To do the work you love, you’ve got to unlock a few doors. UNLOCKED Stories are honest conversations with 20 and 30-somethings who chose a path + made it happen.

A note from Ellen: I’m thrilled to spotlight Mason Robinson, Content Guru for Chubbies Shorts. Mason’s story is seriously bold — he walked away from a high-paying job in the health field and completely reinvented his life + career, all before age 30.

Today, he’s a professional video producer! (Check out some of his amazing videos, here!)

Mason took big risks and unlocked some mighty big doors along the way.

I’m proud of him and inspired by him. I know you will be, too!

Read on, and don’t miss the reflection questions at the very end of this interview.

What do you do?

[Mason]: I am the Content Guru for Chubbies Shorts. We make radical shorts for men who enjoy relaxing, looking cool and being awesome.

In other words: men of discerning taste… who hate the confines of pants and all that they stand for.

Chubbies is a super fun company to work for, because nobody here takes themselves too seriously. We like to laugh, crack jokes and have fun and we know our customers do, too!

We definitely make high-quality, American-made clothing — but there’s nothing uptight and formal about Chubbies.

As the Content Guru, my job is to produce videos for our website and social media channels. I write the scripts, oversee the shooting of each video, do the editing, packaging and sometimes even post the videos online. Basically, everything!

What’s your favorite part about your job?

[Mason]: I love my job because I get to take every video concept from “idea” to “finished product.” I like being part of the entire process, start to finish.

I also love knowing that I’m contributing to the growth of the company — building a fanbase and reaching new audiences. with every video we release.

Our fanbase continues to grow, which is so exciting to watch. Right now, we have almost a million followers on Facebook, 98,000 on Twitter, 92,000 on Instagram and 5,000 on YouTube.

To sum it up: I get to make awesome videos for an audience of awesome poeple. For me, it doesn’t get better than that.

How did you discover that you love making videos?

[Mason]: It’s something that I have always loved. My buddies and I have been making videos since we were 12 years old. As we got older, I continued making videos of all of us on snowboarding and surfing trips.

I guess it’s always been always been a passion of mine… but for a long time, I didn’t really believe that it could be my career.

And for a long time… it wasn’t! Tell us what you were doing before you started working at Chubbies.

After I graduated from Stanford in 2008, I thought my career choices were limited to banking, law or consulting. It never occurred to me that I could branch out and do anything I wanted. So I applied for a “safe” job and wound up working for a healthcare consulting firm. I was there for 4 ½ years.

But my job didn’t really have anything to do with “healthcare” or “helping people.”

Basically: I was a glorified bill collector.

My last 6 months on the job were literally painful. I hated going to work. I was making a great salary and only working 35 hours a week. But I was really unhappy.

Finally, I just had no choice but to leave. I couldn’t do it anymore, and I realized that I needed to be doing something more creative.

People thought I was crazy to leave my “solid” job, but my mom was totally understanding and supportive and told me to go for it. So I did.

Wow! A bold move. What was it like after you quit your job? And how did you transition from “bill collector” to “videographer”?

[Mason]: After quitting my job at the healthcare company, I was scraping by on unemployment and minimum wage — doing part-time work.

But even with a lot less money, I was so much happier in my life.

I started working with a startup company called The Getaway Club — a travel agency for people in their twenties. I also did freelance writing for a PR company and some modeling. I tested out lots of different things and tried to stay curious and open-minded. I definitely didn’t want to rush into another job… that I hated.

I got involved with Chubbies after I saw a Facebook post from one of the founders who was an old friend from school. It said: “Anyone out there good at creative writing?”

I had always liked creative writing, so I figured, “Why not?”

I contacted him, and that was how I landed my first gig with Chubbies.

You started working for Chubbies, but it was tough for you to turn that part-time gig into a full-time position. What happened next?

[Mason]: It was a twisting turn of events. Unfortunately while I was working part-time, Chubbies instituted a hiring freeze — which meant that nobody could get hired for a full-time position, period.

I didn’t want to give up because I Ioved the company and I loved making videos. I wanted to prove to them that I was worth hiring — freeze or no freeze!

I started working 60+ hours a week, even though I was told not to work over 30. I was working an insane amount and making substantially less than I’d grown accustomed to. But I kept going.

Finally, after many months, I had a tough conversation with my boss and said, “I love it here… but if you can’t offer me full-time employment, and a full-time salary, I’ve got to find another job somewhere else.”

