We had the good fortune of connecting with Aundrea Collins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aundrea, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
The biggest inspiration for me today is finding the right balance of individuality and community. I’ve spent years trying to understand why I’m so different than a lot of people I come across, rather than honing in and loving on that “difference.” After finding the courage to grab some level of comfortability in being “weird,” I started to feel more energized to tackle some of the things I’ve always wanted to do. It’s almost like authenticity sparks a new level of creativity and confidence. I started to love more, create more, and connect with like-minded people more.

As this new confidence exuded from within, a lot of opportunities began to fall in my lap. But now that I was more in tune with who I am, I began to filter out those opportunities and people that didn’t really align with my new path.

With the absence of authenticity we tend to accept things that come our way that aren’t always in our best interest. Which leads me to my next point about how important building the right community is. Just as living authentically is important, so is community. With all great things there’s always a team behind it.

However, finding the right team or community will be difficult if you haven’t first found the right way to honor yourself and your individuality.

I am forever grateful for my team and look forward to pouring into more meaningful relationships that also fill me up.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

First and foremost, I must give the disclaimer that I’m the epitome of multifaceted. I don’t like to think that I work in a niche, my long-term goal is to become a serial entrepreneur. But currently, my focus lies in three areas:

Podcast Brand Manager and Cohost
I’m ½ of Pressher Podcast. A video and audio podcast helping women add and relieve pressure from real conversations. What does that mean? This show is for listeners interested in learning and unlearning habits that either help us thrive or keep us stuck. We’re always talking from experience, sources or alongside subject-matter experts to keep us honest.
I’m cohosting with my younger sister, Paige, and as much fun we have catching up behind the mic, the amount of work it takes to build a brand is a completely different effort than marketing a business with an already established brand. The best advice I can give to you from reflecting on the effort is to take all the shots, do it scared and do it “unprepared.”
I’m excited for the start of Season 3 and the many events we have in store. Tune in!

Marketing Entrepreneur
I’m opening a marketing operations agency called Masq Marketing that helps small business owners scale their marketing efforts with automation, strategy and virtual assistants. We’ll consult and help clients execute building converting websites, deploying email campaigns, lead generation strategies to access to virtual assistants. Take your business or brand to the next level with Masq Marketing.

Another project in the pipeline is my new digital department store, The Masq Brand. Creating unique pieces to reflect all of your moods. From fashion staples for your closet, beauty products and enhancers to kitchen essentials, The Masq Brand is for all parts of your lifestyle.
@TheMasqBrand launches January 2023 and @TheMasqMarketing accepting new clients 2023.

UGC Content Creator
Another monetized hobby is my new journey in content creation. My love for documenting little moments and transforming them into engaging stories pushed me to find ways to make my passion profitable. User generated content creation is the best lane for me, as I’m not too interested in becoming an influencer. This avenue of digital creator keeps the focus on the product or experience rather than who’s telling the story.
I’m pretty new at this so we’ll see where the success lies with this new venture. My goal is to secure 5 new brands by the end of the year.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a huge foodie, so for a trip to ever be satisfying the food must be on point. So of course we would run around the metroplex for all the best breakfast, brunch, dinner and dessert spots. In the mornings, I like to try to get some sort of movement either from a few games of tennis at Cole park, a hot ride at Cyclebar or a nice session of Pilates at Club Pilates.
My favorite brunch spot this month is Yolk, their portions are the perfect comfort food. But also I’ll have to show off all of the aesthetically pleasing restaurants for pictures like RH Rooftop and XOXO.
We would go shopping at North Park to find something sleek for dinner and drinks. For a vibe cuisine atmosphere, we would probably be going to Felix Culpa, Kai or Catbird. Therefore, we’ll get the lounge vibe without the lounge crowd.
Oh and what’s a girl’s weekend without a spa day? The Joule Spa is my go-to haven for relaxation. With any spa treatment you get unlimited access to the vitality heated pool, steam room with a giant amethyst shining inside and sauna.
And depending on the weather, of course I would have to visit Klyde Warren Park for a picnic with catered lunch from Hudson House.
Can’t forget a late-night visit to Sablon’s Dessert Bar. Even though I’m diary-free, I’m always looking for an excuse to indulge, plus their dramatic milkshakes are almost always worth it.
There’s so many places to venture in Dallas but to keep this story short, one thing with going on trips with me is… we’ll eat good, laugh and go home well-rested.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As an inspiring UGC creator, I would have to thank other creators that didn’t gatekeep their success. Having the will to get more creative in my spare time wouldn’t be a reality without them intentionally leading the way forward. That’s the beauty of digital communities, we’re able to share our gifts while simultaneously laying out the guide for others to follow in our footsteps. Lastly, but most importantly, I’m thankful for the women closest to me, my sister and cousin. Their wise words, sisterhood and mentorship has always validated the notion that the sky’s the limit.

Website: https://www.themasqbrand.com/ and https://www.pressherpodcast.com/

Instagram: @thatssodrea | @themasqbrand | @themasqmarketing | @pressherpodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepressherpodcast/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnQcZqbboHlu7OekmEfwi4w

Other: Pressher Podcast Apple Podcast Page: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1575643136

Image Credits
IG: @shotbymello

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.