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

Alright, Storyboard thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?

Tish Campbell – For me it’s two things – not trying to go it alone and making sure I have the right team members at my side. There’s no one experience in my past that taught me this lesson, rather many. I’ve owned two previous businesses – one where I was 100% solo and did everything myself. Long story short, I ended up completely burning out, though I did learn how to manage all aspects of business from product creation, to sales and marketing, to finance, and everything else that comes with a small business. After I shuttered that business I partnered with someone else and we worked together for 10 years and built up the company from a basement business to one that employed about a dozen people. Although we did well and I enjoyed the experience, I never felt the share of work we both put into the company was equal. From that experience I learned it is important to have the right partner, someone with whom you have a similar vision and someone who is willing to roll up their sleeves, put an equal amount of effort in, and learn and grow even if it’s sometimes uncomfortable.

Amber Havens – I was given invaluable advice at a young age: to experience and understand every aspect of the business. Looking back, I can honestly say it was the best lesson I could have learned. Over the years, I’ve worked in various roles across the industry—from being a film and television extra on set and running lights and handling props for shows, to simply checking models in for auditions and ushering at premieres. I’ve also served as a PA, an assistant, a print agent, and now, I’m proud to be a co-founder of a casting company. Through these diverse experiences, I’ve gained a deep understanding of what each position entails and the unique demands of every role. This comprehensive knowledge has made me a more effective team leader and a stronger business owner.

Storyboard, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Tish Campbell – I’ve always worked within the creative industry in some manner, either as a creator myself, or in arts education. I got into casting in 2009, right after completing my graduate level studies at University of San Francisco. The economy had just tanked, I was with a company that merged with another, and operations at my level in the organization moved to NYC so I was out of a job. A friend owned a talent agency and reached out to ask me if I would come in and consult on a business expansion idea she wanted to investigate. We went through the discovery process and she determined it wasn’t something she wanted to undertake. At the same time her agency got really busy and she asked if I wanted to freelance and help with live castings. The rest is history.

Amber Havens – I’ve been deeply involved in the industry for as long as I can remember. From a young age, I was drawn to the world of entertainment and talent, and I’ve been fortunate to experience almost every side of it living in both Los Angeles and San Francisco. These experiences gave me a comprehensive understanding of the business from the ground up.

At Storyboard Casting, we offer comprehensive casting services for lifestyle and commercial advertising, collaborating with photographers, producers, and in-house teams on both print and video projects We are committed to building strong relationships between talent and our clients, ensuring that every project is met with professionalism, creativity, and a deep understanding of the human side of the work. What sets us apart is our emphasis on community-building—both within our team and with the talent and clients we work with. We believe in creating a collaborative, transparent environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

What I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built, not just in terms of business, but in creating lasting relationships where people feel like they are part of something bigger than just a job. I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that we are passionate about the work we do. We aren’t just here to cast talent; we are here to bring the right people together, solve challenges, and elevate every project we touch. Our unique blend of dependability, strong teamwork, and a human-centered approach to business is what makes us stand out and what I hope people will come to know and trust about our brand.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Tish Campbell – In the end it’s about being a good team member and demonstrating we’re invested in the success of a project. There are a lot of layers to this! In our role, it means considering and balancing the needs and expectations of everyone involved – the advertising client, their creative team, the production crew, the talent, and the talent agents. We put our full effort in and people who have worked with that know they can rely on us.

Amber Havens – I believe my reputation within the market has been built on dependability, understanding, and a strong sense of teamwork. We place a high value on community building and foster a collaborative environment. When a team works cohesively, with the ability to adapt and pivot to the specific needs of each project, it naturally leads to strong, long-lasting relationships. It’s these relationships that have helped establish trust and credibility in the industry.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Tish Campbell – We worked at a talent agency together in the SF Bay Area. I originally worked at this company from 2009 through 2012, then left and went to work at an art and design university on the east coast until 2020 when the pandemic hit and they laid off many people, me included. It was soon after that when the owner of the talent agency in SF reached out to me and asked me to come back to work (remotely) for her company. That’s when I met Amber. We worked remotely together there for a year, I from Austin/Atlanta, and Amber from LA/ SF before we left and started Storyboard Casting.

Now, here’s the fun fact – because we work remotely, Amber and I have been calling each other or meeting by video for three years. We started our business together two years ago, but it was only just in March of this year that we met in person! We had only ever seen each other from the shoulders up in video calls. When we met for the first time Amber said “you have legs!”

Amber Havens – I met my business partner, Tish, during a challenging time. In the midst of COVID, I found myself running the talent agency I worked for on my own after layoffs. By 2022, as the business started to pick up, I realized I needed a partner and a lifeline to help manage the growing demands. That’s when Tish was (re)hired to work remotely for the company, and from the moment we began collaborating, I knew she was someone I could trust, value, and truly enjoy working with. We each bring our unique strengths and perspectives to the table, which makes our partnership incredibly strong and dynamic. When the agency shut down in 2023, we recognized that we not only had a special bond but also a shared passion and drive for this industry. That’s when we decided to take the leap together and start Storyboard Casting.

Running a business with someone you’ve only known virtually might sound crazy, but it never fazed either of us. When we finally met in person this year, it felt like reuniting with a lifelong friend. We probably spent the first 10 minutes hugging and jumping up and down in pure excitement!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://storyboardcasting.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyboard_casting/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/storyboard-casting-llc/?viewAsMember=true

Image Credits

AARP | Nicole Morrison
California Department of Public Health | Thompson Homonnay
Patz & Hall | Alexander Rubin
Reynolds Wrap | Mariel De La Cruz