Name: Arianna Mast
Location: NYC
Education: Pace University

How did you determine what you wanted to study in college/Grad school if applicable? (skip if not applicable!)

I’ve always been really interested in business from a young age, so I knew that was the direction I would go in. I took a marketing class in high school and was really fascinated by all different aspects like research, strategy, creativity, etc — and after that, it was really clear to me that this is something that excites me and I could definitely see my future self doing.

Walk us through your initial job search strategy and how you landed your first full-time role. 

I used the typical job board sites like LinkedIn or Indeed, and general Google searches for openings at marketing/advertising agencies.

How did you go from that first role to your current role—what was that journey like for you?

I started freelancing in college and during that time I was working with clients on graphic design and website development projects, I knew that was the type of work I wanted to continue to do full-time after graduation. Following my passion, I got a job as a graphic designer and worked on a variety of creative projects. Later on, I decided to leave my job and start my own company. I am now the CEO of Akross Media, a full-service graphic design and web development agency. In addition, I’ve recently launched Her Own Bizz, a community for female entrepreneurs to support, network, and collaborate with one another.

What advice do you have for young women who want to get into the media/marketing industry/profession?

My advice for young women who want to get into the media/marketing industry is to follow your passion. Maybe you know what your passion is or maybe you haven’t discovered that yet — either way is totally fine. If you’re unsure, ask yourself questions like: What do I enjoy doing? What are my hobbies? What are my favorite brands and why? There are SO many different avenues in the marketing/media landscape and they all play a huge role in every business.

How did you come up with the idea for Her Own Bizz?

Her Own Bizz is a community for female entrepreneurs who want to feel inspired, network, and collaborate. It’s really important to have a positive network around you on the good days and the hard days. Her Own Bizz is filled with motivational, relatable content and we’re all cheering for each other. I’ve connected with so many amazing women through the community. We’re like a bunch of friends hanging out while building businesses.

What are your goals for Her Own Bizz?

I have so much planned for Her Own Bizz.. so you’ll just have to stay tuned 🙂 Our website (herownbizz.com) is in the works and we will be focusing a lot on highlighting community members and their bizz, more ways to network, exclusive content, and a whole lot more.

What has been your biggest career “hurdle” and what did you learn from it?

As an entrepreneur, there are always hurdles and lessons to be learned. You have to wear so many hats, put in countless hours, and really push yourself. A good attitude really goes a long way, too.

Do you have a mentor? Who do you look to for inspiration and support?

I don’t have a mentor, but I turn to other business owners, family, friends, a bunch of online resources, plus all of the incredible women within the Her Own Bizz community.

What does collaboration over competition mean to you? 

To me, collaboration over competition means that there is plenty of success to go around for everyone. We are stronger together and should always be rooting for one another.

Final words of wisdom to all the young women out there who are strategizing to reach their education and career goals?

Follow your passion and try things. There is so much info online where you can learn something new or improve your skills. Don’t be too hard on yourself and focus on your own timeline.

If you are open to connecting with our readers, how can they reach you?

Yes, of course, see below for links:

Akross Media for graphic design and web development services:

Her Own Bizz for an incredible, supportive community of female entrepreneurs: 

My Instagram: