Breakout: Asa Rice

Sprayground bag and model

Where were you before Sprayground?
I was …a part-time brand ambassador for Adidas along with about 10 others, working just a few hours a week visiting accounts around the Twin Cities. Reliability became by biggest asset. As other brand ambassadors fell off, I would pick up all of their hours and, before I knew it, I was the go-to guy in my region.

But, Minneapolis is a small market with limited growth potential, so I decided to move to Los Angeles. Once in LA, I held a variety of different marketing positions, mostly focused on special projects for the company. After four years there, my boss offered me a regional visual merchandiser role in Florida — a position I held for two years.

Why’d you leave?
I loved working for Adidas, but I had my own dreams to pursue. I had always wanted to live in NYC and swim with the big fish. After a few failed attempts to transfer to NYC with Adidas, I decided that I would have to take my future into my own hands.

What did your family say?
My family and friends were supportive of my decision. I think the fact that I excelled at every task Adidas put in front of me gave my family the confidence to know that I would do well in the next phase of my life.

What was your biggest fear about leaving?
Moving to NYC with no job.

We can definitely relate to that! What’s been you’re biggest reward since the move?
The biggest reward has been working with two of the hottest emerging brands in the US. and being an integral part of two great teams, Sprayground and Coco & Breezy.