We recently connected with Antoinette Ransom and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Antoinette thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Being a small business owner and serial entrepreneur certainly has its rewards, but it also presents some tough realities. Let’s start with the advantages. One of the greatest aspects of entrepreneurship is the creative autonomy it provides. I love the flexibility in setting my own hours and the ability to shape my financial future. I’ve worn many hats in my business ventures, which has given me the chance to learn a variety of roles—from operations to marketing to management—and I’ve also had the privilege of working alongside a team that constantly challenges me and teaches me new things.

Over the past 18-plus years, I’ve started several small businesses. It’s been a journey of trial and error, with a lot of time spent figuring out my niche. Recently, however, I’ve started to reflect on whether it makes sense to keep pushing forward with my business or to step back and take a corporate position. The current economic situation in the United States plays a big role in this decision-making process. We’re witnessing an economic downturn that feels like a slow march toward another Great Depression. Inflation is wiping out the middle class, which is where I find myself, housing prices are through the roof, interest rates are still high despite recent reductions, and the job market feels unstable. Many families, even those with two incomes, are struggling just to put food on the table, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.

Because of these circumstances, I considered applying for upper-level management positions in corporate America. But when I did, I found myself being interviewed by recent college graduates who had no real work or life experience. That’s when I took a step back. I spent some time praying and doing some serious soul-searching, and I came to a decision: I can’t see myself working for an employer that hires millennials with no experience and overlooks those of us who have Master’s degrees, PhDs, and years of practical know-how. It’s a sad reality I’ve witnessed over and over.

What happens when you’re over 35, have a wealth of experience, and hold top-tier qualifications? Sometimes, it seems like it works against you, which is crazy. I was recently interviewed by a 26-year-old who had just started at the company, and she had the audacity to tell me that I needed more job experience because I’ve been self-employed. I was offended because, as any business owner knows, we often work twice as hard as employees. We’re responsible for everything, and we don’t have the luxury of a guaranteed paycheck every two weeks. It’s frustrating to see companies hire individuals like that while passing over those who have truly earned their stripes. That’s the unfortunate truth.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

It’s difficult to pin down exactly what I do because I’m involved in so many different areas. At the moment, I’m the Director of Media Relations for a country rock band called Austin Martin & The Herd. I’ve been working with them for the past two years, and what started as a professional relationship has grown into something more like family. One of my proudest accomplishments with them was securing sponsorship deals with Coca-Cola, Stockman Bank, Shipton’s Big R, and Bretz RV. My team and I helped shape their brand, build their online presence, create marketing content, and establish a nonprofit partnership to support their community outreach programs.

What many people don’t realize is that I’m also a licensed insurance producer in 14 states, specializing in life and health insurance, along with some fixed index investments. This work helps supplement my income, especially during slower periods with my creative projects. Lately, both of my businesses have been slow, though things typically pick up around the holidays.

What sets me apart is my diverse experience in the entertainment industry, my passion for mentoring young entrepreneurs and recent graduates, and my knack for thinking creatively when it comes to strategic ways to generate revenue. I’ve also developed a reputation for being savvy when it comes to pitching sponsors, investors, and securing funding for various projects. While I’m not always successful, I manage to hit the mark most of the time.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Oh wow, I have a few, but the one that stands out the most is when I withdrew $110k from my retirement savings to invest in my production company. The company itself was fantastic, though we experienced the usual growing pains that come with building a business. In 2012, I became a mother, and working 16-hour days just wasn’t feasible with a baby. By 2016, after a big event at the La Jolla Contemporary Art Museum, I decided to put the productions on hold for a while. Looking back, I wouldn’t have taken that $110k from my retirement if I could do it all over again. At the time, I had so many people relying on me to make it work, so it felt like I didn’t have any other choice. In reality, though, I later realized that the smarter move would have been seeking out small business loans or investors to raise the capital.

The hard truth is, once you take money out of your retirement, you can’t replace it, and I haven’t been able to. That money could’ve gone toward buying a house or property, and it’s one of my biggest regrets. I took a major financial risk, and although we had several successful years, we just about broke even in the last two, which forced me to rethink the entire business. For a long time, I was really hard on myself, wondering, “What if I had chosen a different path?”

But eventually, I bounced back stronger and drafted a more solid business plan, especially when it came to event production and working with artists. That’s when I discovered the power and profitability of sponsorships and dove deep into learning about it. I had been partnered with sponsors for my events, but I had to master the business and marketing aspects. That meant a lot of reading and learning to analyze budgets, but it made all the difference in the end.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

There have been so many positive influences that have shaped my leadership style. My team often tells me I’m a “natural leader,” and I believe leadership is something you either have innately or you don’t. It’s something you can nurture, but it’s hard to teach someone who doesn’t have that natural ability. Two people who have inspired my leadership, and this might sound unexpected, are Martin Luther King Jr. and Denzel Washington. People are always surprised when I mention Denzel. It’s not because he’s a talented actor, handsome, or wealthy (though he is all of those things); it’s the wisdom and insight he shares. His words inspire artists and business owners to strive for greatness, and he does it in such a subtle, impactful way. One thing he said that really stuck with me is, “Don’t mistake movement for progress because you can run in place.” Think about that! Every business owner needs to hear it.

Books have also played a huge role in shaping my leadership. I have over 200 books in my bedroom right now, though I used to have around 500 before I donated most of them to the library. Three books that have had a big influence on my strategic leadership style are Helping People Win at Work by Ken Blanchard and Garry Ridge, The 3rd Alternative by Stephen Covey, and The ONE Thing by Gary Keller. These books have provided me with practical steps for leading a team with diverse personalities, challenges, and goals. It’s definitely a balancing act, but as a leader, you have to treat everyone equally and learn how to communicate with them effectively.

My leadership style is a mix of transformational and authoritative. I don’t believe in micromanaging—if I have to micromanage, then you’re not the right fit for my team. You need to trust and believe in your team members, allowing them to shine in their roles while giving guidance and input. That’s how real growth happens.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aloveransom.com/ https://ambushevents.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/antoinette_love_ransom/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/antoinetteloveransom/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinetteloveransom/
• Twitter: https://x.com/antoinettelove
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@antoinetteloveransom?si=xtT7m09fdqK_VMte
• Other: On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@antoinetteloveransom

Image Credits

Photographer: Daniel Morales from Daniel Images
Clothing: Urban Girl in Delmar, CA
Hair by: Chanel’s Hair Boutique
Bookstore: Bluestocking Books in Hillcrest, CA
Makeup by: Nancy Rico

It’s fine for your team to use the images. I paid the photographer for the images he’s fine whatever I do with them I own them.