We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Moriah Girley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Moriah below.
Hi Moriah, really appreciate you joining us to talk about a relevant, albeit unfortunate topic – layoffs and getting fired. Can you talk to us about your experience and how you overcame being let go?
When I got laid off in November 2022, I felt like my world was spinning. I had invested so much time, effort, and energy into my role that I was shocked when it happened, especially since I had explicitly asked if my role was in jeopardy and I was told multiple times that I was safe.
The first few weeks were tough, especially since I had been asked to speak at a few events I would now miss. It felt like the most embarrassing and devastating thing I had ever experienced. I had created my identity and relevance around this role and felt lost when I was no longer that person.
I overcame it by understanding the unfortunate truth I had to face eventually.
No job was ever going to be my end all be all. I had to work hard to create my identity as myself without feeling like a role was going to do that for me. I started working out and building my confidence. I prioritized my mental health by signing up for therapy and working hard to heal from the trauma it caused. I took time to develop skills and throw myself into a new hobby. I didn’t rush, and I took my time.
Over time, I realized that things were happening for me, not to me. I realized any job that could not appreciate what I offered and would treat me so poorly was not a job I needed. I deserved a place where if things needed to end, it wouldn’t feel like a gut punch.
Layoffs happen, but the way they are handled is equally essential. Tons of people have made TikToks and Reels showing how they were let go and the trauma that comes with it, and I think it’s high time we started looking into how this affects a person’s mental health. It’s less about the company’s needs and more about the humanity we show others.
I will never let a role or career title dictate who I am or how I show up for myself again.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we further our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I was born in Orlando, Florida, and we moved around a lot since I was a little kid. By the time I was 7, we had moved from Florida to Seattle, Washington.
While there, I attended an art-focused magnet school but loved spending time in Chinatown and downtown. That is where I first fell in love with Anime, Marketing & Advertising, and Fashion. I would go to FAO-Schwartz, get a small bag of candy, walk around the city, and look at the Pig Art and the vast billboards around Downtown. I could watch the women wearing the Fall RTW and dream about a life as a powerful executive. I loved video games and anime so I would go to Chinatown, the markets, and bookstores and hang out with a friend or solo. I had a cultural awakening in Seattle and always regarded that time as a turning point.
After a few years, we moved back to the South, and I went to live with my Dad in North Carolina. My mother was dealing with health issues, so living with my Dad was a huge culture shock. I had transitioned from a bustling city to the outskirts of rural North Carolina. That summer, I helped my Dad grow a garden and started transitioning to life “off the grid.” At first, I was sad because I loved Seattle, but I started realizing that life in the South came with its share of new experiences.
I immediately jumped into anything creative I could in school, and when I got to my sophomore year in high school, I became the Yearbook Editor. I was issued a camera and allowed to take pictures, attend events, and learn more about student life. It was an excellent opportunity that set me on my collegiate career path. I loved reading and student government and was the Vice President of Student Government in my senior year. My high school art teacher, Mrs. Palmentari, made a particular elective for me to take photos during our art block. She was the first person who leaned into my love for art and encouraged me to chase that calling.
For college, I moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. I was in clubs like the Black Student Union and was a charter member of the UNC-Charlotte Chapter of the National Black MBA Association. I started studying Marketing and Communications while double majoring in Art. For a semester, I studied theater and went on to play in and then direct The Vagina Monologues.
In school, I changed my major and tried to make sense of what I wanted to do long term. After transferring from UNCC to Johnson & Wales, I realized I just wanted to work and get out there, so I landed an internship at Nordstrom, where I studied Retail Management. After the internship, I was scouted by a talent recruiter to join the team at Neiman Marcus.
At Neiman’s, I got my first real taste of luxury fashion. Although I was working on a team, I started learning how to manage A-list clientele and worked with a briage of celebrities and their stylists. It catapulted my career, and I was frequently in the Top Ten Sellers. I could afford a life I had only dreamed about. I worked with Apple to help Neiman Marcus create a “Book A Stylist” feature on their mobile app and won Tech Ambassador of the Year. Most of my clients were awarded “Best Dressed,” so I started thinking about branching out and creating my own Stylist Agency.
