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Alison, Founder and Program Director at Treats.: Advize Career Interview

Alison Griffin's dynamic career journey, from television production to founding Treats, a collective tackling burnout, offers invaluable lessons for aspiring professionals.

A film school background and experience at Sony led to a pivot into unscripted television and agency work, culminating in the creation of Treats.

The initiative's mission, built on accessible wellness and community, is reflected in Alison's daily routine, which prioritizes self-care, research, and collaborative in-person meetings.

Adaptability, honed in fast-paced production environments, is key to navigating their roles as Founder and Program Director, alongside a strong vision and commitment to a unique offering.

While the entrepreneurial path presented challenges like a steep learning curve and feelings of isolation, the rewards—autonomy, personal growth, and a vibrant community of fellow founders—make it worthwhile.

Alison's advice to aspiring entrepreneurs emphasizes breaking down big goals into smaller steps, fostering kindness in collaborations, and trusting intuition.

This inspiring trajectory demonstrates how following passion can lead to unexpected yet fulfilling career paths.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Alison Griffin

Founder and Program Director

Treats.

University of Southern California, 2012

N/A

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts

Food, Beverages & Alcohol

Entrepreneurship and Business Owner

Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path Of A Founder And Program Director At Treats

Alison Griffin's career path, from a childhood surrounded by television production to founding Treats, a collective addressing burnout, showcases a dynamic journey. After film school and internships at Sony, a pivot to unscripted television and comedy production, followed by agency work and a period of reflection, led to the creation of this initiative, reflecting a desire to "heal themselves from burnout" and help others find their creative spark, proving that "following what you like to do...you never know how it's gonna help."

Career Path Of A Founder And Program Director At Treats

Main Responsibilities of a Founder and Program Director at Treats

As founder and program director, Alison's main responsibilities encompass "being the face and the clear megaphone" for Treats' mission, while simultaneously developing program structure—initially envisioning monthly in-person and outing-based activities—and proactively pursuing collaborative events, demonstrating adaptability by prioritizing community building over strictly adhering to a pre-planned schedule.

Main Responsibilities of a Founder and Program Director at Treats

A Day In The Life Of A Founder And Program Director At Treats

Alison, Founder and Program Director at Treats, prioritizes self-care and structure in their flexible schedule, beginning each day with personal needs and deep dives into research informing Treats' ethos—a focus on accessible wellness based in science and sociology, as illustrated by their current reading of "Who is Wellness For?". Their days also involve collaborations, prioritizing in-person meetings for brainstorming, and recently, embarking on a six-month accelerator program.

A Day In The Life Of A Founder And Program Director At Treats

Most Important Skills for a Founder and Program Director at Treats

Alison's career, transitioning from a producer to a founder and program director, highlights the importance of adaptability; "being flexible and kind of knowing when to prioritize" is crucial, especially in the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship, requiring one to identify "the Hot Potato" and adjust accordingly. This flexibility, honed through years of experience in a constantly changing production environment, serves as a key skill for navigating the demands of both roles.

Most Important Skills for a Founder and Program Director at Treats

Favorite Parts of Being a Founder and Program Director at Treats

Alison's favorite aspect of her role as Founder and Program Director at Treats is the autonomy, describing it as "really rewarding to have ownership over time" and enabling a self-driven work style. This entrepreneurial journey has fostered personal growth, building confidence and bravery, leading to a positive impact on both professional and personal life.

Favorite Parts of Being a Founder and Program Director at Treats

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Founder And Program Director At Treats

Alison's biggest challenge as Founder and Program Director at Treats stems from a career pivot into the nonprofit/business space, feeling like "a fish out of water" due to a lack of prior business experience. This necessitated a steep learning curve, including mastering new professional networking tools and business strategies, but this discomfort is viewed as a worthwhile investment in building a strong and sustainable organization.

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Founder And Program Director At Treats

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Startup Industry As A Founder At Treats

Alison, Founder and Program Director at Treats, most enjoys the entrepreneurial community, finding "a common trait of bravery and like maybe being a little bit nuts" amongst fellow founders. This shared passion, observed in both the entrepreneurial and production sides of their industry, fuels their work and provides inspiring connections beyond typical networking events.

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Startup Industry As A Founder At Treats

What Type Of Person Thrives In Entrepreneurship According To A Founder At Treats

Alison, Founder and Program Director at Treats, identifies a strong vision and commitment to a unique, needed product or service as key to entrepreneurial success. The most successful entrepreneurs, in Alison's experience, are "really well researched" and can articulate "a good why," demonstrating conviction and passion for their offering.

What Type Of Person Thrives In Entrepreneurship According To A Founder At Treats

What A Founder At Treats Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Entrepreneurship

Alison, Founder and Program Director at Treats, found the entrepreneurial journey "really lonely," despite being independent, highlighting the vulnerability of sharing a new idea and experiencing both the highs and lows intensely alone. Openly sharing experiences, even if others cannot fully grasp the specifics, proves helpful in mitigating this isolation.

What A Founder At Treats Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Entrepreneurship

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Founders and Program Directors

Alison, Founder and Program Director at Treats, believes entry-level entrepreneurship is accessible to anyone with a good idea, emphasizing the importance of "breaking it down into micro steps." The process involves defining the product, understanding the market, and learning from others through internships or immersion in relevant environments, gaining valuable experience and ultimately refining their vision.

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Founders and Program Directors

Significant Career Lesson From A Founder And Program Director At Treats

Alison's most significant career lesson centers on kindness and emotional intelligence, emphasizing that "being kind being respectful...really goes a long way," fostering smoother collaborations and career advancement. This approach, coupled with trusting one's intuition and embracing calculated risks, has been instrumental in their success as a founder and program director.

Significant Career Lesson From A Founder And Program Director At Treats
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