Meet Vannesia Darby

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vannesia Darby.

Hi Vannesia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I got my start in the entertainment industry through music. A classically trained pianist, I decided I wanted to be in the music industry after I saw one of my high school friends produce a song on Garageband in our music technology class. Back then, “Digital Marketing” was coined as “New Media,” and (like the name entails), it was still relatively new. Even though I helped my friends code their MySpace pages and made my own ringtones on my home computer, it never dawned on me to start a career in digital marketing.

While in college, I interned for an independent production company and then took an internship at the global record company, EMI. After graduation, I became a marketing assistant before returning back to the same label I once interned for, now under Universal Music Group. I worked in digital marketing and managed the internship program before pivoting and starting my own creative consulting agency, MOXIE Nashville. My team and I handle social campaigns for entertainment industry clientele, SAAS companies, retail brands and music artists. I oversaw all operations and client work full time, and re-entered the corporate world as a Social Media Manager for Shondaland one month shy of our 6-year anniversary.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I always say that God blessed my naïveté when I first got into the industry. I was hungry to work in a field that I loved and counted the struggles as par for the course. I was always eager to pick up extra work and developed a variety of skills within digital marketing.

My hunger, coupled with a lack of self-care, got the best of me when I was diagnosed with an autoimmune issue. Although not debilitating, it forced me to slow down and become selective with my work. I had to evaluate what services we offered, our ideal client, and more. As entrepreneurs and high performers, we don’t always discuss the physical toll that ambition can have on the body – especially when you work in fast-pace industries.

My diagnosis forced me to prioritize my health and I now move a lot more strategically than the ambitious 19 years old intern. Although I am gifted to do many things, I no longer attempt to do it all and hire people with keen specialties to spread the workload or recommend another company for clients to work with. The shift has been incredible and my team and I are a lot more balanced these days.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in digital marketing, but at the core, I develop people, businesses and brands to their highest potential. That’s what I am the most proud of.

Due to my business and work experience, many people know me for digital marketing and this Spring will mark a decade in the entertainment industry. However, I have played piano for over 20 years and was a kitchen beautician in middle and high school. I worked as an adjunct professor at an HBCU and have served on numerous boards. I’m also the daughter of a probation officer and a combat veteran / preacher and the sister of a Psychologist.

What sets me apart in my work is my ability to have a diverse world view and a variety of experiences when it comes to brand development. I truly believe that anyone can paint whatever picture about their life they desire. It just so happens that social media is the canvas I use to paint mine.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the energy in Los Angeles! Everyone is ready to make their dreams come true. However, I do not like LA traffic.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @vannesiadarby
• Twitter: @vannesiadarby
• Facebook Page: Vannesia Darby
• LinkedIn: Vannesia Darby
• Website: vannesiadarby.com
• Website: https://moxienashville.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moxienashville
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moxienashville
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3QQ5ZmEIvJw7AtfxEtVCoA

Image Credits
All Photography: Danielle Shields Photography (@dspgram)