Today we’d like to introduce you to Antoinette Ransom.
Antoinette, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey through life has been interesting. I’m originally from Kansas City, Missouri. I moved to Los Angeles in 2000 to pursue my dreams in acting/choreography. I have an undergraduate degree in Child Psychology. I was featured on a few soaps, did a couple of national commercials, and went on tour with a few musicians. In 2004, I decided to go back to school and pursue a BFA in Fashion Design/Fashion Marketing. During my 3rd year in school, I got a chance to be featured on the “Tyra Banks Show” for my unique talent in creating garments out of food. From there, I interned a few weeks under the stylists on set and started volunteering my time for IMG/Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in both LA and NY.
After I graduated the end of 2007/early 2008, I was doing a fashion shows every few months in nightclubs, private events, and collaborating with other fashion schools as a mentor. In 2009, I got tired of conforming to the norm when it came to fashion and thought what if I could create my own fashion shows and entertainment productions that would be unique and rare. Meaning, having a fashion show where there were other avant-garde designers like myself that created garments out of novelty materials. I partnered up with a few people from “Project Runway” and “Rupaul’s Drag Race” In addition, working with undiscovered unique designers/artists like: Zynada Aurelio, Jacqueline Banting, Annalynn Luu, Tanya Jenkins, Jorge Chavez, Caroline from Veteran Couture, and the list goes on. I created the multi-faceted production company, Exhibit Ambush in 2009. We worked hard putting on these creative fun events that provoked thought and gave back to numerous charities. Our production was like a “playground” for adults.
Next thing you know, everyone in SD started to copy our unique platform. In 2016, we had our last big event at the La Jolla Contemporary Art Museum and decided to all take a break and focus on ourselves for a while. At that point, I reinvented myself in a PR Guru/model/talk show host. Currently, I’m looking for an investor or sponsor for our talk show pilot and interviewing celebs at Red Carpet events in Los Angeles. My next big red carpet event coming up is BET Live, where I’m interviewing Mary J. Blige. In addition, my team and I have just partnered with Macy’s, Starbucks, IKEA, and a few other companies to be their brand ambassadors. If you check out my Instagram you could see me promoting their products. I’m constantly getting messages from random people through social media that would love to see me hit it hard with Exhibit Ambush again. I will but it will be when the right investor comes along and trust me it will be epic when I do.
Great, 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?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road, it’s been a learning experience. If I could do anything and help others from my experience… I would write a book on, “What not to do when planning a huge event production.” LOL. Yes, there are programs in colleges now that prepare you for event production, but there’s still nothing like hands-on experience. I didn’t take a class. I had to learn the hard way through trial and error. Plus, most people don’t know I was the first African American woman in San Diego to become a pit boss at a casino. I was working at the casino while simultaneously getting Exhibit Ambush off the ground. That was challenging because I was only sleeping 3-4 hours a day, and truth be told that hasn’t changed. I guess the biggest piece of advice I would give any young woman is this: “Follow your passion because the money always follows later. Never settle for working a job you don’t like or not passionate about, because at the end of the day your just an option, not an asset.”
What should we know about Exhibit Ambush Production/Let’s Chat Talk Show pilot? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
People always say I should have my own reality show because I’m so diverse and I do multiple things to make money. By day, I’m an insurance/investment broker. I assist people in making sure they won’t be broke when they retire or helping them building their kid’s college fund, or simply helping people with investment life insurance policies. Again, I love doing this because I help people. This, of course, is using the left side of my brain.
My passion is: Fashion, Marketing, PR, and mentoring young talent. So, every facet of my life is helping people or assisting talented people with the right connections to get on the right path to stardom and exposure.
I’m most proud of being a mentor and a mother of two beautiful boys (one of which is the face of GUESS) 😉
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
Wow… well, first my mother and Aunt Junekay we’re big inspirations to me. Most people would say, “Well, your mom is sweet but she struggled with drinking for so many years why your mom? I say this, “If it wasn’t for my mom I wouldn’t be here. Second, she has taught me what it means to be strong and work through adversity regardless of where you come from.” My mom has been sober for three years now, and knock on wood, I hope she stays that way. My Aunt Junekay she was my second mom when I needed someone there. She was the only woman I have met that would be dressed head to toe just to go to the grocery store. She taught me that appearance is everything regardless of your socioeconomic status.
Two other women that inspire me are Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama. I look at these courageous-educated women and I think, “if they can do it I can do it too!” I’m not the type to make excuses or blame it on my skin color why I wouldn’t get certain things (the race card I don’t like), and I avoid negative people. I feel like if there is something out there and you really want it, you have to work for it and stay focused.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ambushevents.com
- Email: theambushevent@gmail.com
- Instagram: Antoinette_Love_Ransom
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/antoinetteloveransom
- Other: www.antoinetteloveransom.com
Image Credit:
For the desert image of me in the yellow dress: Photographer: Navid Nader/Stylist: Teresa Doctor
Image of my on the floor in the black dress: Photographer: Jen Z/Stylist-MUA: GlamSquad (Chastity Cordova), Image of me in the pink dress: Photographer: Jen Z/MUA: Rachel Gallenberger, First pic of me sitting on the couch: Photographer: Jen and Shane Photography/Kindred Bravely
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