We were lucky to catch up with Tyrone Russell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tyrone, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
What’s helped me to be more effective has been shifting my focus from the isolation of being “the only one” to the opportunity it represents. My approach is based on two principles: always assuming best intent and recognizing my being there is an invitation for others. I’ve watched that play out through my journey as a hot yoga instructor, where I witnessed the tangible impact of being the only one in the room, and I carry that with me in my current career in marketing.
In practice, this means recognizing that we’re all out here doing the best we can, and most people just want to connect and be friendly. So, I give people a lot of grace. If someone says something that might hit me a little “funny,” I take a breath and feel into what I think their intent is. Generally, I think they’re aiming for connection. I also feel like my being in the room becomes an invitation for others like me to be there, too. When I think about representation, I define it as more than just showing what we’re able to do; it’s demonstrating where it’s safe to be.
This philosophy was forged in the heat of a yoga studio. In the early 2000s, I fell in love with hot yoga and became an instructor. I did not fit the aesthetic of who we often think of as a yoga instructor: I was already in my 30s, nowhere near skinny, 6’4″, Black, and stiff as a board. But I loved the practice, and despite not fitting the mold, I taught in dozens of studios.
It was while teaching at one particular studio for a couple of years that the real world impact of my presence became clear. The owner pulled me aside and shared an observation: the longer I taught there, the student population had gotten older, bigger, and more diverse. That’s when I truly understood the profound meaning of representation, it’s a signal to those who aren’t in the room yet that it’s safe to enter when they see someone like them already thriving there.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Last year, I launched Ellipses & Ampersand with my friend and creative partner, Priscilla. We call it Strategic Digital Storytelling, but really, it’s our way of supporting heart-led businesses and organizations by helping them uncover the story they’ve been trying to tell and giving them the tools to tell it well.
I’m a filmmaker by training and a storyteller by instinct. I spent nearly a decade in New Zealand working in film and television. I directed short films, helped shape documentaries, and partnered with another creative as a duo grounded in a shared mission: to celebrate communities and the overlooked.
When I moved back to the States to care for my aging parents, I knew I wanted to build something that combined my creative instincts, cinematic lens, and strategic thinking. I also wanted that work to be filled with joy. That’s what I want to put out into the world.
These days, I’m especially excited about expanding our work with nonprofits and values-driven founders. We’re growing E&A into a high-touch, story-first studio where every project feels personal.
Because it is.
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?
When I look back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been self-reflection, invitation over obligation, and learning to say no.
Self-reflection has been foundational for me. It creates a bit of space between myself and the results or the feedback I receive. Instead of feeling personally defined by every outcome, I’m able to observe the process, see what’s working, what’s not, and where I want to grow. That kind of perspective has helped me make clearer decisions and stay grounded through a lot of transition and risk.
Second, I really believe in invitation over obligation. Collaboration only works for me when people want to be there. I’m not interested in forcing anyone into a role or a project. I try to lay out the opportunity and let people decide how they want to engage. That kind of open, choice-driven energy makes everything more alive, and more sustainable.
And finally, learning to say no has been huge and personally, the hardest earned. For a long time, I felt guilty about turning things down. But I’ve realized that saying no to something misaligned is actually saying yes to what is. It’s a kind of self-trust. Not every opportunity is meant for me, and that’s okay. Plus it feeds back into Invitation vs Obligation, I show up at my best when I want to be there by choice.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
The ideal client for me is a values-driven founder or nonprofit leader who is clear on what they believe but unsure how to say it in a way that lands. They’ve done the inner work and are now ready for their outer voice to match.
They care deeply about their work, but they’re either too close to it to see the whole picture or they’ve outgrown the story they started with. They’re not looking for a quick rebrand or trendy content. They’re looking for a partner who can help them unearth the story that’s already there, clarify their message, and build a container that feels both strategic and soulful.
They’re collaborative, open to creative tension, and not afraid of honest reflection. They know the power of story, and they want to wield it well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ellipsesandampersand.com
- Instagram: @tyronewherever
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tyrone-russell
