We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ace Anderson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ace below.

Ace, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Absolutely, I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it’s been a journey full of bold choices, calculated risks, and relentless grind. When I graduated with my BFA in Acting, I had confidence in my artistic abilities, but I knew I needed stability to support my dreams. So, I took a job as a graphic designer, leveraging my skills in visual storytelling. It was a great gig for two years until my boss grew frustrated with me pursuing acting on the side—even though my performance at work never wavered. That’s when I realized I couldn’t stay in a role that boxed me in.

I quit that job and chose freedom, even if it meant driving Lyft to pay the bills. That leap of faith allowed me to focus on my acting career, and within a year, I secured a full-time position as a resident actor at the Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center. Turns out, they’d been waiting for me to open up my availability! For five years, I honed my craft on stage while also co-founding One Great Vegan with my wife, Gabrielle. We leaned into our creativity, and during the pandemic, our content exploded—allowing us to transition into full-time film, television, and content creation careers.

Now, our hustle revolves around producing high-impact, viral content and developing products for our plant-based lifestyle brand. Alongside acting and music, I’ve used my design and marketing expertise to help other artists and entrepreneurs grow their own brands. Reflecting back, it wasn’t like this from day one. It took years of pivoting, learning, and collaborating. If I could go back, I’d focus on building my personal brand earlier and leveraging platforms like TikTok and Instagram sooner. The key is to trust the process, stay consistent, and not be afraid to bet on yourself.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Ace Anderson, also known as the “Ace of All Trades: The Modern Renaissance Man.” I’m an award-winning actor, rapper, comedian, filmmaker, spoken word poet, graphic designer, and creative director. My journey into the arts started early, fueled by a love for storytelling and a drive to create meaningful, impactful work across multiple disciplines.

After graduating with a BFA in Acting from Southern Methodist University, I spent two years as the lead graphic designer for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Though I loved the creative process, I realized I needed more freedom to pursue acting and other passions, so I took the leap into entrepreneurship. That leap eventually led to my founding The Striped Heart, a production company & creative agency where I help businesses and artists cultivate their vision through branding, design, and storytelling. Shortly after, I joined the Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center as a resident actor, where I performed in groundbreaking productions for five years.

In 2018, my wife Gabrielle and I co-founded One Great Vegan, a plant-based lifestyle brand that combines our love for creative storytelling with a mission to promote healthy living through food. Our innovative approach to content creation, including viral music-infused cooking shows, skyrocketed the brand’s following to over 300,000 across platforms. We’ve since expanded into coaching, product development, and educational resources for individuals looking to adopt a plant-based lifestyle.

Today, I wear many hats. As a content creator, I help brands and individuals build their presence with scroll-stopping videos, striking designs, and marketing strategies that deliver results. As an artist, I act in film and television, create music, and produce cinematic projects that inspire and entertain. Whether I’m crafting a visual identity for a startup or performing on stage, my work is about solving problems: helping businesses connect with their audiences authentically, empowering creatives to tell their stories, and inspiring individuals to pursue their dreams with boldness and humor.

What sets me apart? My versatility and authenticity. I’ve spent over a decade mastering a diverse range of skills—from acting to graphic design to content creation—and I bring that breadth of experience into everything I do. My aesthetic is bold, visually striking, and emotionally resonant, and I approach every project with the belief that storytelling has the power to transform lives.

I’m proud of many things: winning awards for my acting, designing viral campaigns for major brands, building a business with my wife that aligns with our values, and mentoring emerging creatives to find their voices. But most of all, I’m proud of my ability to keep evolving, to keep learning, and to keep building a life that reflects my passions.

For anyone considering working with me or following my journey, here’s what you should know: I’m committed to excellence, creativity, and authenticity in everything I do. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to elevate your brand, a fan of dynamic storytelling, or someone seeking inspiration for your own creative journey, I’ve got something for you. And if you’re looking for that perfect blend of humor, depth, and artistry, I’m your Ace in the corner.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When it comes to building an audience on social media, my number one piece of advice is consistency. You’ve got to show up, post often, and let the process teach you. Honestly, it takes at least 50 videos to even start understanding what works and what doesn’t. My journey on social media is proof that the key is to learn by doing.

For years, I was stuck. I started out posting photography and design work, which reflected my creative vision but didn’t showcase my core passion: acting. I wasn’t leveraging the platform to elevate my acting career or show who I really was. My follower count hovered around 1,500-2,000 for what felt like forever. Meanwhile, I watched other people—especially Instagram models and their photographers—blow up overnight. It was frustrating, to say the least.

