Meet Olivia Shalhoup The Digital Strategist Breaking Barriers One Collab At A Time

Olivia Shalhoup is a true leader that doesn't mind sharing the spotlight with others. Her collaborative spirit and creative hustle has to lead her to become one of the most impactful digital strategists in the music industry. 

Shalhoup wears many hats, and she does it well. She started as an intern at Carpark Records in Washington, DC, where she sharpened her skills with artists like Toro y Moi and Cloud Nothings. Olivia now owns her digital marketing agency called Amethyst Collab. She also continues showcasing her genuine love for music through Thee Purple Room, a social media platform she created to highlight artists on the rise. 

Going from the West Coast to East Coast, Olivia has shared her creativity all over. She has worked with artists whose music she has long enjoyed, including Ashanti, Tripped Redd, and Yung Kayo.

We recently had the opportunity to chat with her about the power of uplifting other women, the different obstacles she's faced, and more. Check out the full interview below: 

What inspired you to start Amesthyst Collab and Thee Purple Room?

I started my social media marketing agency Amethyst Collab because I saw a lot of repetition in the digital marketing world. I wanted to bring more creativity to the industry, and legitimize social media as an avenue of promotion for artists and brands. We were early to that concept, but now social media is probably the most crucial part of any brand’s marketing and growth plan. Getting to work on social campaigns with artists that I’ve long loved, like Ashanti, Trippie Redd, and Yung Kayo is an added bonus.. 

I started Thee Purple Room out of pure love for music and artist discovery. Amethyst has given me a chance to work with some of the biggest artists of today, and Thee Purple Room allows me to pour into the artists of tomorrow.

What obstacles have you faced working as a woman in a historically male-dominated industry?

I have faced many obstacles as a young woman in a male dominated field, but prefer to focus on how I overcome them. I found my place in this industry by pouring into the people who pour into me. Finding my community and counting on them for support and advice changed everything for me. So did building my own business, so I can actively dismantle the type of outdated, misogynistic institutions that I encountered early in my career. Community building at the highest levels, so hopefully more female CEOs can come after me. 

Who are your favorite female artists to listen to?

Kenzo B, Nay the Dancer, Jenn Carter, a lot of the drill girlies are killing it right now. I also love Xaiolan and 1sis, who make what I like to call “baddie bops”. Just feel good, fire music. 

In what ways have you uplifted women within the industry? How do you plan to continue providing support?

After I started the first all-female panel series in the music industry, which made meaningful connections throughout the industry and was even covered by Billboard, I realized how much mentorship and collaboration is important to me [hence the name, Amethyst Collab. I was able to launch my career largely because of the mentorship that other women provided for me, and continue to provide to this day. My mentor, she always says “each one teach one” so I knew I had to pass it on with mentees of my own. 

How do you celebrate and take care of yourself?

Wow, great question, I’m still learning how. I am obsessed with my self care routine. My morning routine where I take a workout class, do my skincare routine, meditate, whatever I need that day, is sacred. Work really does feel like a celebration to me though, getting to build my own company while building the careers of artists is everything to me.

How would you challenge the industry to increase representation and support for women?

Hire us, pay us, and stop talking over us in meetings. In fact, shame the men who do! Lol. Women, let’s reach back. It’s important yet hard work to be the first woman in the room, but let’s try never to be the last. 

What advice would you offer to the next generation of women in the industry?

Be bold with your ideas, and confident in your abilities. You likely worked twice as hard to get into these rooms, three times as hard if you’re a woman of color.

Lastly, what makes you Rare?

Being not only a female founder, but a young one as well, who has successfully earned clients that are some of the most sought-after artists and businesses in the music industry, and built a business that employs other women. My biggest #flex if you will.