The old one-dimensional female archetypes -- the soccer mom, the starving artist, the successful-but-lonely boss lady -- are dead. Women are creating new, multidimensional archetypes and defying stereotypes.
The most fulfilled women are constantly creating in multiple areas of their lives, whereas burnout often happens when we feel like the routine of our day job is all we have time for. The Archetypal Woman Series is a tribute to inspiring women who rearrange time and space to explore and excel in a range of activities. May their stories encourage you to expand into your own uniqueness for the benefit of you and everyone in your orbit.
Can you tell us a little bit about the work you do?
I am an advertising executive producer / development executive with a background in design. I’ve been acknowledged by peers for bringing my creativity and design eye to the production process: Taste is my talent! Relationships are my palette. I enjoy connecting creators with cool projects and helping creative teams achieve their vision.
Production is a delicate dance, and as a producer I stay on my toes, knowing what's important to clients and keeping the artists on track, on time, and on budget. I’m always mindful that a lot of trust is put in me, by clients and also by the people I represent. Good work today impacts my directors’ future careers, their families, their lives.
We are in a time of rapid change! What encouraging trends are you seeing in your industry?
The positive social and political movement towards more support of diverse BIPOC and women creators and talent is a hopeful trend. Clients/agencies are also hiring local Canadian directors, photographers and artists more often. They’re buying local!
What are some practical tools you use to help manage your time and energy?
My daily Kundalini yoga and meditation practice keeps me feeling vital. The breath-work allows me to keep a mindful, in-the-moment outlook on life and work. Helping me stay true to my own values, including designing my ideal week and finding rest at the end of it when I celebrate the Sabbath with my family.
My morning walk with Canela, our Mexican rescue pup, is one way I get happy and energized. Especially if we walk in the forest or down to the lake, but even watching the dogs play in a city dog park is enlivening. The dog also makes you get outside even when you might tend to go straight to your computer. Dog love is one of my best tools. To clear my mind as well.
This is the Archetypal Woman Series, where we shine a spotlight on women who are bringing forth new, multidimensional ways of living and working. How would you describe the archetype you’re bringing onto the planet?
I look at my heritage and am inspired by it and also by where my choices, family, work and leisure have put me. My family is mixed-race, interfaith, and I am a proud engaged mother. New traditions that look forward and back. I’m inspired by generations of women who came before me and those around me - Scottish, Jamaican, Jews, yoginis, sisters.
If I’m an archetype it’s that of a woman who embraces difference and change openly and mostly without fear. I’m urban but love my time in the country. I’m a daily yoga practitioner, but I love a glass of wine (ok sometimes more than one glass!) around the fire. I can put my nose to the grindstone when work needs doing, but you might also catch me skinny-dipping on the weekend with a certain fun and abandon. And I do find joy and pride in it all. So maybe I’m the archetypal lover of contrast, variety, diversity, and life.
Can you tell us about a woman who has had a significant impact on the trajectory of your career? What lessons did she impart?
My mom is the woman who’s had the biggest impact on my life, as well as my career. As a daughter of a single mother, I grew up on location shoots and in recording sessions. She taught me that work can be where you make your best friends. Following the path Bette Love Minott gracefully cleared has led me to rich experiences in Mexico, Spain, Africa and at home in Toronto. She is my warm, stylish, graceful inspiration!
What's next for you? Do you have any projects in the pipeline you'd like us to know about? How can we support you and your work?
I am looking forward to continuing to develop diverse young talent in the ad industry and helping to tell stories that matter. I’m in the process of creating an online community and incubating a dream. Stay tuned for the launch of something fun and exciting next year. Please connect with me on Instagram to stay in touch.
What message do you want to share with the world?
Peace. Love. Dream. And skinny dip any chance you get!
You can follow Andria on Instagram @andriaminott and learn more about her here.
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