Meet Angela Watts of 10 Squared and RAGTRADE ATLANTA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Watts.

Angela, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I began my entrepreneur journey in 2003 when I was brought in as a partner to promote Atlanta’s first day party called “Easy Sundays”. Due to much success, entertainment promotions led me to launch AW Media Group, an entertainment public relations agency in 2006. Shortly after, I rebranded AW Media Group to 10 Squared. Our agency transitioned to an experiential marketing agency that provides culturally-relevant brand strategy and experiential programming for key clients in fashion, music, TV/film and the arts. Since launching my career in marcomm, I have executed campaigns for brands such as Walmart, Sam’s, City of Atlanta, Universal Pictures, Fox Searchlight, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Organic Roots Stimulator, HBO and have received numerous awards including “Best in Atlanta” by Atlanta Tribune.

As I grew my agency, my ambitions to grow Atlanta’s fashion industry grew. Since 2006, I’ve executed my version of Atlanta Fashion Week by producing runway shows and presentations for retailers, emerging and established designers locally. In 2013, I decided it was time to bring our runway shows and presentations under RAGTRADE ATLANTA (www.ragtradeatlanta.com), a fashion organization committed to developing a sustainable fashion industry for the City of Atlanta. My progressive work with RAGTRADE ATLANTA garnered me one of the city’s biggest honors, the City of Atlanta Phoenix Award in 2014.

In 2017, I was approached by the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to develop a marketing program for their award-winning retail program. My team developed Global Runway and since its initial launch, the program has increased airport retail profits and garnered millions of brand impressions globally. Two years later, with my continued efforts and belief in the city’s efforts to shape American style and culture, my team officially announced Atlanta Fashion Week (www.atlantafashionweek.co ), the first fashion week fully-supported by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment. As of today, we are currently in the planning stages for Atlanta Fashion Week, which is scheduled to launch August 5 – 9, 2020.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
A smooth road? Not so much. Both 10 Squared and RAGTRADE ATLANTA scaled pretty quickly, which brought about different problems that demanded different solutions. My team had to constantly create new perspectives or simply push boundaries to stay ahead of the curve. Either way, the challenges we endured with staffing, building long-term demand and more kept us out of our comfort zone.

Please tell us about 10 Squared and RAGTRADE ATLANTA.
I have two businesses that I am focused on as of now… however, they both share my biggest passion point – fashion. Our focus on fashion has always set us apart from our competitors in this market.

As mentioned before, RAGTRADE ATLANTA is an organization that is committed to developing a sustainable fashion industry for the City of Atlanta. Our organization aims to further the growth and interests of local and international designers in four key areas: Business Development, Scholarship Awards/Grants, Reputation, and Innovation & Tech. RAGTRADE ATLANTA is also the producer of the official Atlanta Fashion Week which is supported by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment.

10 Squared is a creative marketing agency that partners with the world’s most entrepreneurial brands who seek innovative marketing and experiential programs in fashion, music, TV/film and the arts.

As of date, I am most proud of our efforts to garner the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment support for Atlanta Fashion Week. It became real when we hosted our official announcement and we had several city officials onsite to verbalize and show their support.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My village is so strong and supportive. My closest friends and family have had my back from the very beginning when I announced that I was leaving corporate America to pursue a career in entrepreneurship…and they never faltered in their support. From sharing advice, business tools and educational articles to lending their time… they have always encouraged me to keep going and to never give up. There are too many to name… but they know who they are! 🙂

Contact Info:

• Address: 384 Northyards Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Website: www.10squaredagency.com / www.ragtradeatlanta.com
• Phone: 678-637-0982
• Email: hello@10squaredpr.com / angela@ragtradeatlanta.com
• Instagram: @10squared / @ragtradeatlanta
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/10Squaredagency/ // https://www.facebook.com/ragtradeatlanta/

Image Credit:
@geenomizelli – 1st image
@angelaswatts – by me

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