We were lucky to catch up with Monsée recently and have shared our conversation below.

Monsée, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

Graduation was approaching quicker than expected, with a mixture of emotions brewing like never before. Happiness coated my thoughts as I finally achieved this four-year goal, but now it meant that adulthood begins. After graduation, like every other post-student, I applied for jobs in my field of study. However, weeks went by with receiving rejection letters one after another, until one day I received a positive reply asking me to come in for an interview. Yay…

Midway through the interview, I realized that this decently salaried, full-time position was not in my field of study. At this point, I needed money and was tired of working at the Outback Steakhouse at the host stand seating people whom I looked up to. One of those people was a popular radio station DJ whom I had made a logo for while I was still in school, I charged him $100 for it. When he walked into Outback with his girlfriend and saw me, the look on his face was like that of a parent whose child had received all C and D’s on their report card. That was the day I told myself to keep applying to jobs in my field and not give up. Two weeks later, here I am at the interview I thought would change my life, and it did, but not how I had imagined.

The company was a bank, a very popular one! I thought I would be doing design work for this epic company in their graphics design department, but they told me that I had to start in a basic department for a minimum of 6 months and work my way up the chain to become eligible to apply for the graphics department and be transferred… Yay…

I motivated myself by thinking, “6 months of salary! 6 months will fly by!” However, 6 months later when I was ready to transfer out, they forgot to mention the fine print, which was: ‘you can transfer out if the position is available in your department of choice.’

In my case, that position never became available.

Two years later, I had grown very comfortable, making good money with multiple raises, great benefits, and promotions to higher-ranked positions within the department. I had become the #1 employee in the department nationwide, earning a significant salary and great bonuses.

In addition to this, I was freelancing graphic designs at night when I left my 9-5.

One random morning, I was approached by my supervisor, who was smiling from ear to ear, concealing great news. She was so excited to tell me that the CEO was coming in today, and I had been selected as one of the five employees to sit at a round table meeting with him. Yay…

Well long story short, I let him know exactly how I felt and he got me an interview the next day with the design department. The interview didn’t go the way I expected.

After the closing of the interview with lead creative of the department, she told me that she was inspired by me. Then followed up with, “You’re way too talented and should freelance full time instead of asking everyone to hire you. I’ll hire you right now at $80K/Yr and you’ll start Monday! But if I had your talents I’d start my own agency, you’re incredible and fully capable. But you definitely got the job, Monsée. Let me know tomorrow, sleep on it.” Yay…

That evening, I went to my best friend’s recording studio, where he worked as a music producer. This was a place where I found comfort and inspiration for my freelance projects. As he made beats, the earlier interview weighed heavily on my mind, and I imagined all the things I could buy with the potential $80K salary. I felt proud that all my effort over the past two years had paid off. However, a sudden realization hit me – “Two years?! What a waste… They didn’t care about me, and the only reason I got that interview was because I fought for it, not because they kept their promise.”

That night, instead of working on designing an album cover, I wrote my two-week notice and began my journey towards a new chapter in my career.  Because of this experience I now call the agency, A Sleeping Giant Inc.

Monsée, 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?

From being a pencil illustrator to a digital graphic artist, and then transitioning to become a film director and photographer, my career journey has been diverse and exciting. I am a formally trained Creative Director with over a dozen years of experience in the field of Communication Arts & Design. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with fortune 50 companies, large tech firms, and high-profile musicians, giving me a deep understanding of how to blend various styles to enhance the branding, marketing, and advertising efforts of any business.

Leading our creative team to deliver successful product output that meets the client’s needs, resonates with the target audience, and aligns with the overall goals is an aspect of my work that I truly enjoy. There is a sense of fulfillment in receiving that call from a client who trusts us to bring their vision to life. It signifies that they believe in our creative vision to elevate their brand, and that level of trust is incredibly rewarding.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

My perspective on NFTs is that they are innovative and aligned with the future trajectory of life. Contrary to the complex image that has been painted of them, NFTs are essentially digital serial numbers assigned to non-tangible assets, akin to the printed serial number found on a physical item like a Louis Vuitton handbag. For instance, envision if Louis Vuitton were to issue digital serial numbers for their rare handbags, allowing owners to integrate them into virtual or augmented reality experiences. This could revolutionize gaming experiences, such as playing Fortnite or NBA 2K, where individuals could incorporate their personal collection rather than purchasing virtual items directly from the game itself.

NFTs represent the future of digital ownership, offering unique opportunities for creators and collectors. However, the initial introduction of NFTs may have been overshadowed by instances of overpricing and unsettling trends, such as exorbitant prices for digital jpeg artworks. Despite these initial challenges, I believe that NFTs have the potential to transform various industries and open up new avenues for creativity and ownership in the digital realm.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

My brother’s words offer valuable insights into life and success:

1. “The hardest thing to learn is to learn to let go.” Whether it be attachments, beliefs, or expectations, can be challenging. However, it is often necessary for personal growth and moving forward.

2. “It’s better to make a little of a lot than a lot of a little.” Focusing on quality over quantity can lead to more meaningful and impactful outcomes. It’s important to prioritize depth and substance in our pursuits rather than spreading ourselves too thin.

3. “You’re way more successful than you think. I’d trade places with you any day.” Sometimes, we underestimate our own achievements and capabilities. It’s crucial to take a step back and acknowledge our accomplishments, as self-reflection can provide a fresh perspective on our journey.

These words remind me to pause, appreciate my progress, and reflect on the beauty of the path I’ve are created. Ambition is essential, but it’s equally important to savor the present moment and recognize the beauty in the journey.

“I’m your imagination’s stunt double.” -Monsée

Contact Info:

• Website: www.asleepinggiant.com
• Instagram: @monseeworld
• Facebook: MonseeWorld
• Linkedin: MonseeWood
• Twitter: MonseeWorld
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@GreenChairPresents
• Other: My newest creation is a platform that gives back to musicians. It’s called ‘Green Chair Presents’.