Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ami Angelowicz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Ami , thanks for joining us today. Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. ther times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.

I’ve experienced two major career pivots—both triggered by layoffs—and while losing a job could easily be viewed as a failure, in both cases it turned out to be the catalyst for something far better. These so-called failures were actually the universe giving me the push I needed to realign with what I was truly passionate about.

The first pivot happened in 2009. At the time, I was working in Broadway production, a role that I thought was the pinnacle of success given my background in theater. But the reality was different. One summer afternoon, while pushing a massive set piece down 11th Avenue, I had a moment of clarity: I wanted to be writing scripts, not moving props. I was suffering from what experts call “misalignment burnout”—that feeling of being completely out of sync with the work you’re doing, even if it looks good on paper.

Six months later, I was laid off. And to be honest, I was relieved. I took the layoff as an opportunity to transition into a career I was more passionate about—writing. I started small, blogging about my experiences in the workforce, which quickly led to freelance writing gigs and eventually a full-time contract as a staff writer. That pivot opened doors I didn’t even know existed, and within a few years, I had worked my way up to a senior editor and built a career that was far more aligned with my strengths and interests.

Fast-forward to 2023, and I was once again facing a layoff—this time from a VP role in digital content and social media at a major corporate media company. While I had worked my way up to an executive position, I was once again experiencing misalignment burnout. Meetings consumed my days, and I was no longer doing the creative work I loved. When the layoff happened, I felt a sense of relief once again. But this time, the path forward wasn’t as clear.

After a few months of trying to figure out my next steps, I returned to the same strategy that had worked for me before: I focused on what lit me up. In August 2023, I launched a newsletter, Laid Off Life, which gave me a platform to write about career pivots and build a community of readers going through similar experiences. From there, I launched my own business, Align Digital + Social, where I help businesses and brands build content strategies that reflect their authentic voice. I also sold my first movie script and joined the Writer’s Guild—two personal milestones that never would have happened had I not experienced that second layoff.

The lesson? What looks like failure in the moment can often be the beginning of something new, something better. Sometimes, it takes a setback to realign your career with what you’re truly passionate about. And when that happens, the best thing you can do is trust the process, start by starting, and let the next chapter unfold.

Ami , 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?

Hi, I’m Ami Angelowicz, a writer, producer, and content strategist with more than 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry. My career began in theater, where I originally trained as an actor at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. After spending time in Broadway production, I realized that what I truly loved was writing and storytelling. That discovery led me to TheFrisky.com, a women’s lifestyle site, where I transitioned into digital content, eventually becoming the Senior Editor and managing the “Dating & Relationships” vertical.

From there, I had the opportunity to grow within Warner Brothers Discovery, ultimately becoming Vice President of Digital Content and Social Media, overseeing all online content and strategy for both Investigation Discovery and the Travel Channel. One of my proudest accomplishments was creating the digital series Still A Mystery, which gained such popularity online that it made its way to television. I’ve also developed and executive produced numerous podcasts that landed on Apple’s Top Charts. I’ve worked across nearly every storytelling medium—TV, social media, podcasts, newsletters—and I love crafting stories that capture attention and build passionate, loyal audiences. My work has been featured by TED, CNN, Dwell, Tripadvisor, and more.

Recently, I launched my business, Align Digital + Social (alignsocialmedia.com), where I help individuals, businesses, and brands navigate the chaotic, ever-evolving world of digital and social media. In today’s world, an online presence isn’t optional—it’s essential. But let’s be real: the online middle class is disappearing. You’re either going viral or shouting into the void. As legacy media shrinks and audiences fragment, anyone trying to reach consumers (readers, subscribers, customers, voters—you name it!) needs to be strategic about building their brand and crafting content that grabs attention, all while keeping up with constantly changing platforms. That’s where Align Digital + Social comes in—to help clients make sense of it all without losing their sanity. I offer custom packages or quick-fix sessions to help clients kickstart their online presence.

After getting laid off from my corporate media job, I launched my newsletter, Laid Off Life (laidofflife.substack.com), where I share personal experiences and help others navigate career pivots with humor and heart. I’m especially proud of the community it has built along the way. Another major milestone for me has been selling my first Hallmark Christmas movie and officially joining the Writers Guild—a longtime dream and a significant turning point in my career. Storytelling, for me, is all about creating meaningful connections with audiences, whether I’m writing a movie or TV show, producing a podcast, or helping a brand find its authentic voice. Learn more at amiangelowicz.com.

How did you build your audience on social media?

As a creative professional, I’ve spent years building effective social media strategies and large audiences for major brands—but when it came to doing the same for myself? Let’s just say…the struggle was real. In fact, I’ll take it a step further: I completely neglected my own social presence.

If the thought of building an audience on social media makes you want to burrito-wrap yourself in a blanket and never come out, I totally get it. Here are a few key pieces of advice I’ve learned from my professional experience:

1. Know your audience. Ask yourself, who are you trying to reach? Who are your clients, customers, or followers? Which platform(s) are they likely to be on? That’s where you need to focus your efforts.

2. Find your authentic voice. Social media is about creating a personal connection with your audience. To do that, you have to be true to yourself. What do you care about? What knowledge do you have to share? What do you want people to know about you? That’s your starting point.

3. Consider your format. What kind of content feels most natural to you—photos, videos, writing, audio? Stick to what feels authentic. Don’t try to force content formats that don’t resonate with you.

4. Experiment. Don’t be afraid to test things out. Play around until you find your sweet spot. Trial and error is how you figure out what works—and what doesn’t.

5. Be consistent. Establish a frequency that works for you and stick to it for at least a year. From all my experience, I can say that’s the only real way to grow an audience. Consistency is key to building trust and keeping people coming back.

6. Embrace slow growth. Organic growth doesn’t happen overnight. Be patient with the process and embrace the slow build.

If you need help building your social presence, this is exactly what my company, Align Digital + Social, does for our clients every day. Learn more at alignsocialmedia.com.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

What non-creatives often struggle to understand about the creative journey is just how unpredictable and non-linear it can be. While many careers tend to follow a more straightforward path, creativity doesn’t work that way—at least, it hasn’t for me. Creativity isn’t a straight line; it’s more like a winding road filled with detours, experiments, and occasional dead ends. The creative process is about discovery, and sometimes that means embracing uncertainty and change.

As a creative, I thrive on doing creative work, which means I probably won’t be happy sitting in meetings all day. The need for expression and innovation drives me, and often that leads to new projects, pivots, or even complete career shifts. It’s not about staying in one role or following a traditional career arc—it’s about exploring new parts of myself and my craft. Every shift is an opportunity to evolve, and that’s what keeps me engaged and excited.

Creativity also requires space—time to daydream, to let ideas simmer. It’s not about constant production. Sometimes, the most productive thing I can do is allow myself the freedom to mentally wander and see where inspiration takes me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amiangelowicz.com/. https://www.alignsocialmedia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amibeth78/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ami-angelowicz/
• Other: https://laidofflife.substack.com/

Image Credits

Photo by Jonathan Grassi (for my personal photo)