Everything changed when I met my wife, Gabrielle. She became my muse, and I was convinced we could use her natural charisma and creativity to dominate social media. She, on the other hand, hated social media and had zero interest in being an influencer. At the time, we were deep in the actor’s grind—me with a steady gig at the Dallas Theater Center and her navigating the ups and downs of freelance work. But when she was between projects, she started feeling low. That’s when I had an idea.

Gabrielle was vegan and had shown me how easy and delicious plant-based cooking could be. I suggested we host gatherings and cook for friends, without telling them the food was vegan. It worked—we fooled a lot of people! That led to the launch of One Great Vegan in 2017. I designed the logo, created the branding, and helped build the company from the ground up. Gabrielle started catering, doing pop-ups, and posting on social media. Her consistency—posting daily, sharing her personality, and engaging with followers—paid off. Within a year, she had surpassed my follower count. By 2020, she hit 10,000 followers, and now she has over 300,000 followers on each platform.

Her success was a wake-up call for me. I had spent years avoiding the work it takes to build an audience, but seeing her grow made me realize that consistency and authenticity were the secret sauce. By 2021, I decided to fully commit to social media. The question was: What kind of content should I create?

As an artist, entrepreneur, and deep thinker, I wanted to share all the facets of who I am. But then it hit me—humor has always been a throughline in my life. I thought about my mom, who’s my biggest cheerleader, and how much joy I get from making her laugh. That’s when I started creating comedic content that felt true to me. I found my voice and discovered that humor was the perfect way to connect with people while showcasing my talents as an actor, writer, and creator.

Now, I get to do what I love every day: act, produce, write, and make people laugh, all while sharing my journey as a creative entrepreneur and vegan advocate. Social media has become a platform for me to inspire others to embrace their creativity, live authentically, and stay consistent.

My advice for those starting out?
– Be consistent: Post often, even when you don’t feel like it.
– Engage with your audience: Respond to comments, go live, and let people see the real you.
– Experiment and evolve: Your content doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be authentic.
– Find your voice: Focus on what makes you unique and lean into it.

Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Build your audience one post at a time, and stay true to your passions. You never know where it might take you.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Absolutely! There are several books and resources that have profoundly shaped my entrepreneurial philosophy and approach to management. Here are a few that stand out:

1. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill – This classic is like a blueprint for turning your dreams into reality. It taught me the power of mindset, persistence, and visualization in achieving my goals. The idea of having a “definiteness of purpose” hit me hard—it’s been a guiding principle in everything I do.
2. You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero – Sincero’s no-nonsense approach to self-belief and taking action is a game-changer. It’s a great reminder to stop overthinking and just go for it. This book taught me how to balance confidence with vulnerability, which is key when you’re managing people or building a brand.
3. Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill – This book opened my eyes to the subtle ways fear and procrastination hold us back. Hill’s concept of “drifting” inspired me to be intentional about my decisions and keep my focus sharp, especially in the face of distractions.
4. 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson – Peterson’s practical wisdom on taking responsibility and finding meaning in life has deeply influenced how I approach leadership. His ideas about structure, discipline, and pursuing what’s meaningful—not just expedient—are invaluable for any entrepreneur.
5. The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida – This book challenged me to think deeply about balancing purpose, relationships, and masculinity. It’s a powerful guide for staying grounded while pursuing your vision.

Since I’m dyslexic, I rely heavily on audiobooks—I can fly through them and absorb the big ideas quickly. But I also make it a point to buy the hard copies. Once I’ve listened to the audiobook, I go back to the physical book to take notes and highlight the parts that stand out to me. Listening first actually helps me read faster because I’ve already internalized the flow of the content.

These books have not only inspired me but have also given me tools to refine my thinking and decision-making. Whether it’s cultivating a winning mindset, managing my time better, or leading with purpose, they’ve played a pivotal role in shaping my entrepreneurial journey. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to level up their life or business.

On the visual side, my number one recommendation is the documentary The Secret. This film introduced me to the law of attraction and completely shifted my mindset.

The common thread among all these resources is the limitless power of the mind and the idea that what you focus on expands. The law of attraction is real: you get what you think about—every single time. These books and concepts helped me realize that if you can harness the power of your thoughts and push your mind to its maximum potential, there’s absolutely nothing you can’t achieve.

For anyone looking to level up their entrepreneurial or creative game, these are essential. They’ve taught me that success starts in the mind, and once you master that, everything else is just execution.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.AceOfAllTrades.xyz
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aceshotthat
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aceshotthat
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aceshotthat
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aceshotthat
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@IAmAceAnderson

Image Credits

Eli Dreyfuss