Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea-Rachel Parker
Hi Andrea-Rachel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I can just say this much…i dont think my story is finished just yet. atleast i hope its still being written to say the least… some days I feel as though it has barely begun. so one phase may be more focused on my acting, another on my tech endeavors while some phases may just be a mini series on me learning new things about myself, life, or discovering new skills and perfecting old crafts. I dnt know. so its harder to say where I began when I feel like I’m still just starting but I can say that most recently life’s twists and turns in all of its madness, has to some good stuff also. has lead me to considered for roles I once thought I was overlooked for, grace I thought I wouldn’t be bestowed & love that has found me again & finding new ways to pivot. but most will say they heard of a show I did, or a project I worked on. I am grateful to be an actress who has worked with greats, on wu-tang: an american saga.. on hulu. alongside julian elijah martinez, dave east, tj atoms, method man, rza, ashton sanders. i’ve also been seen in all 3 seasons of the deuce, alongside chris bauer, james franco, margarita levieva, gary carr, olivia luccardi, gbenga akinnagbe,thaddeus street,katcunning,lawrence gilliard jr & so many others. Went “viral” briefly for my fun role in power, on stars, as destiny, alongside graceful cast naturi, omari, lela, curtis, Michael rainy jr & joseph sikora. which now has gone on to have about three new spin off shows. Lol. shouts to that fun.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think things are ever truly just all smooth sailing, no matter what industry or field we pursue. but I can say that even still to this day, i’ve been met with so much grace that at many times, ive had to be thankful for someone stepping in that made the process much simpler, smoother, safer or in my favor. acting for me has always been a fun thing to do though despite any difficulties or challenges ive been met with, because there was always so much more about it that i enjoyed. i always loved getting a new script or story idea and immediately being transported into this other world. I like the idea of building my characters backstory I like adding all these new elements to my own body composition that allows me to be a different specific person, to make the character come to life, so I’m constantly looking for more character, leading works to really dive into. as for the process, I can say that at every phase there is a different challenge. as an audition-er, challenges comes way of getting an agent, being seen, being memorable, landing gigs…then as you climb being met with newer things. managing a cast or leading a cast and balancing personalities are also a thing. as I’ve transitioned into tech, it’s been rather welcoming… but being seen as a leader of your space, understanding the skeptical eyes and looks, learning about how to scale when to scale when you’re valued & different things it’s based off of, retaining key components, receiving capital or donations all play a major role on the journey. everything is not always as easily said but I can just say, launching www.doyoutradefor.com & other things has been an experience. think over time things get easier, new ppl come into the spaces, and we get better accustomed to handling things with more grace. as for a producing project ive started on, i just hope people find interest enough in it to see it & watch it. i am using it as a learning experience on how to string together a narrative from scratch in a newer way.
We’ve been impressed with moniker is “doyoutf” but official name is TF?! which stands for tradefor , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
well we began as a way for those who are seen as unique & different, within society, (& their allies/supporters) to bond, find solace, and use their resources skills among one another to barter trade & learn; by creating online & in person events & meetups to do so at. Firstly, to show that there was a way to bridge the gap, gain understanding, find ppl that they could relate to, sync them to resources and overtime create a network of ppl who could promote their passions get creative works accomplished by meeting newer faces easier. example, one take pictures one may be good at hairstyling and being the liaison hub between the two so that they can meet and figure out ways to fairly work together & explore options that work for them.
over time it seems to become more of a way for the friends families and supportive peers to gather and meet to blow off steam, and turned into more of a rewards program. where all of our members have access to different deals and discounts they otherwise wouldn’t have access to just by being part of our hub.
there is a free tier, gives access to creating your own profile and networking with others & a paid subscription tier that gives access to downloading resourceful guides files, being in the know about new events, a casting job board, a members only webpage, a free 30 min coaching session, and of course as I’ve stated earlier, access to discounts and deals to businesses, products and boutiques.
proudest moment, was our first big offer for our trademark. which was initially valued by a site at 10k… we had a enormous overseas offer from a sex toy company to buy the trademark for $1billion a few months back. which honestly I thought was fake until we did some digging. in retrospect, I should’ve taken the deal but they put too much pressure to answer within a short time frame. It wouldn’t have given me time to find a lawyer and read over terms & the thought of not being able to use my own trademark for promotion of family events (when tf?! was created in honor of my decease brother chaz antwan williams) kinda made me think harder on what i was doing. anyways, it was a proud moment bc i learned that i had something, actually worth something, on its own, that I didn’t have to do anything more with. & reminded me that if I could be offered by them, i may find another offer from a company that is a bit more in alignment. the hope was to eventually lease it, i just have to learn more about that kind of stuff i guess. in the meantime im going to see if i can grow tf?! Into a multi billion business but there will always be a free component & aspect bc that’s who i am at the core.
Any big plans?
trying to pivot, lean more into where it has naturally taken us. get more businesses on board for our members. I think it’s good for them to know and realize that there is an under-served community of people that are willing to spend dollars if there is integrity and brand trust. our biz offers an easy way for smaller businesses to create brand awareness, build trust & build ‘allyship’ within these underserved communities.
so finding more ways to give access via rewards deals and discounts while also making and keeping it mutually beneficial to our businesses and creating a better system to do so, is in the works. hopefully can continue to build the tf?! name so that another company makes an offer, maybe nike lol or another business that we know would and could maintain a level of brand integrity that my brother chaz antwan williams would have been proud or even excited to be bought by…maybe a disney but who knows? .. maybe another fund. rightnow, just figuring out why some things work & etc. very grateful.
Pricing:
- free network platform
- $25.00 subscription tier
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.doyoutradefor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doyoutf
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doyoutf
- Twitter: https://x.com/@tradeforintl
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@doyoutf
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/doyoutradefor/
Image Credits
@samanthastudio
@rocknrollazero (edits) @shaunxw (last two)
