We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angeliqua Mcnair a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Angeliqua , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
I’m incredibly fortunate to say that in 2024, I’ve been able to turn We Are AM Agency into my full-time income. It’s been a rewarding and challenging journey, and I’m grateful for how far we’ve come. When I first launched the agency, I had a clear vision—one that I had planned and manifested. There have definitely been hurdles along the way, such as navigating situations where clients have experienced delays in payments or have struggled to meet financial commitments. While cash flow management can be challenging, it’s part of the entrepreneurial process, and I’ve learned to balance the setbacks with the wins. Through it all, I’ve stayed focused on my goals and maintained a daily practice of gratitude.
It wasn’t like that from day one. In the beginning, I had to balance in the beginning working as Head of Digital Marketing at a fast fashion company while gradually building We Are AM Agency. However, as I refined my brand and clarified my target audience, things began to shift. One of the major milestones for me was when I was able to set my rates to reflect the value I was providing, which led to more consistent revenue in different directions of expertise I’m great at. I also reached a point where I could work remotely, which has been a dream come true. This year, 2024, has been a particularly exciting year for us, especially since we haven’t even fully marketed the agency yet. A significant amount of our growth has come from referrals and the incredible tribe of people around me who consistently put me in the right rooms and send business my way.
Looking back, I realize there are a few things I could have done to speed up my growth. For example, I could have focused more on marketing myself and my agency earlier in 2024. While I was behind some incredible projects, I was so busy doing the work that I didn’t prioritize putting myself and my achievements out there. That said, the lessons I’ve learned through the challenges have been invaluable, and I wouldn’t trade those experiences. Moving forward, 2025 will be the year I intentionally market myself and my agency, showcasing the amazing work we’re doing and ensuring we’re no longer a hidden gem.
One of the key reasons for my success has been having a strong support network. I truly believe that no one succeeds alone. The people around me—who believe in my vision, offer advice, and connect me with opportunities—have played a critical role in helping me get to where I am today. Having a reliable and supportive community has been instrumental in the growth of We Are AM Agency.
2024 has been an amazing year, and I’m looking forward to the future. Being able to do what I love, work with incredible clients, and have the financial freedom to work from anywhere has been everything I dreamed of. Every step of the journey, even the most challenging ones, has led me to this point, and I’m so grateful for it.
Angeliqua , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’ve been immersed in the fashion, marketing, and business world for over 15 years, but the journey truly began with a spark of creativity. Growing up in New York City, I attended Ronald Edmonds Learning Center MS 113, where I majored in fine arts. My art teacher, Ms. Padila, recognized my passion for fashion early on and encouraged me to refine my fashion illustration skills. From there, I attended the High School of Art and Design, where I was surrounded by like-minded creatives, and my love for the industry truly took root.
While still in high school, I gained invaluable experience interning at IMG, Teen Vogue, and several fashion brands. I worked behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week shows when they were still held in the iconic tents, learning the ins and outs of the industry. Always eager to make an impression, I’d bring a change of clothes, sneak into other shows, and strategically position myself in prime seats, creating networking opportunities and connections that would later shape my career. My street style gained attention from publications like Elle, Fashion Bomb Daily, and Swagger New York, and I became a prominent figure on Tumblr, where I built a significant following for my fashion-forward looks.
Professionally, my career started in the corporate fashion world as a wholesale executive for a prominent women’s ready-to-wear brand. This role taught me about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of retail and distribution, but it also helped me realize my knack for marketing and storytelling. I transitioned into PR and marketing, focusing on crafting brand narratives, building strategic partnerships, and creating impactful campaigns.
I went on to become a marketing manager for a luxury fashion brand, where I developed and executed comprehensive strategies that elevated the brand’s presence and solidified its positioning within the industry. Working closely with socialites and tastemakers, I learned the art of blending aspirational branding with real, actionable results. I also gained experience leading marketing efforts for fast-fashion companies, where I honed my ability to pivot quickly in a fast-paced environment, and for e-commerce platforms like Blue & Cream. These roles required not only creativity but also a deep understanding of analytics, customer behavior, and brand strategy.
What sets me apart is that I’ve worked across nearly every aspect of the industry—from PR to event curation, digital marketing, and brand strategy—giving me a 360-degree perspective on how to build and scale a brand. Whether I was creating campaigns for emerging designers, collaborating with established names, or curating influencer partnerships, every step in my career has built upon the last, providing me with a wealth of knowledge that I now bring to my agency.
In addition to fashion, I explored the business side of the industry through my education at the Art Institute of Atlanta and Berkeley College, where I studied Fashion Marketing and Management. During my junior and senior years, I even delved into the legal side of fashion, interning at law firms to explore the world of fashion law. and even working as a Sr Paralegal in contracts and real estate for YEARS! While law wasn’t my ultimate calling, it gave me a solid foundation in contracts, intellectual property, and negotiation—skills that have been invaluable in my marketing career.
Today, as the owner of AM Agency, I bring all of this experience together to help clients across various industries, including fashion, beauty, and sports. My agency offers services like brand strategy, social media management, public relations, event curation, and on-site content creation. I’ve had the privilege of working on everything from large-scale product launches to intimate brand activations, always with a focus on delivering results that align with each client’s unique vision and goals.
What I’m most proud of is my ability to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing industry. My time in corporate roles gave me the foundation I needed to understand the mechanics of branding and marketing, while my entrepreneurial spirit has allowed me to push boundaries and create opportunities for myself and others.
