Anastasia Brown and Tracy Percival are the masterminds behind Visionary Media Group; an American media and technology company that utilizes music, media, and technology to tell unique stories. The VMG team has 100 years of experience combined, and some of their most successful pieces are 40 years of Rocky, Locating Silver Lake, and Stallone: Frank, That Is.
Brown has been in the entertainment industry for 27 years doing everything from film production to publishing. She credits musicians and storytellers for guiding her through every step of her journey. Many of Brown’s projects have received multiple award show nominations by the Oscar’s, Grammy’s, Emmy’s, and Dove’s.
Percival made her introduction into the beauty business at 22 years old by opening up Patty Lou, a wellness company and Luxe by Tracylee, an international beauty consulting company. Her success skyrocketed and she was soon working with companies like Revlon and Chanel Beauty. After developing key business skills she brought her expertise to VMG where she is an accredited mentor.
(Fempreneur) Describe your most recent business success and tell us about your next big goal. What’s up next?
AB: Joining Visionary Media Group is my most recent success; a goal of mine for 15 years has been to help create an all-embracing content creating, scoring, sync centric, media and music engine based in Nashville and this is it, then adding proprietary technology = 3D story telling with a music focus. I’m in heaven. TP: We have some exciting projects launching in 2021, that will truly change how content is created, viewed, and engaged with.
(Fempreneur) How would you define success?
AB: When you jump out of bed to go to work, see your friends and family and live life excited every day. TP: For me, success is defined as reaching your goals in life, and being happy during the journey.
(Fempreneur) Give us the ‘inside scoop’ – what does a day in your business life look like?
AB: Long days of hard and creative work; every day matters. TP: Working in the entertainment and music business, no two days are the same. My day typically starts around 7am responding to emails, I have many meetings throughout the day, calls with artists, work on projects, and most importantly keeping the company running smoothly, until 7pm.
(Fempreneur) If you were not doing this job, what is your plan B? Are you still chasing your dream job?
AB: I believe that if you have a plan B that will soon become your plan A. I also believe that every career has many curves, valleys and mountains. I look at those as God winks – those may be guiding you or challenging you. The difference between success and failure is persistence. TP: My career has evolved many times over the years, but I have somehow always lived in my dream job.
(Fempreneur) Do you think it’s important to love what you do, or make good money?
AB: If you love what you do, money will follow! However, I’m sure that’s been proven wrong with other people, just not me. TP: It is important to love what you do. Being passionate about your career, keeps you excited every day and keeps the energy moving to create something bigger
(Fempreneur) Is owning your own business as glamorous as it sounds?
AB: Absolutely not, it’s hard work, but worth every sleepless night. TP: It certainly has its glamourous moments when you hit a little success, but it’s hard work, physically and emotionally. It is not for everyone.
(Fempreneur) What inspired you to start your own business? What made you decide to take the leap?
AB: I’ve always been a risk taker and I need to be independent; it’s in my DNA. Truthfully, I couldn’t survive in a corporate setting to save my life. TP: I feel like I’ve always been entrepreneurial. I was a young, single mom and being able to provide for my son was my biggest inspiration.
(Fempreneur) Where did you get your education? Tell us about this experience.
AB: Growing up in Denver, CO I went to CSU with my friends after high school. Yet my passions were music and journalism. CSU had neither. My parents moved to FL, so I applied to University of Florida journalism school, which was #2 at the time. I got in, said goodbye to my best friends for over a decade and transferred to a college where I knew no one. It was the best thing I ever did; it’s where I learned my work ethic and so many skills that impacted my future career I didn’t expect.
TP: An unexpected life experience kept me from going to college, but it made me who I am today as a businesswoman. I am the eternal student and always learning through online classes, workshops, or reading books…. I do a lot of reading.
(Fempreneur) What was your first job after college/ university?
AB: My first job after graduating in 1989 was challenging. I had to take the job offer I could afford, not the one I wanted. I worked as a fashion coordinator for a high-end retail store, I hired the models, selected their clothes and most importantly, the music for every fashion show. I even moderated a fashion show with Tommy Hilfiger when I was 22. However, I was frustrated not getting closer to music or journalism. A year later, I moved to Nashville and met Miles Copeland and began a colorful and successful music career. Fast forward to 2005 I was working as a judge on Nashville Star with Kasey Musgraves, Chris Young, and Miranda Lambert. I didn’t need a stylist and I was able to speak honestly on live TV to 5 Million people. TP: I worked as a secretary for the security department of a bank.
(Fempreneur) What are your tips for setting yourself apart in the workplace?
AB: Be proactive and try to think for your boss or mentor so they do not have to. TP: Actions speak louder than words! Be proactive, do extra, keep a positive attitude, don’t gossip and understand your superior well enough that you can predict what they need before they ask for it.
(Fempreneur) How do you achieve work/ life balance? How do you unplug?
TP: In addition to my career as a COO, I am also an intuitive healer. I meditate and practice healing using crystals, aromatherapy, and reiki energy. AB: I love to unwind with my dog!
(Fempreneur) What are your plans for expansion?
AB: We will need to hire a varied group of self-motivated and experienced professionals in content creation and marketing content – be on the lookout. TP: We are working hard to create a next level content media engine. Patty Lou will be expanding into healing bath products for 2021.
Related: Find a PR job with Women in PR North America.
(Fempreneur) Where do you manufacture your products? How did you source the correct manufacturer?
TP: In addition to my COO career, I also own a wellness brand, Patty Lou, where I sell candles, energy clearing products, and crystals. I have a manufacturer in NJ that makes my candles for me. My candles have healing crystals in them, and she was the first person to offer quality, organic ingredients, the finest aromatherapy products and who understood my vision.
(Fempreneur) What is your favourite product or service for female entrepreneurs?
TP: I’m a Virgo and love anything that keeps me organized. I set goals yearly, quarterly, monthly, weekly and daily. I use The 90X Goal Planner to help keep me focused and on track. I also use the app Asana, to keep track of my daily tasks.
(Fempreneur) Can you offer any advice for new graduates looking for a job or new entrepreneurs?
TP: Be open minded when starting out. Where you are today, will not be where you will be tomorrow. Evolution is the fun part! The biggest thing that has contributed to our success, is gratitude. Being grateful for the biggest and littlest things, will keep the energy moving in the direction of success.
Visionary Media Group: visionarymediagroup.com