TABIA YAPP

Agent; Founder
BEOTIS
hello@beotis.com

Interview

• Where are you originally from?

  Omaha, NE

• Where do you currently reside?

  Los Angeles, CA

• What prompted you to get into the sports/entertainment industry?

  I moved to LA after graduation to work for CAA (with the secret hope of becoming a voice over star some day - fun fact: I landed my first and only v/o gig in 2014 cast as a curious cat for an educational app). I worked in CAA’s global brands group for about 2 years then moved over to Fred Segal corporate as their brand operations manager. While working both of those jobs, I discovered how much I actually enjoyed the business side of the arts, but felt there was a gap in resources and representation for emerging talent of color. So in 2015, I signed my first client Danez Smith and started Beotis as a boutique agency that reps artists and speakers of color.

• Please outline the services you provide for clients and any specialties.

  Beotis currently has 4 divisions: speaking, literary, creative consulting for film/tv, and brand partnerships. For most of the artists, I was the first person to join their team, so my day-to-day work falls somewhere between an agent and manager. I’m there as a thought partner, helping them to contextualize opportunities, build out their team, make early stage career decisions, and generate income along the way.

• What type of clients do you typically represent? What factors do you consider when deciding which clients to take on?

  I’m most excited by multi-hyphenate creatives of color who are polished, perceptive, and precise communicators. All of our artists care deeply about community. I’m super proud of the work they’re creating and who they are beyond their art. I’m a total fangirl of all of them, but they appreciate my team’s work just as vigorously. That reciprocity of respect and care goes a long way.

• What is one thing people would be surprised to know about your profession? What is one of the biggest misconceptions?

  I think there’s a widespread perception of agencies as transactional entities, but I’ve really tried to move away from that with Beotis. Yes, we believe in securing the bag and we care about the quality of work, but we care about the person just as fiercely.

• What are some challenges or obstacles you have faced as an African-American in this profession?

  Having worked previously in professional spaces where most of the leadership was male and white, I’ve experienced how stagnant and exhausting and even toxic a workplace can become without diverse voices in the room. It was important to me when starting Beotis to be intentional about who we represented and the agency team. I’m so delighted to have an all WOC staff and love that Beotis exists to amplify artists of color.

• What do you think can be done to improve diversity with regards to representation?

  Diversity of thought and experience is important and good for business! Paid internships improve accessibility and curb the cycle of privilege, so we need more of that. I’d also like to see those in leadership and the industry gatekeepers expected to routinely evaluate their (eco)systems and then revise to produce greater outcomes of inclusivity. I try my best to maintain this consciousness - taking a good look at the various spaces I’m in or creating and asking: who’s not in this room?

• What advice would you have for other African-Americans looking to enter this profession?

  Working a lot can be exhausting, so if you have the means, I try to encourage all my people to find a therapist. Balancing a 9-5 with personal projects or starting a company or taking care of family or having a social life can cause a person to spiral into an unhealthy version of themselves. Therapy and community can help maintain balance and clarity around what is important. Even if you're in a solid place, I'd still recommend a therapist, because that support is for when times are rough and also when times are good.

• What is the best way for people to get in touch with you?

  Website: beotis.com IG/Twitter: @beotiscreative @tabiayapp Email: hello@beotis.com