To potential clients and followers: My work isn’t just about marketing—it’s about creating meaningful connections, elevating your vision, and turning ideas into reality. Whether it’s a digital campaign, an event, or a long-term brand strategy, I’m committed to helping my clients shine.
This journey hasn’t been linear, but every chapter has been essential. The lessons I learned from my corporate marketing career have shaped the work I do today, and I’m excited to continue building and helping others make their mark. I believe in creating your own table, and now, I help others do the same.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
Absolutely—what began as a side hustle eventually turned into my full-time business and career. Looking back, the journey was full of twists and turns, but every step played a crucial role in shaping where I am today.
The foundation for my entrepreneurial path was laid in college, where I became known as “The Fashionpreneur.” Coming from New York, I had access to resources, experiences, and networks that many of my peers didn’t, and I naturally gravitated toward helping them. I provided startup fashion brands with PR and marketing guidance, creating strategies and helping them establish their presence. I was essentially running a business while still in school, managing monthly retainers for my services and navigating client relationships.
During that time, my then-boyfriend Dante, who was a talented basketball player and skilled in graphic design and building websites, played a huge role in helping me bring “The Fashionpreneur” to life. We worked together on branding and laying the foundation for the business. Reflecting now, I realize how ahead of the curve we were. If I had stayed focused and not been deterred by life’s challenges, I can only imagine what “The Fashionpreneur” might have grown into today.
It wasn’t without its lessons, though. I shared my vision and business model with someone I considered a friend, and they ended up taking the concept and running with it. That experience taught me an important lesson about protecting my ideas and being cautious about who I share my plans with. Still, I never let that stop me—it only fueled my determination to keep going.
Fast forward to my corporate career, where I worked as the Head of Digital Marketing for a major company. While the role taught me invaluable skills and gave me insight into the corporate side of branding, I often felt overworked, underpaid, and undervalued. That’s when I started planning my exit. I began having conversations with my network at places like Soho House and with my business-minded friends, sharing my vision and testing the waters to see if there was demand for my services.
While multitasking trying to figure things out I was also assisting my then-boyfriend, a professional soccer player, with his personal branding and marketing efforts. I helping him craft his online presence to secure brand deals, and start the fashion run way before games. This experience was eye-opening; it highlighted the power of personal branding and the impact it can have on an athlete’s career.
What started as freelancing quickly gained momentum. I was helping brands with social media, PR, and marketing strategies, and the results spoke for themselves. Word of mouth grew my client base, and soon, my side hustle was becoming something much bigger than I had envisioned.
The turning point came when I decided to fully bet on myself. I left my corporate role to officially launch We Are AM Agency. I didn’t have all the answers at the time, but I had the vision and the faith to make it happen.
Some of the key milestones along the way include:
-Building My Network: My connections in fashion, PR, and marketing became the foundation of my business, with many becoming my first clients or referrals.
– Securing Retainer Clients: Transitioning from sporadic freelance projects to consistent retainers allowed me to scale my business sustainably.
– Expanding Into Diverse Industries: From fashion and beauty to sports and beyond, my work has proven adaptable and effective across various markets.
– Making the Leap: Leaving my corporate job was one of the scariest yet most rewarding decisions I’ve made. It allowed me to fully dedicate myself to building my agency.
Today, AM Agency is a thriving full-service marketing and communications firm that provides everything from brand strategy to PR, event curation, and social media management. It allows me to help clients amplify their voices and make their mark, all while doing work I love.
When I reflect on my journey, I feel immense pride in how far I’ve come. I’ve been doing this work in some capacity since my college days, and every experience—from building “The Fashionpreneur” to navigating corporate life—prepared me for this moment. While I sometimes wonder what “The Fashionpreneur” could have been if I had stuck with it, I believe every step along the way was necessary to lead me to where I am now. If anything, it reminds me to always trust my vision and keep pushing forward, no matter the challenges.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Pivoting has been a defining theme in my career journey. I began in fashion, building a solid foundation, but eventually felt that the industry wasn’t compensating me adequately. This led me to transition into law, where I advanced to a senior paralegal position, focusing on contracts and real estate transactions. During this time, I also engaged in small entertainment projects to maintain my connection to my passions.
Despite achieving success in the legal field, I experienced burnout and a growing desire to return to my creative interests. I enrolled in law school, specializing in contracts and real estate, with a focus on entertainment law. Simultaneously, I launched “Melanin on Wall Street,” aiming to highlight the presence of women of color in the Real Estate + financial sector. Women who were changing the face of corporate and business. At 25, I also opened “Fancy Spectacular,” a children’s spa, which became profitable quickly. However, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the business, and I had to close it while planning to expand to a larger location.
During the pandemic, I returned to the legal field but eventually decided to pivot back to my passions. I developed a plan to re-enter the fashion and beauty industry, leveraging my diverse experiences to create a unique approach. This strategic pivot allowed me to align my career with my true passions and skills.
Contact Info:
- Website: www,WeareAMAgency
- Instagram: @itsmsfancytoyou
- Facebook: We Are AM Agency
- Other: Personal: @itsmsfancytoyou
Agency:Weareamagency
Threads: @itsmsfancytoyou
Image Credits
FashionbombDaily
Group pic is when I used to be a paralegal at EEPLAW
Desk pic of me having my vision board and plan as a paralegal
The Fashionpreneur photo with me and a old friend helping me talk to my peers who were interested in launching fashion brands
A photo of the inside of my kids spa Fancyspatacular in Williamsburg,Brooklyn + Photo of the outside of my kids spa
Photo with the Alexander Wang Scarf – Photo from Swagger New York ( This pic has been viral all of the internet back them
others are current photos of myself now