Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Stone Thompson.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I launched a digital magazine in 2012, after spending my early career working in fashion and in various roles within premium and luxury retail. I wanted to explore digital media and innovation at the intersection of style and ran that magazine with a group of friends for several years. Eventually, folks started asking if I could create a lookbook for their brand or a brand identity for a new company based on the work they’d seen at the magazine; it essentially functioned as a public portfolio. I worked as a creative director then, and I still do, however I have become more interested in brand strategy over the years. During the pandemic, I took post-grad online classes with Pratt where I studied consumer insights, market research and marketing. I now apply those learnings as well as my experience with brands across a variety of industries and countries to develop strategy and positioning for clients as well.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh gosh, no it hasn’t!! The early years were a slow build; I wasn’t making great money, I was learning how to manage clients, people and projects as well as how to run a small business. There were a lot of mistakes made, a lot of fear around being able to sustain the business, and plenty of self-doubt and feelings of imposter syndrome. But I’d take these struggles any day as I genuinely love what I do. I hear people complain about their jobs and am so thankful to feel excited about my work despite struggles or stresses that arise.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Audience?
Audience is a brand consultancy + creative studio building brands at the intersection of culture, innovation and insights. I myself am a brand strategist, creative executive, and growth advisor working at the intersection of fashion, lifestyle, technology, and AI. I help companies build distinctive brands by aligning business strategy, brand positioning, product strategy, and creative execution.
Audience has built campaigns, established brand image and have developed go-to-market strategies for Outdoor Voices, Bumble, ThredUp, Halara, Eagle Creek and GigaOm. We craft brand, creative and innovation across all touch points, from digital to retail to product development. Our work spans two directions: helping fashion & lifestyle brands discover and deploy innovation & brand creative that inspires & serves their customers, and helping tech and AI companies build platforms that deliver value to the fashion industry.
We act as a translator between creative & brand thinking and technical & product realities and build from 0 to 1 for both pre-seed and high growth brands. Our work is modular by design; we embed across product, merchandising, operations, and tech teams, connecting the dots between departments and ensuring what gets built drives measurable business outcomes.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Don’t be shy! If you admire someone’s work, reach out, let them know and invite them to coffee. I’ve done this throughout my life, at times unintentionally, and have gained great mentors and friends along the way. The other key is reciprocation. Don’t just ask for support – offer it. Bring people onto projects and opportunities, and act as a resource.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.audience.us
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/audience.us
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/audience-us/
