnett, and more.
We were passionate about our entertainment careers, but something was missing. Inspired by the new women's movement, we decided to use our interviewing skills to create a platform where women can tell their own unfiltered stories. We thrive on discovering and sharing the stories of emerging entrepreneurs, artisans, activists, and more, who are trailblazers and cutting-edge thought leaders. From a street artist to a tea entrepreneur, a Black Lives Matter attorney to an auctioneer, we use our media company to shine a light on the positive stories of women worldwide.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment has been building a community of women who cheer each other's successes, lift each other up through difficult times, create a microeconomy by buying from each other's businesses, and inspire each other to follow their passions.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing about being a business owner is reaching a broader audience. Our mission is to be an inclusive community that supports women from diverse backgrounds, especially marginalized women. We are always looking for new ways to spread the word about The Passionistas Project and to shine a spotlight on the amazing work our Passionistas do.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find your people — Grow your community and business by focusing your attention on the people who connect with the work you do. Don't worry about everyone else. They are not your people.
- Follow your passions — Tapping into your unique skills and interests will lead to greater satisfaction and fulfillment and a career path that aligns with your values and goals. You will be more likely to take risks, innovate and bring fresh perspectives if you are doing what you love. And you'll help to break down traditional gender roles and empower women on a path to becoming successful entrepreneurs and leaders.
- We are stronger together — We have the power to overcome obstacles when we join together and support each other. Together, we are stronger, more resilient, and more capable of achieving our goals. By lifting each other up, sharing our experiences, and collaborating, we can create positive change and empower ourselves and those around us. Let's embrace our collective strength and work towards a more equitable and inclusive future.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.thepassionistasproject.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePassionistasProject/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepassionistasproject/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PassionsProj
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepassionstasproject/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.