Lipstick Ready highlights Alexandra Wurst for the “Girls with Gloss” series.
Written by: Mariska Sackey
This week, “Girls with Gloss” highlights Alexandra Wurst, better known as radio host Ayeeedubb. Alexandra is a native of Salisbury, North Carolina. Growing up she always knew her voice was special, and she wanted it to be heard all over the world. To jump-start her career, Ayeeedubb interned with a new hip-hop radio station in Charlotte while obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Human Services at Wingate University. After her internship ended, Alexandra was offered a job to be an on-air personality at Streetz 103.3 and 100.5. Three years later she was offered her first full time radio position with Live 99.9, a Top 40 radio station in South Bend, Indiana.
Read on to learn how this Girl with Gloss is taking the radio industry by storm!
What area is your show closest to? What are some of your biggest accomplishments so far in your career? (Albums, Books, Sponsorships, etc.)
I represent Charlotte, NC, but I am currently living in South Bend, Indiana. I have worked with Aunt Jackie’s Hair Care Brand.
Has it been a smooth journey getting into your industry? If not, what obstacles did you face and how did you overcome them?
Not always. My first radio station I worked for was independent and had their own issues and went through a lot of changes, so that was frustrating but also eye opening. I would have days where I felt like everyone knew who I was, but then I would feel discouraged because certain opportunities didn’t present themselves.
What is the biggest misconception about your line of work?
That all I do is just talk! There's so much planning a great radio show. I have to create flyers or Instagram promo. I have to create audio skits to play on air and edit commercials. I have to be out and about in public at events and interact with people and handle social media as well.
How old were you when you discovered your gift? When did you get comfortable sharing that gift with other people and how did they react?
I think I was 20 when I got the notion that I could do radio and be a personality. I always had an interest in journalism but never pursued it. I was 19 or 20 when Snapchat and Vine was taking off and I would make little videos and skits on there. My friends would follow me and thought I was hilarious. So, that kind of sparked this "gift” and interest of radio. Being an actual radio personality was fresh and not a lot of people knew about it. So, when I was interning at radio and then becoming part-time, my friends thought it was cool, but my family still didn't understand my passion for radio until opportunities came.
What was your childhood like? Describe your environment from your house to your neighborhood to your school. How did these experiences shape you and your future success?
I had a pretty good childhood despite my parent's marital issues, my parents always tried to give my sister and I everything. Our family was constantly relocating. There was a time where I could remember attending different schools every year. Things got better when I went to middle school in a new town and we stayed there until I went to college. I made a lot of friends and lost a lot, but overall, I wouldn't change anything because I believe everything I went through made me who I am today.
Describe the moment when you knew you were on the right path. How did that affirmation encourage you to keep pursuing your dreams?
The moment I knew I was on the right track was when I got this full time job offer in Indiana. I never in a million years thought I would actually be living in Indiana. I never knew when I would ever get a full time radio show. I never knew I would actually make it to a Top 40 radio station! I would pray and I would ask God for signs for direction for this radio industry. Should I change careers? Like what’s up, what am I doing? And then things worked out and led up to a way that I was offered this job and I knew I could not turn this down. If I did, I would probably still be in Charlotte, not on radio, doing Lyft, or doing a job I just didn't want to do, all while trying to work on my entertainment and radio life.
What have you had to do - mentally, physically, emotionally - to prepare yourself to pursue your career?
You have to exude a confident demeanor about yourself in this industry. You have to be willing to learn, but also be confident in your craft and creativity. You will be told “No” more than “Yes.” That changes nothing. So, you always have to have a positive outlook on things or you are going to be upset, negative and depressed all the time.
Tell us about your big break! What was it like? How did it feel? Did you see it coming? Did you know this was your moment?
I remember the day I got the call to work part-time on air and board operator for my first radio station. I cried. That’s when I knew this is really what I wanted to do. I have had a lot of "big break" moments and exciting things, but I'm still waiting to work for one of the top 10 radio markets and/or working with a big television network.
Tell us about your inner circle (close friends, family, mentors, relationship). How does their support impact your success?
My close friends are everything to me! They are always there for me and also give amazing advice. My family always has my best interests at heart and really helps me out. I believe I have a pretty good relationship with my friends and family. I have friends for different things. And my family is quite small. But I love it. I still believe that I am reliable for my own success. I’m blessed to have a support system and encouragement and reinforcement from them. But, at the end of the day, I'm the one working my career and in my field and sometimes my family doesn't get the lifestyle. But, my entertainment friends do, so that’s how it balances out.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned about yourself and others?
Only you can make yourself happy and you will waste your time trying to please others in your life. You are the only person living your life. Do what you want. Whoever doesn't like it or agree with it, then forget them. They are living their own life too.
What do you see yourself accomplishing in the next 3 years? What are you currently doing to prepare for this outcome?
I see myself making it into one of the top 10 radio markets with a full time show. I see myself working with big brands on social media and working with a major tv network as a host for something. What I am doing currently is to excel at the smaller radio station I am now and learning as much as I can and be able to show it off to another station once my contract is up here. I'm doing things to keep my Instagram interactive and appealing and building the following. I am practicing my interviewing and talking and being entertaining through YouTube videos and podcasting and Instagram videos to show off to major TV networks that may be looking for a new host or correspondent.
Can you share a secret with us that you haven’t shared anywhere else?
A lot of people think I just get on a microphone and talk on the radio show, but when I was at my first radio station, I pre-recorded EVERYTHING I wanted to say. I hardly went live on air. Now, at my second station, I don't pre-record anymore, but I do write out everything and go live. Sometimes, I have a stutter problem or I speak too fast, so writing down what I want to say helps.
If you could talk to your 15-year-old self, what would you say?
Please work harder. Save your money. Don't have a boyfriend in college. Wake up earlier. Surround yourself with genuine people. Everything will change and fall in place.
Why is it important for the next generation of young women to see people like yourself? What message do you have for a Gen Z’er hoping to pursue a similar career?
Branding is very important! Have a catchy name, style, talent. What would make people want to listen to you every day on a radio show or to watch your videos? What makes you stand out? It is hard to get into radio, but if you do the right things and stay focused and motivated, you can actually make it! You have to be on your A-Game at all times because you don't want to miss an opportunity when you are given one.
Alexandra Wurst is a Girl with Gloss!
Wanna keep up with Ayeeedub? Details below!
Instagram: @ayeeedubb
Youtube: Ayeeedubb
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