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Meet Jess McAlister of McAlister + Co in Santa Monica

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jess McAlister.

Jess, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Moved to Los Angeles from San Diego fresh out of college, not knowing what I wanted to do and could count my LA network on one hand, but had a handful of experience in talent wrangling, PR & Marketing and event activations. With that, I grew in multiple agencies throughout my 9 years doing everything I could get my hands on to grow in the brand, charity, and entertainment space. In turn, I ended up leading multiple talent divisions, doing brand partnerships pro bono on the side for talent, brands and charities to rack up experience and contacts, and hustled in all other moments of spare time I had. With that, came the birth of my company, McAlister + co, in 2016. Because of my experience and contacts, this business platform created endless opportunities as to how I could shape my company and who/what I wanted to be known for. After 2 years of navigation as a “solopreneur” giving everything I got to this one project, I now have a fast-growing talent and brand management agency representing both talents, influencers and brands.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not at all. And I feel like those that look like they had a smooth road, were also most certainly struggling with their own issues privately. It’s never easy taking the plunge and betting everything you got on yourself. People should do it more! It’s always hard to break up with a job or growing career and the people in it, and explaining to your friends and family why it will be worth it. On top of that, you have the time and money investment. You think it will go as planned but the universe will surely send you some roadblocks and as a one-man show, you need to figure out how to navigate that without losing steam. I think some of the biggest issues entrepreneurs of all types face the I’m not good enough feelings, you’re constantly chasing something, it’s like having a baby that needs tending too 24/7 until it can start to ride by itself. Also, being told no is something you most definitely get used to. I saw this quote the other day, “I eat the word ‘no’ for breakfast” and that couldn’t be more accurate.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about McAlister + Co – what should we know?
McAlister + Co is a talent and brand management agency that services both its talent clients as well as brand clients. In our brand division, we work with fashion to lifestyle brands to agencies to advise on influencer and celebrity marketing strategies, influencer and celebrity outreach and seeding, and celebrity and influencer campaign procurement. In our talent division, we represent a very diverse, wide group of very talented influencers and personalities from TV personalities, YouTubers, industry leaders, athletes, fashion and more. Specifically for our talent, McAlister + Co tends to play a hybrid role of manager, agent, publicist, depending on the need as they look to develop their personal brands. I myself, as well as my company, is known for bridging the gap of opportunities between brands and talent- no matter what side it’s coming from. I would say what sets us apart from others is having 9+ years under our belt in this niche space, which for most people today is dubbed a “hard to navigate wild West”. I think to that note, that’s also something I’m most proud of- having that experience of having to figure it out early on, stay on top of the digital, marketing and consumer driven trends, and having the opportunity to work with some pretty incredible people.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I would say that I’ve had many people influence me and have played a small part in helping me get to where I am today. Too many to name! I’ve had incredible leadership at most of my past agencies and it helps to surround yourself with a group of ambitions, badass friends that are too, disrupting their industries.

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