Thankfully, my hard work paid off. They were able to offer me a fulltime job, and it has been everything I’d hoped for and more.

Hooray! Your perserverance and grit really paid off.

[Mason]: Since unlocking that door, lots of exciting things have been happening for you. Your video footage has attracted a huge following online, with many of your videos getting over 100,000 views, each. And your footage has been featured on major TV networks like ABC and CNBC!

What’s the absolute BEST thing that’s happened to you, since you wrangled your dream job at Chubbies?

The best thing that has happened to me is that I have absolutely fallen in love with visual storytelling.

I am learning an immense amount about a fascinating art form, working with people I really like, and getting free reign to be as creative as I can be.

The office culture is amazing. We spend hours each day brainstorming and coming up with creative ways to engage and impress Chubster Nation!

Back in my bill collector days, I had to drag myself to work and I felt like I was wasting away. But now, I cannot wait to go to work. I often work late into the night or happily on the weekends… not because I have to, but because I want to!

This career path has opened my world in ways I could not have imagined.

What’s the next big door that you need to unlock? (And what’s the plan?)

[Mason]: I would like to continue to evolve as a videographer.

Eventually, I may want to go to film school or write a screenplay.

But for now, I am committed to doing my part to attract an amazing (and amazingly big) audience for Chubbies shorts.

Last but not least: What’s your biggest piece of advice for anyone who wants to stay motivated, do amazing work and unlock major doors?

[Mason]: I hate to seem cliché, but the usual advice that we all hear is so true:

Do what drives you.

Stay optimistic and avoid negative energy.

There are always trade-offs in life, but don’t settle for a job that just provides you with money or comfort. It’s not enough. At least it wasn’t enough for me.

There may be opportunities in the future that you are not seeing… yet.

Be open to possibilities.

And when you find something that you love to do… don’t give up!

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UNLOCK yourself

Three questions to think about, write about — or talk about with a friend.

1. After college, Mason took a “safe” job that paid the bills and stuck with it for years, even though the work was miserable.. Finally, he found the courage to walk away.

: Have you ever walked away from something that “seemed” like a good idea? How did you find the courage to do it?

2. Mason loves working at Chubbies Shorts because the workplace culture is laid back, offbeat and seriously fun — just like the products they create!

: What are three words that might sum up the “workplace culture” of your dream company?

3. Mason had to work double-time — literally — to prove to his employers that he was dedicated, passionate and highly valuable to the company. Finally, he landed the job of his dreams.

: Is there a task that you’d be willing to do for 60 hours a week… for several months… if it meant getting the job of your dreams? What would that “task” be?

 

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For more UNLOCKED interviews, click over here.

Know somebody that ought to be spotlighted? Write to me here.

See you next time for another inspiring conversation!

To do the work you love, you’ve got to unlock a few doors. UNLOCKED Stories are honest conversations with 20 and 30-somethings who chose a path + made it happen.

A note from Ellen: I’m thrilled to spotlight Angela Tafoya, the San Francisco-based editor for Refinery 29.

These days, Angela has a seriously cool + enviable job — but she had to survive 30 job interview rejections to get there! Her story is a lesson in bravery + persistence. I’m totally inspired by her — and I know you will be, too.

Read on, and don’t miss the powerful questions at the very end.

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What do you do?

[Angela]: I work as the San Francisco editor for a website called Refinery 29.

Refinery 29 is a website for people who love reading about fashion, beauty and lifestyle trends, and who love discovering the “best of” what their city has to offer. We have about 8 million readers a day — and our readers are mostly, but not exclusively, women.

My work varies from day to day. Right now I am covering just about everything in the San Francisco market. Producing the stories, writing the newsletters, finding freelance writers who can contribute additional articles, attending photo shoots, and of course, looking for the “next big thing” that’s happening in the Bay Area.

Basically: my job is to make sure that every article we publish is totally exciting + intriguing for our San Fran-based readers.

I love that I have a lot of creative freedom, and every day at work feels a little bit different!

Lots of people dream about working for super-hot websites and blogs. How did you get started in this line of work? And how did you land your dream job at Refinery 29?

[Angela]: I’ve always known that I wanted to work in publishing.

Even as a teenager, I was fascinated by how great magazine headlines + stories are crafted. I would study my favorite magazines from the perspective of a journalist, not necessarily as a casual reader.

After I graduated from college, I did a series of internships for small, local magazines… and then eventually worked my way up to a few bigger publications, like Angeleno Magazine.

