Women Led Production Companies

 I'm sitting down with the three founders of flow state films, a women owned 

own film company based in the Washington DC 

that brings mindful 

mindful storytelling to independent films, as well as branded videos for 

universities, and 

and nonprofits 

flow state uses visual storytelling to examine complex social and global issues and has produced many award-winning.

As a mission-driven full service production company today, we're going to learn more about flow state film's journey, their services, and some of their work from its three incredible founders. Welcome ladies, and thank you for joining us on the podcast.

Thank

you for having us.

So you're each super accomplished and interesting women in your own rights. And I encourage listeners to learn more about each of you, but since this is a 

is a conversation, that's like a profile of flow state, 

let's start off by quickly introducing each of you and letting everyone know 

know 

your main role in 

role in the 

And that way 

that way listeners also get to know whose voice 

So, maybe we can start with the we'll start. We'll do it in the order that you all joined the 

conversation 

Okay.

My name is Rochelle Shapiro. I am one of the co-founders of flow state films. I primarily do producing, directing and writing for the projects that we work on. 

name is Leila causal, I Stuart, and I'm also one of the co-founders of flow state. And I'm generally a, an editor for the company. But in newly minted directors as well. So 

Awesome 

in roles a little bit.

And I'm Kylie  and also co-founder and former whiff intern, I want to say. So I've been a long time fan of women in film, but. I also do directing and producing and writing. And as the resident extrovert, I do some business development type work as well. I would say

Wonderful. Well welcome. So as we can sort of get a sense already, you're all super accomplished individually. So when did you decide to team up and create flow state films? Like when was the company born?

I guess I'll take that one. This is Rochelle. So we all met at a production company years ago, I think maybe 15 years ago at this point, 16 years ago. When we were in our twenties and we all met, became friends and at that time had this idea. That it would be great to one day on her own production company and work together.

And it was a dream at the time and we didn't know if it would be able to come to fruition, but. Years past, we sort of went our different ways left. The companies did our own thing, did different things. And then in 2015, the stars aligned. We had remained friends all those years  it was the right time and we decided to.

Come together and create flow state. We knew we wanted to together to create a company that fit our sort of our lifestyles, our values, and do work that we really cared about. And

Yeah.

that started in 2015. 

what was the inspiration or rationale behind the name flow state? Was it easy for you all to agree on that right away?

 So we had a hard time thinking up a name. It took us a while. So I think we brainstormed for a while. We actually took almost a full year to really develop the business model of flow state. And what our brand messaging,  would be what types of clients did we think we would align best with. And,  the concept of flow state really comes out of this feeling of being fully immersed in your work being challenged, but feeling that you're performing at a high level. And I think that's something that. We all, in, especially in a creative field, you want that feeling. You want to do your work, but you want to feel almost like time is just, nothing and you're just enjoying it, but it's hard enough that you're getting pushed.

you all have experience with writing, producing, directing all the different avenues of things. How do your different strengths and styles mesh do you find it's very complimentary.

 I think it's very complimentary, I think we all, I think first and foremost, we all respect each other and liked each other. And so that makes for a very collaborative working relationship. And I think our skills. Also compliment each other. So, we're able to, add our voices and input on projects and collaborate in meaningful ways.

And in areas where, 

know for example, know as a first time director, I 

like I've learned quite a bit from Kylie and 

Rochelle, 

in terms of directing and producing and They were 

were able working 

and personal relationship with 

them able 

kind of boost 

my own 

and the field and which has been great.

I think we learn from each other, we 

and we compliment 

each other and I think that's why our working relationship has proven success.



I would just add to that too. I think one thing that has been important for the three of us is that we talk about our skillsets and our differences, and we're very intentional about kind of understanding, again, who is extroverted, who's introverted, who prepares this way, how do we review scripts together?

How do we share feedback? And I think we've over time really learned how to collaborate best with each other's like styles too.

Yeah. So do you all three work on each project together? Or is it some combination thereof? Like how often, or when are you working together in an, in what common.

We always try to collaborate on every project together in some capacity.

It doesn't always work out that we can all be working on a project together at the same time, depending on how many projects we've got going on and our schedules and things like that. But we Are there for each other and in creative ways and also in just administrative ways.

