Meet Andrea G. Preziotti, the Founder of Modern Vintage Ink, a brand messaging company for women-owned businesses and senior corporate leaders.
Andrea began her entrepreneurial journey as a creative experiment at the outset of her freelance writing career. Initially apprehensive about networking and client acquisition, she quickly discovered her strength lay in cultivating meaningful relationships—an important pillar of entrepreneurship. Founding Modern Vintage Ink was transformative, teaching Andrea to trust her instincts. Her company has not only provided a platform for her to discover her own voice, it also amplifies the voices of female leaders in business. For Andrea, the most fulfilling aspect of her work thus far lies in the collaborative growth and achievements of her clients.
We asked Andrea about the founding of Modern Vintage Ink, the lessons she’s learned and rewards she’s gained as an entrepreneur, and what’s next for her and her company.
Tell us the story behind your company’s founding. How and why did you start working on Modern Vintage Ink?
While I learned a great deal and enjoyed many aspects of my career in strategic communications, I always felt a yearning to do something more creative. In 2016, when the opportunity for a change appeared, I decided to take a leap of faith and pursue my passion for writing full time.
My initial freelance journey was one of experimentation and exploration. I said yes to everything, embracing the diversity of the projects and using each assignment as a creative launchpad to determine what made me come alive. As I connected with clients, a pattern began to emerge. I found myself inexplicably drawn to supporting and amplifying the voices of female leaders. I experienced deep fulfillment in partnering with women to develop content that achieves their goals and makes a powerful impact.
Today, I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the success of women business owners, entrepreneurs, and senior executives. I see myself as a co-creator in their journey. I offer my writing and marketing communication expertise to elevate their vision and influence within their industries. Witnessing their growth and accomplishments fueled by our collaboration is the most rewarding part of my work.
Did you always know that you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
No, not at all. I didn't think I could hack it. When I started as a freelancer, I dreaded cold calling to drum up business. I thought to myself more than once, “I cannot do this; it feels so disingenuous.” Then, I got my first client referral from someone I knew on Twitter, which was game changing for me. At that moment, I realized that entrepreneurship is about building and maintaining relationships, which is one of my superpowers.
What were the most difficult and most impactful lessons you’ve learned starting and running a company?
Learning to trust myself. Early on, I struggled with self-doubt, questioning my abilities and the value I offered to my clients. I knew my skills and services would be invaluable to executives and business owners who wanted to maintain credibility in their industry with high-quality content. And through helping women find their voice, I discovered my own. I learned to embrace the autonomy of being the woman in charge. I shed the need for constant external validation and tapped into my well of nearly two decades of learned experience. This self-work wasn't always easy, but it fostered a powerful intuition that guides me today.
What’s been the hardest and most rewarding part of your entrepreneurial journey?
Not having all the answers. In my previous career, I was at the hub of all information. As an entrepreneur, you don't know what you don't know, and that's okay. No one does. Relinquishing the need to know everything is liberating; it allows you more autonomy and control over your work. It also allows you to move at your own pace. When starting, it's easy to think your business will advance at the same speed as your contemporaries. But that's just not realistic. When you lean into the entrepreneurial journey with a curiosity for the unfamiliar, you can carve a path forward that is right for you. I relish experimenting and innovating to create my own life by design for success.
And through helping women find their voice, I discovered my own. I learned to embrace the autonomy of being the woman in charge. I shed the need for constant external validation.
In what ways has your upbringing or past experiences contributed to how you operate as an entrepreneur?
As a child, I had an innate curiosity and loved to read. Drawn to exploring different cultures and perspectives, I had friends from diverse backgrounds. This was an anomaly in the tight-knit Italian neighborhood where I grew up.
My parents were the first-generation children of immigrants. I remember quietly observing as they attempted to balance their hopes and dreams with their traditions and familial obligations. Ours was a loving home and they nurtured my creativity. Education was a priority, as was sending my brother and me to college. Back then, I was painfully shy and didn’t fully understand how important it was. However, my parents must have seen the potential of who I could be if removed from familiar surroundings.
I blossomed at university like a butterfly emerging from her cocoon. I thrived in social interactions, energized by meeting new people and experiences. During those years away, I came into my own, from resident assistant to class president—all unimaginable in high school. It awakened a yearning to step outside my comfort zone, something I’ve been cultivating ever since.
Entrepreneurship is an example of continuing that journey. As a seeker and extrovert, I've built a business and community model that engages people on a deeper level, essential for building trust and fostering long-term relationships.
What’s next for you and Modern Vintage Ink?
My company's ethos leverages collaborative storytelling's power to amplify women's voices. I'm excited to enhance my current offering by elevating strategic guidance, creative brainstorming, and coaching mentorship to empower others to develop their content-creation skills. Personally, I always intended to share my experiences and insights as a blueprint to inspire other women, Gen X in particular. I want to create something new and impactful, whether a book, a series of talks, or even a podcast.
