We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Antonio Higgins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Antonio, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Initially I wanted to get a job at a design studio as a graphic designer. This was what I went to school for but ended up in the supply chain industry career wise. This was before the pandemic and most companies were not really open to people looking to change their career paths or in my case industries all together. I felt the choice of hiring me vs hiring a recent graphic designer grad was going to be a huge hurdle to jump in the eyes of the companies I was applying to. My found out that my assumptions were true. I must have applied to hundreds of positions within a six-month period. I didn’t hear back from over half of the recruiters I summited resumes to and others replied back with me being unfortunately unqualified or them perusing other candidates over me. Then came the pandemic, hiring freezes, the great resignation etc. So instead of just competing with newly graduated design student I was completing with other industry hopers or others looking to relocation from around the country.

After close to a year of receiving rejection letters and being discourage with every non application reply I decided to start my own design and creative company. I started off working with family and friends on different graphic design projects. These gigs led to word-of-mouth referrals, networking, connections and other resources. I eventually started also writing copy, leading to writing books. I am not a self-published author of four titles currently being sold all over the world, anywhere books are sold. One of my titles, a comedy series I created an animated web series for. This series has also been selected for finalist short list for a few file festivals as well. I have been able to have books tours and have write ups on established company sites as well.

If I stopped believing in myself and let all of the rejections and options of others kill my dreams and goals, I would have always wondered what if? With every rejection or non-reply, I used it to push harder. I learned more, practiced longer, searched for recourse and mentors to find out what I didn’t know. If I let the fear of rejection and failure stop me, I would have never taken the risk of starting my own business and creating the projects from my visions and making them reality. Despite all of the obstacles that were in front of me I remained brave. Now bravery is not the absence of fear but doing the right thing despite the fear. No once will believe in you more than you until you show them why they should. So, I would tell anyone not to be discouraged but motivated to go that much harder and endure until you reach your goals. Don’t be afraid to fail or to take a risk and never stop learning and bettering yourself.

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

I am an author, graphic designer and comedian. As a child I enjoyed creating, from Lego, drawing and writing stories. It is truly what I wanted to do as a child when I grow up. I went to college and received a degree in computer simulation and game development with focus in graph design mostly. After working in an industry, like many other different from what that went to school for. I rediscovered my passion for creative project just before the pandemic. Just like with many others the pandemic added much needed fuel to the fire allowing me to take the risk to start the company I have today. My company Antonio Higgins Production, currently provides graphic design work, motion graphic, video editing and publish books services.

I love to create enjoyment through my works in the forms of books, graphic design, music, comedy skits and jokes. My works consist of life experiences and real events involving people I have encountered throughout my life. Within my unique writing style, I like to sprinkle in humor, giving my work a lighthearted undertone, while providing knowledgeable information as well.

More of our works can be seen at AHPstudio.com or FTLYouTube.com.
AHP studio, We design Success, Let’s work together!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me the most rewarding aspect of being an author and creative is releasing my works to the public. Seeing the ideas I had in my head convert to notes and task and then become reality. Seeing how people interact or respond to what I have created is the best feeling. Nothing feels better then seeing your hard work appreciated but even if some don’t like your work it inspired an emotion with means it is art.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I ultimate goal is to have my comedy series books and web series to gain global recognition and to be picked up by some major outlet. This is the main mission and vision driving my creative journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.FTLYouTube.com
• Instagram: @AntonioAHP
• Facebook: @AHPstudioATL
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/ahpstudio/
• Twitter: @LaughterFollow
• Youtube: www.FTLyoutube.com
• Other: TikTok @followthelaughter