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

Hi Joyce, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Bonjour! I love taking risks.I see risks as opportunities- ones that either propel me or delay me from my inevitable goal. Not only are they exciting, but I’m so used to taking risks that it has developed into an extremely deep form of self trust. I guess you could say that I have a Kanye mentality, haha. There’s nothing that I can’t do! When I started my first digital marketing venture in November 2022, “Browbies” selling E-books, I invested in many risks, some causing me to lose income and followers, while others resulted in immediate success. The lesson I learned with my first E-commerce brand is that I can simply do it again as many times as I please, because I have complete control over my life, my discipline, and what I do with the lessons I learn from taking these said risks. Risks motivated me to start my second and current online business , “Prettygirlsluvanime”: my hand-painted cartoons on denim clothes, and pursue my Art Direction career. I am expected to graduate from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and minor in Sociology in December 2024. Taking risks has also led me to be able to attend THE 2024 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the South of France this June, through the UGA Study abroad program. I faced the risk of not being accepted into this competitive program & taking it was very well worth it! I’m sooo ecstatic. I’m not afraid of failure, nor am I afraid to be seen trying. Knowing that there is something even better for me even when something doesn’t work out in my favor is so comforting. I enjoy the beauty of knowing that there are endless possibilities that await exploration. As a creative, It is my job to take as many of these risks as possible so that I am able to create space for those who do not have the same courage, and hopefully motivate them to do the same!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love gaming, anime, and I love painting. Painting anime figures unto denim clothing has been a hobby that began developing in my senior year of high school for fun, and has lead me to establishing “Prettygirlsluvanime” in December of 2023. I’ve always been praised for my bold girly or streetwear fashion and shameless otaku personality. I wanted to glorify the rise in black women embracing alternative fashion, and create a community for women who were once shunned growing up as anime “weirdos”, “book-worms”, or any interests that made them into the pretty, unique girl that they are today. Advertising on the other hand, has been a passion of mine since I was a little girl growing up in Bethlehem,Georgia, laughing and reciting funny television commercials. I began experimenting with graphic design in high-school through applications such as Picsart. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of college when I began to practice and utilize Adobe creative cloud, taking Graphic Communication with Professor Sabrena Deal at the University of Georgia, and using free applications like flip-a-clip to practice animation. I began to take on extracurricular creative roles, which lead to my involvement within the Talking Dog Agency for two years. During my first year, I was working as an Art Director for the Appliance Gals in Atlanta, GA, where I conducted photoshoots and logo design. During my second year at Talking Dog Agency, I was appointed as Digital Media Specialist for the Health Plus Wellness Center in Marietta, GA, where I conducted Brandwatch and key performance indicator research with the help of Talking Dog Agency Manager: Mary Ellen Barto & and Social Media Analytics Professor: Dr. Itai Himelboim. During my free time, I began to organize photoshoot ideas with fellow Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication students, who were passionate about modeling and photography. When I create advertising for my business social media, my favorite brands, and projects for friends and my own pleasure, I feel more and more confident about my passion for creative direction in advertising. I’m the most proud of my personal shift in ignoring my fear of perception to start sharing my passions, and my strength to start demanding the recognition that my work deserves. My network of friends and mentors have been the most helpful in my academic and creative career, as they constantly motivate me to work intentionally. The desire to monetize my hobby has never been a strong interest of mine, so it wasn’t easy transitioning to another entrepreneurial perspective after my E-book business. I overcame all of my fears with a lot of creative self discipline. What sets me apart from others is that my work , both art direction and paintings stem from a passion that’s been brewing inside of me since I was a young girl. I want the world to know that my work is just the 13-year-old anime fan, painter, and boujee fashion icon inside of me having fun!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So my bestie is visiting dawg territory in Athens, GA…. know she’s going to eat good! Here’s the weekend plan: The morning she arrives, we’re immediately going to flying biscuit for brunch and mimosas, and catching each other up on our latest life lessons. After brunch, we’d hit up my favorite thrift store, America’s thrift to pick up some new pieces, shop, and compare our findings. After this, we’d head back to my place and get ready for the Georgia Football game at 7pm. After Georgia’s blowout win, we would go to Cloud Lounge that night to celebrate. The next day, we would cook breakfast together in the morning, and then have samosas at a Taste Of India for lunch that afternoon. Finally, we’d end the night at Showtime Bowling, playing Table Hockey at the arcade. The week would be full of us trying crafts, like coloring in the founders garden or making DIY t-shirts at Lake Herrick.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I want to shoutout my mom and my mentors. Growing up in a religious, African, (Congolese) household, it’s rare that African parents support your dreams that don’t equal doctor or lawyer. My mother, Pamela Nyota, always encourages me to do my best. She prays over me everyday & says she wants whatever makes her children happy, because she knows we’ll succeed in whatever we do. My mom has taught me selflessness, patience, and faith gracefully as she raised us alone for over a decade. I love you, mommy! I’d like to thank some of my mentors, starting with Sequoyah “DataBae “Glenn. (Marketing Strategist at 924 coOperative) Sequoyah has been extremely helpful guiding me towards growth in my career. Sequoyah is always enthusiastic to help me reach my potential. I can’t wait to see how our relationship grows in the future! Byron Wages (Creative Director at Dentsu Creative) I appreciate Byron so much. He was my first creative mentor, and I enjoy every minute I get to spend picking his brain. Byron introduced me to creative thinking in a way that I had never previously understood. He always keeps it real with me, and leaves me with guidance so impactful that I can’t wait to apply it immediately. Beth Kane (Director of client solutions at Nielson) Beth has been my mentor for almost a year now. She is the most compassionate and attentive mentor ever. She’s constantly offering me solutions to problems I bring no matter how big or small, and always congratulating me no matter how big or small I feel. I can’t imagine where I’d be without her. And close friend: Tyler Ashley (Talent Acquisition Specialist at Terex Corporation) Tyler and I are neighbors back home in Bethlehem, GA, and attended the same Elementary, Middle, Highschool, and University! Tyler has been a close friend and mentor for me since I was in 3rd grade, and she was in the 5th. Tyler would be gushing over Chris Brown’s new music on our bus rides home, and would then scowl at my A- in gym class on my report card. I looked up to her as she excelled academically, and she encouraged me and pushed me to do the same. Almost 10 years later, she was helping me apply to the University of Georgia, where I watched her walk the stage 2 years after my acceptance. My sister, words can’t describe how much you mean to me, and I can’t wait to continue watching you excel.

Deuteronomy 28:13

Website: https://prettygirlsluvanime.bigcartel.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kabuyajoy/?igsh=MTAwbmc0aHZjZGo5eQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycekabuya?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits
Edward Porter

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