#20: The Profitable Creative | A Live Panel On Pricing, Growth & Creative Success

#20: The Profitable Creative | A Live Panel On Pricing, Growth & Creative Success

#20: What does it really take to turn creativity into a sustainable, profitable career? In this panel episode, recorded live at The Good Vibe Studios, Carly sits down with three powerhouse creatives for a conversation about the realities of building a thriving creative business. From working for free and building portfolios from scratch to learning how to price yourself, protect your value, market your work, and survive slow seasons, this episode pulls back the curtain on the business side of being creative. Featuring: * Risa Kostis — Celebrity wardrobe stylist, bridal stylist, and founder of The Rescue Kit Company * Leila Parnian — Artist, DJ, and Owner of Parnian Furniture * Mark Cowart — Phoenix-based filmmaker, director, cinematographer, and editor Together, they unpack: * The truth about “overnight success” in creative industries * How to transition from passion projects to paid work * Knowing your worth and handling pricing negotiations * Why visibility and personal branding matter more than talent alone * Creative burnout, inspiration, and getting out of a rut * Financial mistakes creatives make early on * Building confidence in your craft and charging accordingly * Why networking and relationships are everything * Balancing artistic integrity with making money * Creating long-term sustainability as a creative entrepreneur This episode is for the creatives chasing big dreams, building something from nothing, learning their worth, and figuring out how to turn passion into a profitable, sustainable career without losing the spark that made them start in the first place. About Studio Sessions: Studio Sessions is a monthly live event hosted by The Good Vibe Studios, bringing together creatives, entrepreneurs, and industry experts for real conversations around creativity, business, and growth. For more information, visit www.thegoodvibestudios.com. To watch the show click HERE [https://www.youtube.com/@VDEOMKR] To connect with Risa Kostis click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/risakostis/] To connect with Leila Parnian click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/leilaparnian/] To connect with Mark Cowart click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/mark_cowart/] To connect with Carly Gilleland click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/carlygilleland/] To follow The Good Vibe Media click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/thegoodvibemedia/] To visit The Good Vibe Studios click HERE [https://www.thegoodvibestudios.com/] Produced by The Good Vibe Media [https://thegoodvibemedia.com/]

#19: Dani Dufresne On Scaling Creative Work Without Losing the Craft

#19: In this episode of VDEOMKR, we sit down with Dani Dufresne, an Emmy Award-winning executive producer and founder of The Auxiliary Co., for a conversation about the evolution of production, creative operations, agency culture, and building standout work in today’s rapidly shifting media landscape. From learning to edit on actual film strips to pioneering a fractional production model that helps agencies scale smarter, Dani shares lessons from more than 20 years in the industry. Together, Carly and Dani explore the realities of production, the misconceptions around “organic” content, why intentional planning still matters, and how lean creative teams are reshaping the agency world. They also dive into motherhood, delegation, burnout, creative leadership, saying no, SXSW energy, and why the future of creativity belongs to people who deeply understand the craft. What We Cover: *  Dani’s journey from film school to executive production  *  Why learning the fundamentals still matters in the age of AI  *  The biggest misconceptions about production & creative operations  *  The rise of fractional production teams  *  How smaller agencies can scale smarter  *  Why “organic content” still requires intentional planning  *  Delegation, leadership, and building strong creative teams  *  Motherhood, boundaries, and learning to say no  *  The future of storytelling, community, and creative work  *  Why young creatives should “learn it the hard way” first If you’re a filmmaker, producer, creative entrepreneur, agency owner, or someone building a creative business — this episode is packed with practical insight, perspective shifts, and honest conversation. To watch the show click HERE [https://www.youtube.com/@VDEOMKR] To connect with Dani Dufresne click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/sweetdmd/] To connect with The Auxilary Co click HERE [https://www.theauxiliaryco.com/] To connect with Carly Gilleland click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/carlygilleland/] To follow The Good Vibe Media click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/thegoodvibemedia/] To visit The Good Vibe Studios click HERE [https://www.thegoodvibestudios.com/] Produced by The Good Vibe Media [https://thegoodvibemedia.com/]

