By Voices…Jaymie Wisneski

In our newest installment of “By Voices,” we sat down with Jaymie Wisneski, By Association’s Executive Creative Producer. The New York native opened up about her creative beginnings, why striving for diversity means so much to her, and the power and pride she has in taking risks.

By Association: Where are you from?

Jaymie Wisneski: I was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and I grew up in a bedroom community of New York City. 

BA: When did you know that you were creative and did you feel supported to explore?

JW: When I was young, I had an extensive playtime routine with dolls. I was less into playing with the dolls than I was like dressing them and building makeshift-like homes for them out of whatever I could find. As far as playtime creativity, it was supported.

BA: And when you got older?

JW: I don't think my parents ever acknowledged creativity as being a viable career path. My dad really pressured me to study political science, which I didn't. Instead, I studied cultural anthropology. But I should have gone to art school. 

BA: How did you go from cultural anthropology to creative work?

JW: For two years of university, I was living in Japan, and there was a cultural magazine I loved, TOKION, which was published in Japanese and English and I wanted to write for them. So when I returned to New York, I ended up meeting the editor in chief at a bar downtown. I was like, "Are you kidding me? I just got back yesterday." All super serendipitous.

Since I had been planning on applying for an internship and realized who he was, I told him. And I got an internship and helped put together their creativity conference and all kinds of great things!

BY: How did you meet By Association's founder Harriet Cauthery? 

JW: I actually love this story. When I first moved to L.A. two and a half years ago, I was freelancing. Now, freelance was not a promising life for me because I knew I would end up napping and wasting the day. So I was exploring the possibility of going full-time somewhere, and at the time, the company was called Creative Blood. They were looking for a director of production, and I interviewed for that position, but I didn't really want it; I just wanted to meet Harriet and the people behind this company that did great work that I liked so much. I really got on with Harriet and we stayed in touch, then in February 2021, I got an email that they were looking for a creative producer. And I was like, "You know, I'm a free agent right now and would love to discuss with you." And so it just clicked. It was great!

BY: The company strives for more diversity in the industry. Why does this value matter to you?

JW: At the beginning of my career, it is such a white, straight or gay, male-dominated industry. But the common denominator was "white male." And I didn't really see a place for myself at the top, so to speak, until I started meeting people like myself, other women or people that didn't quite fit the traditional bill, like people that didn't come from Ivy League backgrounds or blue-chip companies. It's such a small percentage of the population that fits the cookie-cutter mold, most importantly, young women. And this is just from the female perspective, for young women to be able to see themselves in a role where they are a decision-maker and where their opinion and taste can make a difference is important. 

I joke (but it's not a joke) that I'm so happy that I haven't been on a set with a sexy female in the smallest panties possible being shot by a man. For a long time, that was my life and how I earned my living. And it didn't ever line up with any of my values or the way I saw myself or what I thought was appealing, beautiful, or relevant. 

BA: Walk me through your creative process.

JW: It's pretty simple. Honestly, it all starts with an intuitive spark. Like I have a dog, and when he hears a sound, he has a moment. That's what I do. I perk up. It's like an internal feeling of being into something and then going on a deep dive, finding everything out I can about it. That requires me to be endlessly curious: I will read anything, watch anything, entertain anything because I know inspiration comes from unexpected places.

BY: When it comes to the work that you've done here, what has made you the proudest?

JW: It's not actually a project, but a moment. I felt really discouraged at the beginning of the new business because no one responded after having sent hundreds of emails. So, I had the contact information for a woman that worked at Zara. And I would just write her this super happy email, all in Spanish because I was like, "Fuck it. She's probably not going to respond." But she responded and never in a million years expected her to do that! Then, we got the client, and I feel like that's been my favorite moment because it was so unexpected. It was such a big win and we took a risk.

BY: Any advice for folks who want to create an agency or start a business?

JW: Make sure you know how to cross your "T's" and dot your "I's." Also, it's not for the faint of heart. Finally, your network of connections has to be as strong as your work ethic.

BY: What do you think this industry needs more of and less of?

JW: That's a big question. The answer is content and content. But it's the types of content that are the answer. We need more content that allows us to dive into the lives of individuals that are real. Storytelling, narrative, fantasy, whatever and it needs more inclusive storytellers to come forward with their stories. That, and content needs less doubt and more risk in terms of what types of stories that we're willing to consume.

BY: Finally, where do you see yourself at 75?

JW: I want to live outside of the city, close to a body of water. Maybe with a couple of dogs and someone I love. I'd still like to be creating things, not sure to what capacity. But whether it's painting or pottery or photoshoots, I'd still be happy. I just know that my life will be always be surrounded by creativity. That, and I would like to be wearing a big, chunky sweater.