Today we’d like to introduce you to Alison Belilty.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I moved to New York about ten years ago to attend The Fashion Institute of Technology. While studying, I held internships at fashion houses and agencies like Nanette Lepore, Rebecca Minkoff, Topshop, Starworks Group, and more, dipping my toes in everything from PR & marketing to styling & design.
I launched my career working for the creative consultancy SWW Creative, where I managed client projects and agency initiatives, merging the worlds of fashion, beauty, art, sports, and global diplomacy. We built strategic partnerships and experiences for brands and organizations like Hermès, Nascar, and the United Nations. It was a really exciting time as many industries were shifting the way in which they were executing their marketing strategies.
From there, I dived into editorial production and community experiences at Doré, where I supported the editorial team on weekly content, the Creative Director & Founder, Garance Doré, on sponsored influencer projects, and produced the relaunch of their community experiences including, Doré’s Women’s March on DC and their inaugural retreat in Marrakech. At Doré, I discovered my passion for community and the power of experiences.
At this time fashion and wellness were merging in more ways than one. That’s when I completely switched industries, landing at the media company, Well+Good. At Well+Good, I established the editorial experiences department, which included the inception of Well+Good TALKS, giving attendees a front-row seat to wellness industry insiders, entrepreneurs, and celebrities, as well as the brand’s retreat series, Well+Good Retreats. Launching a department really gave me the idea (and confidence) to branch off on my own.
Today, I currently live in Miami and am the Founder & CEO of the brand marketing agency, YEAR-ROUND.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not always been smooth. Like anything, I’ve had my ups and downs along the way. The industry I chose to be part of required a lot of time, energy, and dedication to “pay your dues”. In turn, I burned out. I had a battle with balance and boundaries due to the constant hustle, especially living in New York.
With every tough experience came a lesson, for which I am grateful. It’s true what they say – you get what you work for, not what you wish for. I couldn’t be happier with where I’ve navigated myself so far, but I know the journey is a long one and I can’t wait to see how I grow and what I learn along the way.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the YEAR-ROUND story. Tell us more about the business.
YEAR-ROUND is a brand marketing agency driven by cultural experiences. We work with mission-driven brands in a variety of industries and always take an in-house approach. We are continuously creating innovative strategies that are relevant to the ethos of our clients. We aim to create intentional buzz and moments that will live beyond just an experience, a launch, or a campaign.
YEAR-ROUND is built on the hard work of our Collaborative. Our goal is to create something bigger than ourselves.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Purpose. My past roles all had a tremendous impact on where I stand today. I always felt like I had an entrepreneurial footprint in every single one of my jobs. I carried a lot of responsibility and held various leadership roles, which had led me to start my own business. By treating every job as a Founder, I not only learned what I needed to gain the confidence to branch off on my own, but it also gave me purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.year-round.co
- Email: alison@year-round.co
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareyearround
Image Credit:
Elena Mudd & Lindsey Fondo
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