Name: Ava Coleman
Job Title and Description: Executive Assistant & Junior Manager at SB Projects
College Name/Major: University of Southern California, B.S. in Communications
Twitter Handle: @ava_flaaav
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
AC: My current position is two-fold as junior/day-to-day manager for Tori Kelly and executive assistant to SB Projects President, Allison Kaye. While those are my official titles, a great thing about our company is that we don’t let titles define us. While there are several things I can expect every day like calls, meetings and tons of emails – there is no such thing as a typical day.
What is the best part of your job?
AC: The best part of my job is being able to work with incredible people. I love music and pop culture, but working in a field that you love for fun can sometimes suck the fun right out of it. I’m lucky to work with people that make that utterly impossible. Also the snacks… The snacks are very good.
You started as an intern at SB Projects. How did you work your way up to where you are now?
AC: When I first started at SB Projects, there were only about six people working in our office. Some days were really busy and other days I was more or less left to my own devices. On those slower days, I would sit at my desk and come up with marketing and fan engagement ideas for the artists on our roster. I think that level of investment in our clients caught the attention of my bosses.
Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
AC: I’ve been lucky to work with incredible people since my very first internship as a senior in high school at the 9:30 Club in DC. I also have an incredible working mother who taught me so much before my career even started. Right before my senior year at USC, I was told I would become Allison’s executive assistant. Those shows of faith completely changed my career and I haven’t stopped learning since.
How did you come up with the idea for the Justin Bieber roast?
AC: I figured my friends didn’t want to see Justin sit down with an experienced journalist and talk about feelings. They wanted to see him take accountability for his actions in a way that would be amusing. I thought it was important to show that Justin was normal and hilarious as well as self-aware and apologetic. The James Franco roast was so popular and I thought what if we did that with a musician? It kind of went from there.
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
AC: In my opinion, the worst kind of mistake is the kind that you could have never foreseen. In the beginning, it’s unrealistic to think that you’ll get everything right on the first go. As I’m learning, growing and inevitably messing up, the most important thing I can learn is to never make the same mistake twice. That’s not always possible, but it’s always my goal.
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
AC: While there have been many great moments, the Comedy Central Roast is the obvious answer. From the moment the show was greenlit, I was given the opportunity to work on various aspects of it with my boss Allison. Walking into the room on the night of the taping was unbelievably surreal. It was an incredible feeling to see such a labor of love come to life.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
AC: Never stop asking for advice. Always work hard but don’t forget to have a life once you step out of the office. My friends will tell you I could really work on this, but it’s all about balance and not taking yourself too seriously.