We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Austreah Garnes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Austreah below.
Austreah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I actually started getting interested in television production back in high school, I studied television and radio production to be exact, more of the “behind the scenes”. Like directing shows, producing, and even camera work. Then once I graduated from high school, I wanted to continue my studies because I was interested in and comfortable in the production field. So I came to the decision whether to go to Full Sail University in Florida or stay local and attend Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts (now Specs Howard School of Media Arts), and I chose to stay home and attend Specs Howard. Best decision I made. I learned so much there! I studied Television and Radio Productions and got to work hands-on and even got some gigs as a Production Assistant for different projects.
After graduating from Specs Howard, I started modeling and then met my husband and started a family so I had to put my career in Media Production on hold, that was in 2009. In 2016, I got back into my career, and it has been such a learning experience. Getting into the gaming industry as a content creator and having the background that I have has truly given me a power boost. Having that knowledge of what the audience whats to watch and/or listen to, directing, and producing shows, and being creative at the same time are the skills that have made me stand out.
Would I have wanted to speed up the process, yeah. But would it have made me into the person I am now, I don’t think so. I have a few sayings and one of them is to Trust The Process! You have to trust the process that is making you into the person that you want to be, you can’t rush it at all!
I believe the obstacle for me is staying on top of new trends and new platforms that are popping up. Seeing what works for my brand and my community and what doesn’t. Not trying all of the hot trends and seeing the outcome of what works and what doesn’t. So far it’s been in my favor, but “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
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
Hey friends! I’m MsPinky313, but I go by Pinky, and I’m a Gaming Content Creator, Influencer, Host, and Executive Producer based out of Detroit, Michigan, born and raised. I’ve always had a love for video games, ever since Super Mario World on Super Nintendo. So having a background in Television and Radio Production, I said why not put the two things that I’m passionate about together! I came across Twitch around 2015 and watched some of my favorite creators play and stream my favorite games. So I started my gaming content and established my community, the Pink Squad, in August 2016 on Twitch.
My content is known for being inspiring, helpful, and light! I give daily affirmations to my community. I think the biggest thing that I’m known for at the moment is being the “Auntie” of gaming. I tend to make my content around that “family and home” feeling. I do tend to have a few choices of words during my streams and gameplay, but I make sure if my kids, nephew, niece, or their friends that you can feel confident that they are safe with “Auntie Pinky”. I also believe that that is what sets me apart from other people in the gaming industry as a content creator. I make sure to bring love and light into my live streams. Be a positive force to that person that chooses to watch me that day. Because in our times right now you never know what a person is going through, and I want to be able to make that person’s day by saying “hey friend hey!”, “you are love, you are awesome, you are light!”, and positive and loving affirmations. Straight cool auntie vibes!
Through gaming content creation, I’ve been able to network with other Gaming Content Creators and well-known companies and brands. Brands such as Gamer Advantage, White Castle, H&M, and Pandora. I have been able to stream for charities such as F Cancer and Starlight Children’s Fund. It has also led me to be a Gaming Content Creator for Blerd.com and Black Gamer League, and a podcast Co-Host for RealOnesGaming Podcast. I’ve been nominated for Facebook Gaming Streamer of the Year and the “Shooters Gotta Shoot” Award by BIPOC Streamer Awards and nominated for Facebook/Meta Gaming Streamer of the Year, Creative Streamer of the Year, and Designer of the Year by The Gamehers Awards.
In January 2021, my brand and content began growing rapidly, and that got the attention of many people and organizations. I then applied for the Facebook Black Gaming Creator Program in the same month. A little time went by, and then I was asked to be on the Front Page of Twitch. This sent my content and my brand upward. So I thought it would be a good idea to apply for a partnership with Twitch and was denied. No later than a week I became a Facebook Gaming Partner and a part of the Black Gaming Content Creator Program in March 2021! I say that to say that when one door closes three more will open! I’m also a part of The Noir Network, a network created for Black femmes in content creation with a focus on education & brand development.
The one thing that I am proud of is myself. Being from Detroit, we hustle hard, we work hard for what we want and I did it! I worked hard for this, I’m creating a brand and a business for my children so that they have their own and don’t have to work for anyone else but themselves. And I’m very much proud of ALL the accomplishments that I’ve gotten so far!
My hard work, dedication, and branding is how I started my company TMMP, Talented Ms. Mitchell Productions. started. I’ve created shows, skits, and podcasts, Red Cups and Games, For Science, Auntie Pinky, Thugcraft, and Say That Again Podcast. TMMP is a collective group of talented and driven content creators creating awesome and dope content with each other. TMMP was initially thought of back in 2005 but not until recently, in June 2022, I was able to make it come to a reality. I’ve been able to establish myself as a content creator and it’s now time to establish TMMP.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The main thing I had to unlearn is that I am not for everybody. Everybody will not like my content or even me for that matter. But there are a lot of people that will like and enjoy my content! I also tell that to other creators. You have to understand that so there would be a lot of pressure on you to please everyone. Make the type of content that you want to make! Don’t fall into the hole of being like everyone else. Be unique and different!
I use to try to please everyone with my content and would tear myself up, mentally, trying to keep up, but not anymore. Once I got out of the headspace I started to see a change and started growing as a person and a brand.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect is when I have my community or new people coming to see my content saying that they feel loved when they come to my live streams, that they are proud of me, that they love my vibes, they love the show vibes, the community vibes. I love that, makes me feel that I’m doing this right and to continue on making great content. I love my Pink Squad Friends community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mspinky313.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/313queenpinky
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MsPinky313
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austreahgarnes
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsPinky313Play_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/313MsPinky
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mspinky313 TMMP https://linktr.ee/tmmpstudios
Image Credits
David Garnes Photography Bunnii Gang Kali Rogers-Smith Rhedeont Photography Christina Amato, Creative Director at Gamer Advantage.