Looking for Work!

I’m on the hunt for entry-level marketing opportunities where I can help create meaningful encounters between people and organizations — and learn the ropes of marketing and communications along the way! Here’s some of what I bring to the table.

Ant & Tortoise is a dream in the making, but I can’t make it happen on my own. I still have a lot to do and a lot to learn — and you could help me! If you would like to partner with me or support me along this journey of mine: Here’s different ways you can help!

Hi, there!

My name is Agustin Fajardo, but I like to go by Augy!

I’m a storyteller, community-builder, writer, teacher, and mentor. But more importantly, I’m a lover of people.

I’ve spent the last decade working with people in a plethora of industries and a variety of organizations, and in those ten years I’ve discovered that my greatest passion and superpower is connecting with people. Everything I do seeks to create meaningful relationships with people to help improve their lives, regardless of whether I’m welcoming guests to a restaurant, leading a team of analysts, or helping high school seniors write their college essays. And for me, that connection is all about hearing and telling stories.

Stories are so much a part of my memory. I remember sitting on my dad’s lap, or in my great-grandparents’ living room, or the dinner table, or the passenger seat of my best friend’s sedan, and I remember stories, stories, and more stories. Listening to them and sharing them amongst family and friends has always been such a normal part of my life, and when I look back I can see that connecting through our stories brought so much beauty and richness to my life.

Yet, a few years ago I started realizing that these connection-creating stories existed in more places than merely the memories of my personal life. All around me I could see that so much value had been added to my life over the years by the connection-creating stories that companies and organizations had been telling. I saw how companies like Duolingo, Substack, Southwest Airlines, or even Costco and Trader Joe’s had beautifully use their stories to become such meaningful parts of my own life.

Then suddenly, I realized that this was something I could be a part of. I could help create these same meaningful encounters between people and organizations by entering the world of marketing & communications. This is where my vision for Ant & Tortoise was born: from the thought that I too could enrich people’s lives through my love of stories, of writing, and my artistic creativity. I want to learn how to create content and offer services that share meaningful stories and create meaningful connections, meeting people where they’re at to enrich their lives — just like I’ve seen so many companies and organization do that for me.

And while it would be easy to get ahead of myself, I recognize that fulfilling that vision will take more than just dreaming. There’s a lot of work to be done! But I know there’s people out there who can help – and would want to help! I am certain of it. I see all around me that there are individuals and organizations who share my love for people and vision for telling beautiful stories…And if that’s you, let’s chat!

Whether it’s a job where I can learn the ropes of marketing and communications, a professional connection, or just a friendly conversation between two people-loving communicators, I’d love to connect with you!

We could be a great match if…

You’re looking for :

  • I am quite literally an inexhaustible fount of questions, and its because I have an insatiable desire to learn. I love the wonder of exploring new ideas or diving deep into old ones, and I quite agree with Chesterton’s proposition that there’s no such things as uninteresting things, just un-interested people.

    Quality marketing starts with asking questions — good questions. Give me chance, and I’ll add my share (and then some) of questions to drive greater understanding that lead to greater results.

  • Finding, gathering, and analyzing ungodly amounts of information with a cup-o-joe is my idea of a fun day, no matter how complex or daunting the ideas may be. I only ever see an invigorating challenge to think deeply and creatively. But the measure of a truly superb intellect is not in quantity or quality of information gathered — it is in the quality and quality of questions asked.

    Fueled by my insatiable curiosity, I have an ability to gather and analyze data and information with excellence — because the best questions give us the best answers. Give me a chance, and I can help find the answers no one was looking for.

  • I have a very solid foundation in art & design after my 6+ years of visual arts education (drawing, painting, ceramic art, printmaking, sculpting, and more). But creativity is more than artistry: It is about the ability to encounter dilemmas and think, approach, or resolve them in diverse, innovative ways. My artistry aids my creativity, but so do my other diverse interests, skillsets, and experiences: theology, chess, philosophy of education; I’m bilingual and bicultural, was a multi-sport athlete, and am (according to a co-worker) a ‘quintessential literary mind.’

    If I join your team, I can help you find innovative solutions, whether it’s by capitalizing on untapped potential or challenging industry standards and the status quo.

  • I don’t need hand holding or a step-by-step manual to get going. Given clear expectations, quality resources, and a dependable, empathetic team to answer questions and help me along, I’ll be on my way to procuring good work in no time. Don’t get me wrong, I won’t turn down more help or detailed directives! I do my best work with both of those, but I can do my share of heavy lifting too — and help others with there heavy lifting if I see an opportunity to.

    Ant & Tortoise is proof of this. It was an idea, then a dream, and now a goal I’m working towards in real time as I plan and work hard to chart a path toward success. I’m also working through Comprehensive Copywriting Academy’s program (link) and two marketing courses through HubSpot, and I have been intentionally writing on Substack (link) for several years to develop and fine-tune my voice and writing skills. And most recently, it is serves to apply the copywriting and marketing principles I’m learning too!)

  • I’m a lover of people, and I love to see other people flourish and shine.

    Since my teenage years I’ve dedicated most of my life to learning how to work empathetically and effectively with people. I have a high EQ (emotional-quotient), fine-tuned interpersonal skills, and a sometimes uncanny ability to connect with people. This helps me to create huge impact and also bring out the best in those around me.

    If you hire me, I won’t just ‘work well’ with the team — I’ll help my colleagues thrive and make the whole team better. Additionally, I will always bring fresh and perceptive insights about the people we’re marketing to.

You can offer me :

  • I’m looking for a job!

    I would love any chance at an entry-level marketing & communications job where I can learn the ropes of the industry. I believe I have what it takes to thrive in this industry, but have a lot to learn, so I need the experience, and for that I need an opportunity!

    If you have an one that might fit the bill, let’s chat!

  • Getting salaried up would be amazing, but a job opportunity is not the only way to help me along in this journey. If you know someone who would enjoy hearing about my vision for A&T, or who could help me find a job, or maybe you know of a role that you could connect me to, — lets chat!

    If you’re not sure about my interest in the particular person or role you have in mind, just reach out, and I’ll let you know if it’ll be worth it. And even if it’s not a great fit, I’ll be grateful that you took the time to think of me and reach out!

  • You don’t have to look very far to find something that could be of immense benefit to me. Just look in the mirror :)

    I love talking with people, and I especially love talking to people with a shared vision or shared passions for the things I love: people, beauty, art, storytelling, specialty coffee, craft beer, theology, chess and more! It doesn’t have to all be talking shop!

    Everyone has experiences and lessons that I can learn from, and if you think you might have some nuggets of wisdom you’d like to pass along, or you just want to get to know me, I’d love to talk!

  • Maybe you want to support me financially somehow. Maybe you like reading and writing. If that’s you, check out my Substack publication, Catch Me If You Can. Beyond writing, the goal of the publication is to foster a community of stillness and rest, healing and wholeness where we can all remember together what it means to be human.

    If it seems like your cup of tea, you can subscribe for free, and you can pledge a future paid subscription. Either one is greatly appreciated!

  • Money is probably the thing I least expect from anyone, but if investing financially is what comes to mind when you think of supporting me, I would be so grateful for that! You can reach out to me via email (or by phone if you know me personally) to discuss this option.

    There’s a running list of costs and purchases — big, small, and in between — that you could contribute to if that’s your heart’s desire. Examples include but aren’t limited to:

    • Refurbished iPad + Apple Pencil

    • Procreate

    • Marketing Programs or Certification courses

    • $3-4 daily expense for working at a local coffee shop