The following year, I found out I was pregnant with my daughter and took some time away from the work scene to be a Mom. I was overjoyed but scared of how this would affect my career. People told me I wouldn’t be able to hit the same milestones, but even while pregnant, I smashed through their expectations. After my daughter was born, I left Neiman Marcus to pursue entrepreneurship as an independent stylist.
One of my styling clients invited me to a show at The Fillmore, a Live Nation Venue in Charlotte, to see 2 Chainz. We went to the show, and I loved the live music as we had VIP Seats. I was introduced to the manager and was told they had an opening for a VIP Supervisor. I applied and started working as the VIP Supervisor. I helped book shows, worked with the marketing teams, and learned about everything that went into production, stage design and the VIP experience.
The hours were challenging with a small child, and I had recently become a single mom, so I applied to a marketing agency in Uptown Charlotte with more traditional hours. I immediately succeeded and was quickly promoted to Senior Account Executive in under two years. I had a rolling list of clients and had helped them secure some partnerships, so I felt that life was taking a turn.
However, I slowly realized that these roles had the same issues. I was getting less than I deserved, and upward mobility always seemed challenging. I became aware that in almost every role I had since college, I was the only person in these positions who looked like me. The weight of racial discrimination and bias started to take its toll. I would see people who didn’t look like me get positions in the company for which I knew I was better qualified, but I was always told to “wait and be patient.” I was tired of waiting and knew it was time to take my talents elsewhere.
I started a creative consulting agency called Cultured Collective and worked with small business owners, models, artists, start-ups, and speakers. It allowed me to move to Los Angeles, California.
There, I pursued corporate roles in tech and landed opportunities with clean energy companies and tech unicorns. I was always told I was incredible at what I was doing, and even though it felt fulfilling upward mobility remained a challenge. After I got let out of the tech position, I wondered what life had for me next.
I had been working in Corporate America since I was 19, and as I settled into my 30s with a school-age child, I knew life had more in store for me. I missed being able to travel and spend time with my family, and I had been in a new relationship for a few years, so I took a leap of faith and started creating digital art and being a content curator. I have maintained huge marketing campaigns for influencers and companies so I feel like now is the best time to give it a shot for myself.
Since December 2022, I have started creating digital art pieces and digital collectibles. I had spent a few semesters as an Art Major when I was in college, so art was something I naturally enjoyed. I started creating pieces based on things I liked, like space, nature, and scenery. I enjoy creating digital pieces and recently sold out a whole collection in 24 hours! I started realizing that art was my calling, and now I am a full-time digital artist.
I am currently working on releasing a home decor collection called “Dwelling,” which will be available this Summer and feature mug cups, digital TV art, posters, blankets, and other merchandise.
Being an artist comes with challenges, but I am overjoyed at the opportunities it gives me and the time I can spend with my family.
I started creating content again and have started partnering with brands and companies to make organic content. I enjoy creating Reels & TikToks and being in front of the camera instead of behind it has come with a slew of challenges. I always try to hype myself up because it can be very nerve-wracking putting yourself out like that, but honestly, I enjoy it too much to care. I hope to be an “anti-influencer” who centers her brand on the authentic lifestyle of being a mom, entrepreneur, and nerd. I have worked in the industry a long time so I feel this is a great way to connect with new people.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I feel that the three qualities that had the greatest impact on my journey were confidence, faith, and transparency.
These qualities helped me grow. Having confidence gave me opportunities to jump out and try new things.
Having faith gave me the ability to have spiritual peace and not look for the answer in every scenario.
Transparency helped me look at situations as they were and not just how I would want them to be.
This overall gave my life more direction and helped me stay positive and in situations that served me and my family.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
The number one challenge I face presently is imposter syndrome. In the world of art and content curation, some artists and influencers are ten times bigger than me, with more significant followings and sales, and sometimes, that makes me feel inadequate.
But my collectors are my biggest fans, and I have to remind myself to focus on what makes me happy, which will, by extension, make them happy.
I won 1st place in a global art contest against artists with bigger followings and massive sales.
It reminded me that I am not inadequate; I am right where I am supposed to be.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moriahgirley/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moriahgirley/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/moriahgirley
