WOMEN ARE MAGIC - Thank you! & a surprise.
After 31 incredible days, I’m feeling beyond inspired by the 31 women who were featured in the Women Are Magic series to celebrate Women’s History Month. Each woman featured is such a force with her own unique set of super powers and experiences.
I first of all want to say THANK YOU to everyone who engaged in this series! Every repost, comment, share out, shout out, message and relink meant the world. The whole goal of this series was to create the space for women to share their stories and unique perspectives while also encouraging the community to uplift and support them in the process. It has been so incredible to see the connections that have been made as a result of this series and to see women rooting each other on every single day and “checking back” daily for the new feature. If there is one thing you can takeaway from this series, I hope Women are Magic encourages you to support, empower and create the space for the women in your life.
I also could not have pulled off this series without the help of Hailey, the talented illustrator who created custom self portraits of each female involved in the series. Hailey truly brought this series to life and made it feel even more polished and real. Not to mention, she surprised me with my very own self-portrait! When I wrapped this series and received this illustration from Hailey, I was so touched to be thought of.
And now…I want to mention that in no way, shape, or form did I ever plan on participating in the series — however, after receiving messages throughout the month of March from other women who were featured in the series or engaged with the series, they encouraged me to fill out and share my own Q&A. I’ll be honest, at first I said, “no!” because I knew I’d be be overthinking what to say and how to say it. I’d start and stop typing out my responses in a Word Doc. One evening, my finished Word Doc got deleted and I felt like it was a sign. But I was encouraged one last time by a participant in the series to “DO IT!” (thank you for that extra confidence boost! You know who you are!) I decided to type and not overthink it, no more start and stop, just go and “publish.” So here we are…candid, free, and me. I wouldn’t have felt brave enough to hit publish if it wasn’t for the 31 women before me — thank you for trusting me with your stories and allowing me to create a space to share them.
This goes out to all of you.
Allison Wagner
You can connect with me here!
Instagram | Curio Northwest | Portfolio | Blog (you’re already here!)
1. Tell me a little bit about you, who is Allison outside of work?
I’m an extroverted introvert – I get my energy being around people but I also need my “me time” to recharge. I’m a classic Type 3, Wing 2. I have a deep love for creative side hustles and in my spare time you can often find me scheming up a new one. I love to travel and can’t wait to do more of that soon. I’m an avid and vocal supporter of mental health awareness and empowering women – I hope to do more projects like this series in the future to celebrate the women I’m lucky enough to know and support.
2. What do you do for work?
I’ve been an Art Director at Amazon for the last four years. During the pandemic, I launched my side business Curio Northwest, an online, curated vintage décor shop. I have found such joy in having a business that is 100% mine to own, run and grow. I’ve also been running my blog West Coast Aesthetic for the last eight years.
3. As a female, what are some of the biggest obstacles you have faced within your industry / the workplace?
Blatant sexism and ageism in the workplace. I’ve found this to be a toxic characteristic within the advertising industry. Yes, it gives you thicker skin, but no, it does not get easier each time you face it. In fact, the most disgruntling part when this happens is that often times the people engaging in this behavior are often reinforced, so the cycle continues. In recent years, I’ve become comfortable using my voice to drive change while also bearing in mind it’s a powerful asset to advocate for and empower other women in the process.
4. What women in your life inspire you and why?
You would be reading this for well over a year if I listed every woman that has had an impact on me, but I’ll start with my family – my mom, my grandmas, my aunts, my cousins and my chosen family – my best friends, my colleagues, my creative soul sisters. I feel thankful to have been raised by, supported by and impacted by such forces.
5. What advice would you give to women who want to pursue a new life direction -- whether that be moving to a new city, pursuing a new career path, starting a side hustle or choosing a new major in school?
Remember how brave you are. Change does not come naturally to a lot of us, so leaning into any form of it is worth celebrating. And if it doesn’t go as you planned, save that as a chapter for your memoir.
6. How do you balance a job, personal life and passions? Is there such a thing as balance?
By saying no. I’m a natural people pleaser who suffers from FOMO - this can be a pretty toxic combination for my mental and physical bandwidth because I tap myself out often when trying to do all of the things, all of the time. It took up until a global pandemic to reduce my busyness and for me to rediscover my purpose outside of work, creative projects and passions. It’s taken quite a bit of self-discovery to learn that a lot of my yeses did not bring me joy.
There is so much power and self-control in saying no to the things you do not have the capacity for. It does not make you lesser than. It makes you show up to the things that matter to you most, at your utmost potential.
7. What are some ways you implement self-care?
Weekly therapy sessions. As someone who battles pretty severe anxiety and depression, I need that designated time and safe space every week to check in on myself to keep my mind right. So often we focus on our physical wellbeing that our mental health goes on the backburner. It took me years to search and find my current therapist but it was well worth the wait (so if you are looking, please try not to feel discouraged!) I’ve been seeing my therapist for two years now and it is truly the best investment with my time and money I’ve ever made.
8. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders, movers and shakers?
-Saying what you need is different than asking for what you want. Don’t get it twisted.
-Stop starting and finishing sentences with “sorry” – do not apologize for taking up space.
-There is room for all of us. We want you here and we cannot wait to see what you’ll do and who you’ll continue to become!
9. What advice would you give to women trying to break into a male-dominated field or an industry where there aren’t as many female leaders?
Try with all of your might to lean into the discomfort of being “the first” or the few, but remember, you are not the last. With every woman entering a male-dominated industry, you are paving the way for other women. With every push, shove and move we make to find our voice and seat at the table while not apologizing during the process, the glass ceiling begins to crumble.
10. How can women advocate for each other?
By saying her name – in rooms she is not in, when she’s a fit for a job in your workplace and when she achieved a milestone (big and small). We need to continue to fill more of our sentences, workplaces and communities with the females we know, love and respect.
11. What is your power color and why?
Yellow, forever.
12. What is your female anthem – the song that hypes you up and makes you feel like a girl boss and that you can take on anything in the world?
Lately, it’s Superbloom by Misterwives.
Resilient little thing, just like mama raised you
You got that wildfire in your soul
Don't you ever let it go
Make it burn so bright that they all know
These lyrics get me every time.
Portrait illustrations are by Hailey Coral.
