We recently connected with Lina Hagstrom and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
The story of my company Sunday Child Entertainment is personal, yet universal. It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to have my own production company, but I’ve always believed that the foundation of any business should be a solid idea. I didn’t want to just start a company – I wanted to build something with purpose.
Sunday Child Entertainment grew out of two passions: telling stories that matter and preserving the moments that define us. The production house side of the business focuses on creating indie comedies and dramas for global audiences. I’ve always felt there’s an appetite for movies about heroes who don’t wear capes – stories rooted in everyday lives, where the struggles, triumphs, and relationships feel real. There’s something transformative about watching a story on screen and thinking, “That could be me” or “I know someone like that.” These are the kinds of films I want to bring to life – cinematic experiences that feel intimate but resonate universally and take the viewer on an emotional journey.
On the other hand, our personalized biopic films are also very close to my heart. I’m originally from Finland but have spent the last 14 years living abroad, with the last decade in New York City. Being so far from my family has taught me to truly cherish the time we spend together and the memories we create. That’s what inspired me to create personalized biopics – high-quality, cinema-style films that allow anyone to preserve their story, their legacy, in a way that feels timeless. These are fully customizable films that transform someone’s life into a beautifully crafted movie. It’s such a powerful experience, and it brings me so much joy to see families, couples, and individuals watch their stories unfold on screen.
Ultimately, Sunday Child Entertainment is built on the belief that stories – whether fictional or personal – have the power to connect, entertain, and inspire. It’s not just about filling a gap in the market; it’s about offering people something meaningful, whether they’re escaping into a story or immortalizing their own.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Sure. Before launching Sunday Child Entertainment, I spent a decade working in branding and marketing, and the last seven years, I was at an AI company, helping some of the world’s biggest brands with digital marketing and creative production. I moved to New York to study film and media, and though I had this lifelong dream of working in film and perhaps have my own production company, I wanted to make sure I had gained some working experience before making the leap. When the time was right, I took the step of starting my own company.
Was it scary? Absolutely. Starting in a new industry comes with a lot of unknowns, but I’m a firm believer in creating my own opportunities and this felt like the right path for me. Since I took the leap of faith, I have been incredibly fortunate to partner with amazing and talented professionals in the film industry who’ve been so generous with their skills and knowledge.
At Sunday Child Entertainment, we offer two distinct but equally exciting services.
For global audiences: We focus on creating indie comedies and dramas with universal stories. We also provide film and video production services for brands – from ideation to the final film, we love collaborating closely with our clients to create visually compelling, emotionally resonant stories.
For consumers: We create personalized biopics – a service that’s incredibly close to my heart. These cinema-quality films allow individuals and families to immortalize their lives, memories, and milestones. Whether it’s celebrating a family legacy, honoring a professional journey, or capturing a life story, our biopics provide a true movie-star experience, with every detail tailored to the customer’s unique narrative.
What sets us apart is the level of care, quality, and emotion we pour into each project. I’m so proud of the trust our clients place in us to transform their stories into films. There’s no greater joy than meeting our customers, learning about their lives, and seeing the look on their faces when they watch the final product. It’s moments like these that remind me why I started this company in the first place.
At its core, Sunday Child Entertainment is about celebrating life’s stories – whether that’s through the lens of a fictional character, or someone’s real-life journey. It’s about creating films that resonate, connect, and inspire. If there’s one thing I’d want potential clients, followers, or fans to know, it’s that we’re not just creating films; we’re crafting experiences that last a lifetime.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
When it comes to managing a team and maintaining high morale, the key is trust and accountability. For me, it starts with one simple principle: don’t micromanage. You’ve hired your team for their expertise, so give them the autonomy to do what they do best. Nothing stifles creativity and confidence like constant oversight. Let your team shine in their roles – it leads to better outcomes.
Another crucial aspect is creating a culture where people aren’t afraid to make decisions. Fear-based environments lead to hesitation and missed opportunities. I encourage my team to take initiative, even if the results aren’t perfect. Mistakes are part of growth, and every failure is a chance to learn. I remind my team that we’re all in this together, and I’d much rather see them make bold choices than hold back out of fear of “getting it wrong.”
Equally important is taking responsibility as a leader. If something goes south, the responsibility is mine – period. It’s my job to have my team’s back and own the mistakes. On the flip side, when things go right (and they often do!), the credit belongs to the team. Their success is the ultimate reflection of strong leadership.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, care about your people – genuinely. Show them that they’re valued not just for what they contribute but for who they are. Celebrate their wins, check in with them personally, and make them feel seen and appreciated. High morale isn’t just about hitting targets; it’s about building trust, respect, and a sense of belonging. When you take care of your team, they’ll take care of everything else.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn – and I’m still a work in progress – is letting go of people-pleasing tendencies. For a long time, I believed it was easier to avoid conflict, keep the peace, and push through uncomfortable situations rather than speak up when something didn’t feel right. I thought that staying quiet and waiting for things to pass was the best solution.
But over time, I realized that pretending everything is okay when it isn’t doesn’t help anyone. In fact, it often makes things worse. Being honest about what isn’t working might feel uncomfortable in the moment, but it creates clarity and opens the door for solutions.
It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned that it’s better to address things head-on with kindness and honesty than to let resentment or misunderstandings build. It’s a mindset shift, and I’m still learning, but it’s been a game-changer in how I communicate and navigate challenges.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sundaychildfilm.com (coming soon!)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linamariaisabella/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linamariahagstr%C3%B6m/