Meet Elizabeth Simmons | Executive Producer & Agency Owner

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

Hi Elizabeth, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Wilde Management started as an idea about 10 years ago when I was a freelance Producer in the San Francisco Bay Area. I had always wanted to have an artist management agency and production house that broke industry barriers by promoting a diverse roster of artist and business owners. Ten years later and after moving back to my hometown of Los Angeles the idea came to life. As a Producer, I had always been a connector of pairing artists with clients for jobs in both San Francisco and Los Angeles. It came naturally to me and I enjoyed helping out the creatives in my industry.

In 2021, I decided to leave my full time work and make a production company that also represents artists. I had a strong belief in wanting to change the way artists are represented. Two ways was by giving them back the power in the rates they make and jobs they take. In the beginning, I would take a lower fee from them than the normal 20% agents take. Two years later, my relationship with the artists on Wilde’s board has changed to an open contract meaning whatever work they get on their own does not need to come through the agency. In addition, for jobs Wilde gets the artist, we would only take an agency fee from the client, while the full amount goes directly to the artist. In regards to the production side of Wilde, the clientele ranges from beauty, fashion, commercial and films. We are expanding productions into Europe this coming year and will focus on high fashion, tv shows and films.

What should our readers know about your business?
The biggest lesson I have learned through the process of starting a business is having self confidence in your skills and risk taking is necessary. These concepts were not easy for me in the beginning. Starting a business is like chewing glass. Its making sure you are always moving forward even through you know failure is trailing you at every step of the way.

There have been many lessons learned throughout this process such as the first time you pay an artist, the first time you files taxes and having to send out 1099s. The “what if’s” come in strong.. “What if that email was too harsh and I lose the client?…What if the rate too high or too low?… What if this doesn’t work?… What if I kept my full time job?” Trusting one’s gut is the best way to move forward, however it takes time.

The biggest risks I have taken in life is moving to the Bay Area to go to UC Berkeley, choosing a career in the creative field as a freelancer, starting Wilde Management and my latest is expanding productions into Europe this year. I know through these risks, who I am as a person developed and with each risk/challenge I continue to open myself up to positive growth.

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?
Day 1: Westside Itinerary

Coffee and Pastries at Tartine in Santa Monica
Bike ride along the boardwalk from Santa Monica through Venice
Lunch at Great White
Hit Up Abbot Kinney and the Culver City Platform for shopping
Cocktails at Margot
Dinner at Bianca

Day 2: Hollywood Itinerary

Hike Will Rodgers Trail
Coffee/Breakfast at Good Boy Bob
Visit a Museum – Getty or LACMA
Lunch at République Restaurant
Shopping on Melrose
Dinner at Bacari Silverlake
Night Cap at Bar Lis

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 would love to give a shout out to all of those artists/creators who allowed me to represent them in the beginning stages of Wilde. Their trust in me and my vision was the encouragement needed to continue on during the challenging stages of starting a business. Also would love to thank all the clients over the years for their loyalty.

Website: www.wildemgmt.com

Instagram: @elizabethesimmons ; @wilde_mgmt

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-simmons-64623a25/