While working at Angeleno, I got my first taste of what it felt like to create content for the web — not just for print magazines.

Online media was fairly “new” in those days, so “blogging” and writing “online articles” felt innovative and groundbreaking. I loved it, and realized quickly that I wanted to work in the world of online publishing.

A couple years down the line, I got a job as a freelance writer for Refinery 29. That freelance gig eventually turned into a more permanent position as the Editorial Assistant. And after three months, I was promoted to the Editor.

The leaning curve was very steep, but in many ways, it was a great experience to have it all happen so fast! It forced me to grow as a writer, editor and curator, very quickly.

Your current job rocks, but there was a time when you felt really frustrated because you couldn’t land the kind of job that you wanted. Tell us more about that experience — and how you got through it.

[Angela]: After graduating from college, there was a period of time where I applied for so many jobs, I practically lost count. I must have gone on 20 or 30 job interviews, and nothing was panning out.

At one point I thought my dream of working in publishing — as a paid employee, not just an unpaid intern — was never going to happen.

But… I was persistent. I refused to take “no” for an answer.

Even if someone turned me down for a position, I would follow up and politely ask “why?” I kept the conversation going because I wanted to show people I was serious — and also because I wanted to stay on their radar for future positions.

I knew that if I just kept at it — reaching out, following up, keeping the lines of communication open — one day, a door would finally open.

It took time, but my persistence paid off.

What are some of the most exciting things that have been happening for you, lately?

[Angela]: So many awesome things!

Since becoming the San Francisco Editor for Refinery 29, I’ve been able to meet so many local people doing incredible things — folks that I find so inspiring and who are role models for women and entrepreneurs, everywhere.

I got to interview the designer Zac Posen… and I just had an amazing conversation with Kimberly Bryant, the founder of Black Girls Code.

These kinds of conversations have given me a fresh perspective on how to approach my writing, my work… and my life.

You’ve already unlocked so many doors for yourself — and your hard work has led to great success. What’s next for you?

[Angela]: Back when I was fiercely hunting for my dream job, the job-hunting process took up a lot of my time and energy.

But now that I’ve landed a job that I love, I have a lot more energy to pour in other directions — like wellness and fitness.

For example, last year I was invited to run half marathon. At first I said “no.” But then I realized I spend so much time at my computer and I had not worked out in a year. So I went for it. It was life changing.

Up next? More physical challenges — like that!

It’s been awesome to be able to bring my “non-work” passions into my work — writing articles on health and exercise, based on experiences I’m having in my own life.

It’s pretty fantastic when “life” and “work” can blend together — each side enhancing the other.

Last but not least: What’s your biggest piece of advice for anyone who wants to stay motivated, do amazing work and unlock major doors?

[Angela]: Be persistent.

Don’t be afraid to follow up and keep a conversation going — even after someone has said, “No.”

Be brave.

Always introduce yourself at parties and gatherings. Put yourself out there. Be open and talk to lots of people. Share what you’re up to — and what you love.

Ask questions.

When you see someone living your dream — or working at your dream job — say to them, “I like what you do. How did you get there?”

Most of all:

Pay close attention to the things that you love doing — whether it’s reading, running, photography or exploring your city. Whatever you love to do, there’s always a way to turn it into a career.

Believe the expression: “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life!”

UNLOCK yourself

Three questions to think about, write about — or talk about with a friend.

1. Even as a kid + teenager, Angela was obsessed with magazines and loved studying great headlines to try to understand why they worked. That was her first clue that she wanted to work in publishing.

: What’s one of your personal obsessions? (Get specific: Not just “watching TV” but “watching TV because of the amazing set designs and costumes.”) What kind of career would allow you to indulge in that obsession, every day?

2. Angela loves the fact that her job feels a little bit different, every day. She’s rarely doing the exact same task, all day long.

: Do you crave a job that’s consistent, where you know exactly what to expect each day? Or would you prefer something with tons of variety? Or something in the middle?

3. After college, Angela felt frustrated after going on 30 job interviews — and getting rejected for each one. But she was persistent and refused to give up.

: Have you ever experienced a “dry spell” where the world just felt like one, big locked door? What did you tell yourself to get through it?

 

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For more UNLOCKED interviews, click over here.

Know somebody that ought to be spotlighted? Write to me here.

See you next time for another inspiring conversation!

Photo: Refinery29 | Maria del Rio.