We often hear about bad bosses, but we think it’s important to talk about the good ones because we hope that by giving folks examples of how to be a good boss we can inspire future bosses to be better, to do better for their employees and all stakeholders.

Schakara Arrazola-Tiscareno

Brent Seebohm was such an incredible boss, that I have not been able to work for anyone but myself after him.
That’s the biggest compliment, he is such an impactful being. Brent was my mentor, leader and friend for many years in life. I learned so much from him while managing under him, not only about business but also about myself. Read more>>

Erin Scott

Clay was the best boss I’ve ever had not just because of how he lead when I was on the team, but even more because of how he was when I left the company. Clay was my boss at my last job just prior to venturing out solo to start my own business. I could say A LOT about why he was a great boss. And, to be clear, he was not perfect (he would be the first to say this). But the overarching thing that made him an incredible boss was that he held everything with an open hand. If there was a person he was connected to – he’s happy to make an introduction. If a decision was made – he’s open to hearing my point of view if I want to push back on it. If anyone in the company had questions about leadership structure/financials/future planning/whatever – he would sit down and talk it through with them. Nothing was off the table and that transparency was contagious throughout the company. So when I started thinking about leaving to start my own business, it was a no-brainer to talk openly about that with Clay. And to no surprise, he reacted in the same open-handed, transparent way he always had. Before I divulge all the details of how he set me up for success, you should know a bit more context about a few things: Read more>>

Jana Bunge

Oh yes! I worked for a production company for 13 years and had an amazing boss/mentor. I was originally hired as a makeup/hair artist to work on commercial/video projects for local/regional and national campaigns. What began as a work project developed into my learning much more about the industry as a whole. I was part of an integral team of creative artists, both actors and behind the scenes/tech – all masters at their craft. I learned so much over those years working beside each one and developed long lasting friendships as well. My boss/mentor taught me to “think outside the box”, and I was able to train and learn other aspects of production that I’ve used many times over the years! Assisting in the edit bay during video edits, learning to work/run a teleprompter, handling wardrobe and props, even doing voice over work – being stretched and learning new things early in my career was an encouragement to me that I could tackle and succeed in anything that I put my mind to! Read more>>

Shastan Kuschke

One of the most impressionable, important, memorable lessons I have learned from a great leader in my past is the impact of valuing the person. Above all else, when we value the people who work for us, work with us, and in turn – their families – people work harder and with passion. Read more>>

Shel & Henry Mountain

Both Henry and I have one person who has really stood out in each of our careers, so I’ll share a small highlight of each.

For me, that person was Samara Gee while I was working at Stitch Fix. There are many reasons why I looked up to her and continue to do so, but what stuck with me was her genuine dedication to make a personal connection with every individual on her team, no matter what level they were. For people’s birthdays, she would bring a small gift and each and every one of those gifts was extremely catered to that person. It was like she had a mental record of every obscure thing people had mentioned in passing or at a company outing like, “I love gnomes” or “my first concert was Spice Girls”. Her attentiveness and personalized approach made everyone feel seen, appreciated, and integral to the team’s success. Read more>>

Clare Behringer

I have two incredible people who helped me become the person I am today.

In 2017, I decided to pursue my masters in business. As part of the program’s curriculum, I was introduced to a mentor, and therefore the film industry. I have always had an interest in film — it is one of the only careers where any perspective is welcome. By the end of my education, my mentor and I had spoken for hours about everything from dogs to schooling, to television, film, and more. At the end of my education, he offered me a job at his company based in Charleston, SC — my hometown. Throughout my career there, I was given so many incredible opportunities as a green professional in the complex entertainment landscape. My mentor has had a profound impact on me and who I am today. The first time I met him, I was a less confident, less experienced person. Through his mentorship, he gave me invaluable insight into not only the industry but also into myself and what kind of leader I want to be. He continually inspires me to find the positive, to reach beyond my comfort zone, and to stay accountable for my actions and level of success. Above all, he taught me the importance of taking a chance on people and paying opportunities forward. Read more>>

Laura Becker

Absolutely! Mike Martin. Mike was the man that started FSG Tattoo (Flesh Skin Grafix) 30 years ago up until his passing in 2019 and I was lucky to work with him for 10 years. He was such a funny, kind and honest leader and he really cared for his family, friends and anyone he would tattoo. Mike definitely changed my life, I came to him right out of my apprenticeship and he let me guest spot while one of his artists was traveling and I’ve been at FSG ever since. He taught me so much about tattooing and the business behind it, he encouraged me to branch out with my tattoos, try new things and he would always be my guinea pig for those new ventures. After he passed way, we worked with his wife Gale to continue to keep his legacy alive and we will continue to do it for another 30 years. Read more>>