#18: David Navarrete On Storytelling, AI & Building Creative Community

#18: In this episode of VDEOMKR, we sit down with David Navarrete, founder of Moneta De Sine and co-founder of Arizona Filmmakers, for a deep conversation about storytelling, entrepreneurship, burnout, AI, and building a thriving creative community in Arizona. David shares his unexpected path from studying biology and pursuing neurosurgery to becoming a traveling filmmaker and creative entrepreneur. From working three jobs while building his production company to creating Arizona Filmmakers from scratch, this episode dives deep into what it really takes to pursue a creative career with purpose. They also unpack: - Why storytelling matters more than gear - The realities of burnout in production - Lessons learned from failed productions and client communication - How AI is changing the creative industry - The future of Arizona filmmakers and creative collaboration - David’s upcoming scripted entrepreneurial series, The Elevator Pitch This episode is packed with perspective, inspiration, and real behind-the-scenes insight for filmmakers, creators, and entrepreneurs alike. To watch the show click HERE [https://www.youtube.com/@VDEOMKR] To connect with David Navarrete click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/storytellerdaivd/] To connect with Arizona Filmmakers click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/arizonafilmmakers/] To connect with Carly Gilleland click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/carlygilleland/] To follow The Good Vibe Media click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/thegoodvibemedia/] To visit The Good Vibe Studios click HERE [https://www.thegoodvibestudios.com/] Produced by The Good Vibe Media [https://thegoodvibemedia.com/]

#17: Built By Mom | A Live Panel On Motherhood & Creative Entrepreneurship

#17: In this special Mother’s Day episode of VDEOMKR, Carly sits down live at The Good Vibe Studios with an incredible panel of women business owners, creatives, and moms for an honest conversation about motherhood and entrepreneurship. From burnout and boundaries to business growth, marriage, identity shifts, and learning how to ask for help — this episode dives deep into the raw, behind-the-scenes realities that rarely make it onto social media. Featuring: * Matiana Gregory — Founder + Chief Creative Officer of Dang Fine Rentals and mom of two. * Regina Steele — Integrative health coach, mom of three teenagers, and author of Mother Fcked*. * Jadyn Heck — Founder of JHMovement, former professional dancer, and mom of two. Together, they unpack: *  How motherhood changes your relationship with work  *  The sacrifices they’re no longer willing to make for success  *  Building support systems that actually work  *  Outsourcing guilt, laundry, and unrealistic expectations  *  The pressure of “doing it all”  *  Marriage, friendships, movement, and mental health  *  Navigating different seasons of motherhood  *  Why being “present” looks different for every mom  *  The truth about social media vs. reality  *  Advice for moms considering a second or third child  *  What they wish more women knew about entrepreneurship and parenting  This conversation is vulnerable, hilarious, emotional, and deeply validating for any mother trying to grow a business while raising a family. Whether you’re in the newborn trenches, managing teenagers, thinking about motherhood, building a company, or simply trying to keep up with life - this episode will remind you that you’re not alone. To watch the show click HERE [https://www.youtube.com/@VDEOMKR] To connect with Jadyn Heck click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/jadynheck/] To connect with Matiana George click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/matiana.dangfine/] To connect with Regina Steele click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/thereginasteele/] To connect with Carly Gilleland click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/carlygilleland/] To follow The Good Vibe Media click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/thegoodvibemedia/] To visit The Good Vibe Studios click HERE [https://www.thegoodvibestudios.com/] Produced by The Good Vibe Media [https://thegoodvibemedia.com/]

#16: Bella Hibbs On Casting, Building Community & Betting on Arizona's Film Scene

#16: This week on VDEOMKR, Carly sits down with Bella Hibbs, Owner and Casting Director at Good Faith Casting, for a conversation that goes way beyond auditions. We're talking 12+ years of casting experience, HBO pilots, Rob Schneider comedies, a conference empire she built because she refused to be made to feel like an outsider — and the real, unfiltered story of how she got here. What we cover: * How Bella literally grew up in casting — and the moment a bathroom break changed the trajectory of her career * The big misconception about casting directors (hint: they don't have the final say, and that's actually a good thing) * What Bella looks for in a self-tape and the #1 mistake actors make before they even walk in the room * Her hot take on the future of film — AI, vertical dramas, and why she believes audiences are craving authenticity over algorithm * The origin story of the Southwest Actor's Conference, now in its fifth year, born on a flight home with a glass of Chardonnay and a sister who said "then do your own event" * Why Arizona's film scene is heating up and what the state's tax incentive actually means for local talent and the economy * Bella's journey into therapy and EMDR and why she's talking about it openly * Her advice for creatives trying to break into the industry without sending a single "can I pick your brain?" email From building a business in Arizona’s growing film scene to hosting the Southwest Actor’s Conference, Bella offers a transparent, unfiltered look at the highs, pivots, and persistence it takes to succeed in the creative world. To watch the show click HERE [https://www.youtube.com/@VDEOMKR] To connect with Bella Hibbs click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/bellahibbs/] To connect with Good Faith Casting click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/goodfaithcasting/] To check out Southwest Actors Conference click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/swactorsconx/] To connect with Carly Gilleland click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/carlygilleland/] To follow The Good Vibe Media click HERE [https://www.instagram.com/thegoodvibemedia/] To visit The Good Vibe Studios click HERE [https://www.thegoodvibestudios.com/] Produced by The Good Vibe Media [https://thegoodvibemedia.com/]