We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrea Walker-Williamson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrea below.
Andrea, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Let’s talk about innovation. What’s the most innovative thing you’ve done in your career?
I used historical events and hero’s to create original content and educate my audience. I used these historically relevant themes to keep our stories alive and spark the interest of others. I created a niche market by diving deep into history and building documentaries, highlighting the under dog and celebrating big events that might have been overlooked over time.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a storyteller, director and producer who oversees and creates narrative stories through dramas, documentaries, and in the literary world.
I started out writing in a journal as early as twelve. I would write stories and read them out loud. Reading my work was the only time that I wasn’t nervous. As I continued to grow, I started to work with various school news teams. I became the staff writer at three college newspapers then I began writing for several magazines. For the last five years I’ve been a staff writer for Affluence Magazine and I continue to build a writing career here. I have published three books: “Mama, who is Jesus?” As well as “Moments in time: Poetry of grief and healing” and “Through Our Eyes.”
My first play was selected by the NAACP for a theater festival in 2010 and at that time I was actively involved in set design and cinematography on film productions but over the years I’ve become more involved with the executive side of production. I produced the short film “Unhinged” which won the (2021) Sofie short film awards, and “The Turnaround,” which won the (2019) Sofie awards.
The pandemic forced me to refrain from working on set for several months and allowed me to focus on my writing. I am currently in development with my first feature as well as directing two powerful documentary projects that are in production at the moment. I have also produced two films that are in post production.
One thing that sets me apart from others is that I’m genuine and I care about people. I can’t be bought. My ethics aren’t for sale and my goal is to build people and build a legacy-therefore my platform is totally unique.
A problem that I solve—there isn’t enough entertainment that is being created for families to enjoy together. Everything being made caters to an audience that doesn’t resonate with everyone in the household but my content caters to family entertainment and bringing people together.
Fun fact— Andrea’s most recent projects in development include producing “Bloodstained banner, ” in addition to a drama fight film “Amaya,” The botched robbery that goes awry in “Brackish Waters” and the Soultrain collective in “Conversations with soul.” I am currently in production on the documentary “Dear Morris Brown” a film about the HBCU as well as “Concrete Footprints,” a film about land ownership.
Andrea has a film degree from Clark Atlanta University and a graduate degree in business from Full Sail University. Andrea is the founder of Create Noise.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
When I started my business I was working as a social worker in a totally different industry. I had published my first book and I was generating sales by promoting the books and shirts on social media and in my company emails. I would send out weekly messages to different departments and make sales that way. I didn’t break even with what I spent until I had my book launch event. I did several pop up events and partnered with private businesses that allowed me to setup a table to promote my business.
Eventually I had to take several classes through the small business center and any networking opportunities available. I became a speaker at neighboring schools and expanded my t-shirt and apparel business. Any extra money I could use was reinvested into my company and eventually I was able to break even with what I spent. I had to come up with creative short term freelance jobs that allowed me to eventually leave my job and become a full time business owner.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Two months after I started my business and launched my first book, my husband died in an auto accident and it left me broken and depressed. I had to attend counseling and seek spiritual guidance. I now have a coach for every strong area of my life. I have a business coach, a financial advisor as well as a team for my business and most importantly a spiritual mentor and teacher. Losing someone you love allows you to view life differently and my husband leaving us so soon forced me to build towards leaving a legacy.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.createnoise.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createnoise1/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createnoise/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-walker-williamson-mba-00857524/