We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Keila Alvarado a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Keila, thanks for joining us today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made?

Hi, there! The best investments I have made as a business owner starts from taking my passions and hobbies: including writing about film / Television, covering red carpets / VIP events, and hosting internal or sharing external events-to making them, on a professional level, a business, while building audience, clientele, as well as monetizing occasionally on services rendered. In the past, I worked on some jobs that were not compensating and not interesting enough for me, while on the side I would volunteer because I have the heart to continue helping people. But when I realized that my extensive hours of labor and volunteer work were not paying off in maximized way, I decided to take matters into my own hands and invested hundreds, from savings, despite past lay-offs and some pay gaps, to became a Servant Leader, and write /direct /produce a short film, The Surprise Announcement, while spotlighting in ending credits the diverse production team that made it happen, resulting in an award-winning flick that is on IMDb. In addition, I decided, despite a tight budget, to form an LLC (limited liability company), Flamingle Entertainment, my best investment-in representing my brand-to entertain audiences with film / fashion / sports / VIP event coverage and to host or promote ticketed events. That allows me to spotlight others as well as entertain others, and on the occasions that there are profits, I give back, through time or money to non-profits or charities. Those investments paid off because as of recent, I interview celebrities / fellow Artists / business professionals / everyday people-making a difference, and when not covering a red carpet or special event: I take the time to, (for example), do an event, where a donation goes to Latinos in Film & Entertainment, a non-profit.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Currently, a versatile Writer, Journalist, Film Director, Producer, Aspiring Actor, Event Guru, Mentor, and Business Owner: I have come a long way from being a shy and bullied young girl from Uptown Manhattan-who expressed myself (privately) before-through writing, song and fashion designing.

I got into the industries of events and film, being born on the eventful day of Halloween, a festive day where I, along with the rest of the world, have a chance to choose, as examples, to get creative with festive costumes and see scary movies -but instead of being a follower- at young adult age, grew to lead small groups of others, heading or hosting parties, and sharing my fictional fantasy stories to those lending ears. And while making a living to pay bills through jobs in different industries, over the years, wasn’t satisfying enough to match those past-times; I always strived to work on creating content or events on the side.

The solution was to convert my hobbies and passions into business. Flamingle Entertainment, LLC provides creative content for diverse audiences, press /media coverage for red carpet / VIP / special events, entertainment through occasional ticketed events, film production for select projects, and screenwriting / film critic writing services, with the options of bilingual (English and Spanish) communication, and cross-functional collaboration with other companies to become potential partners.

As examples, when clients want to attend or watch entertaining events, either in the Greater NY area or virtually, but don’t know where to go, they contact me. Through contact or following our social media accounts, they get access to red carpet / VIP / special events. Or when film studios / festivals / businesses need promotion / publicity / good coverage for their films / brands / product launches: a growing number welcome me and my team to spotlight and cover the events. Flamingle Entertainment LLC is not accepting solicitations as this time but there has been the problem of creators lacking writers for publishing and we handle that on a project-to-project basis too. What sets Flamingle Entertainment LLC apart from others is that it is independent work not directly tied to any media or discipline and are not limited to one venue. So, we reach diverse audiences and spotlight different people at various types of events, from around the world.

What I am most proud of, in terms of being a Creative Entrepreneur, is that I get to do what Iove: which is entertain people to bring smiles on their faces, and either give spotlight to those who give back, or give back myself, through donations of time /money / mentorship.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

If you don’t take it from me, look it up online: I did the best move (solo), which was to save money-over a period of time, build an audience, as well as build my brand, all by myself, without depending on anyone, instead of alternatively borrowing money or getting a loan-all to register, start, and launch my business. It was rewarding to open up my business without owing anyone. But if you have limited resources and can’t save up the hundreds to thousands it takes to initially start then-later run your business: I have seen small business grant programs, small business award competitions, venture capital investments, small business loans, and more, to be options for others.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The are many resources in this new age of innovative technology to learn about business but three books that made an impact on me include The Holy Bible, The Servant Leader by James Autry, and the 11 Pillars of Confidence: Build & Lead an Empowered YOU, by Arthur J Rutledge. Those three books, among many others, helped inspire my ideals of positivity, entrepreneurial thinking, confidence, and more.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flamingleentertainment.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flamingleentertainment/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ka1stplace/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlamingleEnt
• Other: linkedin.com/company/flamingleentertainment/

  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12740148/

Image Credits

@FlamingleEntertainment could be given the image credits