Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mallory Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Mallory thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

About seven years ago, I was an intern at the Grand Theatre in London, Ontario, Canada, where my main task was to write press releases. Being a naturally creative person, I had my fair share of hobbies on the side, including making silly YouTube videos featuring myself and my friends. Back then, the theatre had a pretty weak presence on social media and lacked original content. So, I decided to step in and asked if I could bring my camera along to create some videos of the actors for their social media platforms. To my surprise, they were more than happy to give me the green light, and that’s when I discovered a newfound passion I didn’t even know I had – turning my fun activities into a full-blown career.

Entrepreneurialism runs in my blood, thanks to my dad, who always had a fire in his belly for being his own boss and bringing his ideas to life. Once I felt confident enough in my skills, I knew I wanted to start my own freelance creative company on the side. While doing this, I kept myself fully engaged in creative work in London until a fantastic opportunity came knocking: a chance to work as a Digital Content Producer for The National Ballet of Canada. Moving to Toronto had always been a dream of mine, and with plenty of freelance gigs lined up in the city, it made sense to take the plunge after the pandemic and secure a stable full-time job. It just felt like the perfect move for me at the time.

When I sought advice from my mentor about the right time to transition from a part-time freelance venture to a full-time business, they shared an insightful perspective with me. They said that while you can never be completely certain, there tends to be a moment when you feel the closest you’ve ever been to knowing. In December 2022, that gut feeling struck me, and I knew that starting off in 2023 with my own business was the strongest inclination I had ever experienced. Trusting my instincts, I left the Ballet and embarked on a new year with my production company.

Making such a leap comes with its fair share of uncertainties. What if I encountered months without any projects? Most of my work revolves around the theatre industry, which primarily operates from September to April. I couldn’t help but worry about what the summer months would hold for me. However, I had to have faith in myself and believe that things would work out.

Now, after six months into this venture, I am pleasantly surprised to find myself swamped with more work than I could have imagined. It’s going incredibly well. All the clients I have collaborated with have fully embraced my increased availability and have even recommended me to others. Remarkably, I haven’t had to engage in any marketing efforts; the work keeps flowing in through repeat business and referrals. The connections I cultivated with my clients over the past seven years have proven to be crucial to my current success. I strongly believe that this line of work thrives on connections. It’s about being the kind of person others enjoy working with, someone reliable and dependable.

My most significant piece of advice is to invest in people. Always be aware of opportunities to foster connections. You never know who you might meet and the impact that connection could have in the future.

Furthermore, understanding your niche is of utmost importance. What makes you special? In my case, being a passionate theatre enthusiast, I noticed a significant gap in the industry for content creation in the performing arts. Recognizing this void, I leveraged my knowledge of the industry to fill it to the best of my abilities.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a 26-year-old creative based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I run my own production company specializing in content creation for performing arts organizations. I as well as a small team develop, film, edit, produce, and design content for mostly social platforms.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

There isn’t some magical shortcut to achieving success. It seems like everywhere you look, there are influencers, podcasts, and content promoting strict regimens promising success if you follow them diligently, from specific diets to early wake-up routines. However, the most valuable advice I can offer is not glamorous at all: work hard. Put in the effort when it’s necessary, even if it means working long days or putting in extra hours. That’s just a part of life. Seek balance where you can and make an effort to take care of yourself both mentally and physically. Remember, there’s no substitute for hard work and self-care.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

There’s an immense sense of fulfillment that comes with crafting content like trailers or promotional videos that truly capture the artistic vision of fellow creators. Working with a diverse range of artists and producing content to promote their shows brings about a sense of responsibility to authentically represent their art. When I succeed in achieving that, it’s an incredibly rewarding feeling.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mallorywashere.com
• Instagram: its.mallory.brown

Image Credits
Photo by Mallory Brown