Design, Drag & Doing the Bold Thing — with JONATHAN SOTTO of Yabu Pushelberg

This week on AVD Inspire, Aly Velji sits down with Jonathan Sotto — Director of Business Development at the Global Creative Design Studio Yabu Pushelberg — for a conversation that’s equal parts style, soul, and show-stopping resilience.

From cold-calling firms straight out of school to now leading business across Asia and the Americas, Jonathan shares the behind-the-scenes story of how grit, good timing, and knowing when to pivot shaped his two-decade journey in the world of design. The two dive into everything from imposter syndrome to the importance of feedback, what it's like to make bold career decisions, and why giving back to yourself matters just as much as giving your all.

Also on the table? RuPaul’s Drag Race, Beyoncé and how childhood experiences totally shape who you are today

Whether you’re in design or just designing your life, this one’s for you.

What We Cover:

• The Beyoncé tee moment and a designer friendship born in Vegas

• Growing up Filipino and dreaming of overcoming stereotypes

• Discovering design through Lego, grid paper, and career pivots

• Cold-calling firms in 2005 — and the hustle before LinkedIn

• Facing rejection and finally landing a job at Yabu Pushelberg

• Leaving a dream job to move abroad and grow personally

• What it means to “promote” design instead of “doing” design

• Navigating imposter syndrome and finding your voice