Meet Angela Shabilla | Operations

We had the good fortune of connecting with Angela Shabilla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Angela, what role has risk played in your life or career?
High risk, High reward! I’ve always prided myself on having integrity in all I do. Before leaving a 16-year job in the medical field, I never imagined I would be here nine years later. I was in a pharmacy/oncology unit where I mixed Chemotherapy treatments for cancer patients, and during work, I lost my grandmother. I remember not being so compassionate to death and thinking, “Wow, she lived 94 beautiful years.” I viewed death like anyone else. We are all just passing through until we go home. The reality, I was so used to death that I saw such young people fighting to live that I felt I should celebrate my grandmother vs moron her death. Fast forward to my parents having a conversation about how I react to death. They said, “We have never told you what to do and how to do it, but please consider transferring to a different department as death has become the norm for you.” I considered it and ended up finding a position in a pediatric office. I was working with kids, which I loved, and that year changed everything. On August 16, 2015, my father suffered a big stroke in the small part of his brain while we were at home, and in a few moments, my life changed. I remember seeing the light go out, and the trajectory of my life changed after that moment. I remember calling my siblings to come home because our father would not make it, and I recalled moments of blaming myself for not acting sooner. On August 18, 2015, my mother, brothers, and I said our goodbyes to my father, and I remember just being lost. I had no words. I remember feeling shattered and having no words, but I was grateful that he had that conversation about transferring departments. I don’t know what or how I would’ve reacted in the moment of losing my father so suddenly. I remember speaking to my brother a few months later after we laid Dad to rest, and he said. What if you had the opportunity to do something different? What if you moved out west? One of my dear family friends worked for a staffing agency in Las Vegas, and she had the opportunity to bring someone else to the team. I agreed, gave my notice at the hospital after 16 years, and decided to write a different story,

on October 31st, 2015, I left Detroit and moved to Las Vegas. For the next nine months, I learned everything and anything I could learn about staffing, brand ambassadors, models, actors, product specialists, events, and event management, and I fell in love with who I was becoming. I went on a work trip to Park City, Utah, for the Sundance Film Festival, where everything changed after that trip, and I met my now partner in Activation Pro. I am forever in debt to him for never allowing me to say no. Trevor convinced me to take this leap, which was the best decision ever. I freelanced as an ambassador in the auto show circuit, where I created relationships with many of the staff I now hire for our events. I was never in my way to excel in the industry. I worked and understood how hard this industry can be; I saw my peer’s work ethic and how other agencies handled staff, and I knew what I would and wouldn’t do. I learned so many things and created friendships that would last a lifetime. Living out of a suitcase became the norm for a long time, but I was grateful for opportunities.

Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity; I took every one I could and had many unknown moments, but I learned that with high risk comes high reward. Fear can never stand in your way; only you can control your story. I have had some of the most unbelievable moments in my life. Whether it was a movie screening, Coachella, or a staffing Comic-Con. Activation Pro has had its hands in many different activations throughout the United States, and I’m proud to say we are a fully functional nationwide staffing agency. I am very fortunate to be a part of an industry that is growing daily. Watching guest’s experiences has become a natural part of my life. I love to help our staff succeed in this industry and offer opportunities. I wouldn’t be who I am or help build a company into a company without Trevor. He has always allowed me to be the best version of myself, and I am forever grateful for his friendship. He is my friend, mentor, and partner, and AP wouldn’t be what it is today if he didn’t push me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
On some days, I feel like a firefighter because I’m just putting out fires all day, but my professional title is Operations Manager at Activation Pro.

What sets me apart from others? I run a tight ship. I’m firm and direct, and on many days, this is very misunderstood. I don’t work off lots of emotion but with logic. As a woman in an industry, I strive to be the best version of myself. I value my time and want to help create unforgettable experiences. I love to see people thrive in what they do, and if I can help them achieve goals, it makes it all worth it.

What are you most proud of? I’m proud of my experiences, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’m proud that I overcame obstacles, especially those moments when certain people would say, “This won’t work,” or “You won’t amount to anything.” It was never about proving anything to anyone but to myself.

How did I get to where I am today? First and foremost, God, I wouldn’t be who or what I am without God. He instilled this fire inside me that I can’t help but stay focused on goals and perspective. I offer all my days and everything in Jesus’ name. I owe a lot to my family and friends, especially my best friend and whole heart, Joe; without him and his support, his daily reminders of how proud he is of me and my achievements, nothing goes unnoticed. Whether it’s that early morning text to remind me, he’s thinking about me while I’m at work to wish me an amazing day, or that late call after a 15-hour day. He has always motivated me and reminded me that I can do anything; his daily reminders of how much he truly loves me make me feel like I can do anything, and I am forever grateful that I have him in my life. My motivation amplifies when I am with my two beautiful nieces, Amelia and Eliana. They bring so much joy and peace to my world, and my world is loud.

What am I excited about? I’m excited about the next nine years and what’s to come; I can’t wait to see where I can take Activation Pro!

How did I get where I am professionally? Lots of sleepless nights, lots of coffee, and lots of patience. It was not easy, but it was worth it; you have to have a work-life balance and work in different time zones with many different people and personalities. Communication is essential, and I try to ensure everyone understands that personal life and business are two different things. I do well with separating both. I am very compassionate in situations, but I don’t lose sight of the fact that we have a job and tasks to be completed. It’s not personal; it’s all business.

How do I overcome challenges? I’ve learned to stop, listen, and process things before speaking; I listen twice before speaking and focus on solutions and not staying on the problem. There is always a solution to all problems.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way? I’ve learned that you can’t expect a version of yourself out of anyone. You can lead by example and hope that some people will do self-reflection and hope they want to grow.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story? I want to be the leading staffing agency in the world. I want to be able to walk into events and know our clients can trust we have staff working and executing events to their potential. I want our staff to know they are valued and appreciated; without them, this industry would be nothing. They bring light and energy to this world; without them, we would have beautiful pop-ups, booths, and events. The human effect on things makes this world what it is! I always say it at the end of an event: ” I can’t do this shit without you.”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This one is so hard. I travel so much and never stay in one place for too long. I would take my best friend with me on a work trip. I would spend twenty-four hours in NYC to eat the best food and some site seeing Hudson Yard, Central Park, and Timesquare and definitely eat at Ippudo in East Village, twenty-four hours in Miami to soak in the sun and do some shopping in the design district get a latte at Dior and eat at Calle Ocho. Forty-eight hours in Vegas to catch a show, eat a meal at LPM (I love their oysters), party until the sun comes up, and try our luck gambling to win some money.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wish I could name all our staff. Without them, there is no Activation Pro, and without the help of Trevor Christensen and Martin Shabilla, I would be lost. We are a great team, and we all have strengths to bring to the table to ensure we lead by example.

Website: https://www.activationpro.com

Instagram: @angies209

Linkedin: Angela Shabilla

Facebook: Angela Shabilla

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