We recently had the chance to connect with Anna Slay and have shared our conversation below.
Anna, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Walking on a beautiful day. I love to observe nature and savor each moment I have outdoors. I am very fortunate to live close to a lake with greenways where I walk daily. I put my phone away and just look around trying not miss anything. It keeps me grounded and brings me peace.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Anna Slay, owner of Devise Talent Agency, located in the Southeast and the proud mom of two adult kids who have their own interests. I have been in the talent industry for over 20 years and started my own agency in 2017. My team and I represent actors and models of all ages and demographics. I love getting to know all my clients. What I have been told that makes this agency unique, is that we give each person we represent, individual attention and we welcome communication. My team and I strongly believe that we should work as a team with each person we represent. We work all day submitting our actors and models for TV, film, commercials, print, theatre, and voiceovers.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad taught me the importance of hard work. As a businessman who owned several finance companies, he traveled a lot, but he still managed to find time for what he viewed as the most important thing in the world, and that was his family. My mother was a paraplegic from polio that she developed when they were only 20 years old. My dad was going to school, working, taking care of a toddler and by my mother’s side every single day for the whole 9 months she was in the hospital. I always knew my dad was special and I admired his work ethic and the balance he was able to maintain with his family. Not to exclude my mother, who raised 4 kids from a wheelchair! I enjoy keeping busy and feel like I’m always trying to evolve my business and keep up with the current trends of the industry. Things change so quickly, but I enjoy the challenge.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
I have always loved being outdoors. When I was a kid, I grew up in an area where there was no leash law, so all the dogs in the neighborhood roamed. I remember always being around a pack of dogs and never ever did it occur to me to be afraid of them. They took care of me and followed me everywhere I went. No one was going to mess with me! With my mother being in a wheelchair, she couldn’t come outside with me. Times were different then. Kids played outside all day long by themselves, but I firmly believe God sent those angels to protect me. I have always loved animals and all of my pets I’ve ever had were rescues-either strays or from the shelter. Animals have always provided me comfort, and they help me to overcome sadness and anxiety. I don’t know how to live without them. They have taught me compassion and patience.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I have a great team who is just as passionate about this business as I am, so I value their insight. We don’t always agree, but I wouldn’t be able to do this without them. Our actors are also behind every decision we make. We want them to succeed, and we always rely on that goal to drive everything we do.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am in the industry that has always fascinated me as a kid, so in a way I do feel like I was born to be a talent agent even if it’s something I had never thought about doing. I have always been one to support others in their endeavors, so it’s quite natural for me. I have always enjoyed the arts-music, dance, theater, and of course a good movie. I grew up in a smaller southern town in Louisiana, where I wasn’t exposed to the industry, so it was also a huge mystery to me. It wasn’t until I was in my 20’s and moved here to North Carolina, that I was able to fulfill my dream of being in a musical. Once, I was talking with someone about how I love supporting people’s endeavors and they asked me what I did to support my own. That really hit hard. I decided to focus a little on my own talents-I have sung the National Anthem many times, which was a goal of mine and I am currently working on a screenplay that is near and dear to my heart. My husband is actually the one who made me decide to start my own agency. He had told me many times that I should do this. I appreciate all his support. I don’t think most people really understand what I do, but it fulfills me, and I feel like I am right where I belong.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://devisetalentagency.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devisetalentagency/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-slay-95a2603/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devisetalentagency
- Other: https://pro.imdb.com/company/co0683794/
Image Credits
Nathan Wellman-Logo