So, if there is, if I'm working on something and I just can't sort of break through that story, I can't quite figure it out. I can easily go to Kylie and the Ola and we can talk about it and figure things out and brainstorm. 

You have a very well-oiled machine. It seems like. So, what was one of the first major projects that let you know that flow state was going to be a success? So like, do you have a memory of when you felt like you were no longer just starting as a company and more like reached a stable and productive foundation to grow from?

 I think I would say so. We started this, we started well, okay. Actually the earliest thing, I think. That I felt like we made as a company as small silly as this might sound was our demo reel.

It was the first thing that the three of us like directed, scripted, Leal edited, we, and, we D we directed it and it was the first time there was no boss at another company or somebody else, or even a client giving notes. And for me that felt very rewarding because  I loved how it came out and it really was just the three of us not to anybody.

And so we've gone on and we've gotten large client projects. We've, we developed the American diplomat and that's really been our calling card. But I think in the beginning, just feeling like we're putting our stamp on our own. Film felt like, okay, like we can do this. It's good. We did good work and we didn't need somebody else to come in and review it for us.

 I totally agree with her and that that was our first really creative project we put out together. I think there there's sort of two moments for me.

One is when 

when we 

the production grant for any H for what is now the American diplomat, I think that 

that was 

such. A moment. I F I remember like the phone call. I remember Leila calling us, like, I just, it was such a labor of hard work to create this 

uh proposal 

for this, 

for this grant. And to find out that we had one, it was just a moment of, okay.

Like we have a future. There is that we have something to work towards. see value in what we're doing. And moment of validation 

I think in flow 

state. And then the other thing I would we do a lot of films for, 

George Washington university. They're one of our bigger clients.

And we had, they had their bicentennial uh last year 

and we did a series of films for them. And they had actually a film festival that it approached film festival, like a screening where it premiered all the films. We worked really hard and there was nine films in total. A year and a half, two year period that we worked on.

And to see those sort on a big a lot of work, a lot of time, a lot of effort, a lot of stress because it was over the pandemic that we had to 

these. that 

that to me was also a very validating for our 

 I see on your website that when you guys take on a new 

on a new project, you'd like to do The story map. 

is that one of the elements that makes your process unique? Like what are clients going to get 

get working from you that they might not get Well We're going 

our secrets here 

here.

You could, all,

you could say it's a special sauce, but you know,

Yeah, no, I think it's a great exercise because a lot of clients, they don't know what they want.

They think they want to, they know they want a video, but they haven't really thought through What the story exactly would be or how to drill down into it. So it really is a space to create a dis a dynamic conversation. W we're not big fans of just let's brainstorm. Let's just all get on a call and brainstorm, If people can sit down quietly alone and think through ideas on paper and then come together, we have found that to be much more productive way to collaborate and make sure voices that might get silenced in a conversation also get brought into it.

So, it really gives us a chance to get to know our clients on a deeper from there, come up with the best creative approach to. The film that they want to make. 

And it 

And it also forces them to think through questions not have been thinking about that will help them 

what they want.

So a lot of 

a lot of 

times you know the 

of the mission statement, a promotional film, a fundraising film. And so the idea is you really 

you really need to get down to the core of what the why. 

And the story map really 

really helps. 

clarify that for the client and for us.

 flow state does mission-driven films are, what are some of the projects that you're most proud of?

in I'm very proud of the American diplomat. 

just finished it. And it was Rochelle said a 

labor on 

Put seven years of work into 

it. 

Six years of development, when your production very proud to have actually brought it to completion. I mean, it was, there a 

lot of ups that's a recent project that proud of.  

I mean, for me, the 

the American diplomat, I would say flagship. I'm 

definitely the most proud of 

of that. And there's uh there's various films we've produced and directed for GW. proud Um There was one on hurricane Maria 

and the research team behind 

behind it who happened come from GW, the faculty there.

I'm pretty proud of that 

of that one. And then we did a pro bono project for comfort cases, nonprofit. And um that was a 

we just really 

wanted to support. we did a film for 

And I 

I think pretty much, I almost everything we on where we're proud of, because we really try to be 

intentional and 

selective work that we the projects that we work on. 

 I came into filmmaking, really interested in the intersection of social justice and documentary films. So, I agree. Everything we've done, we try to put, we put our best effort into we were invited to collaborate on a film with the community at George Floyd square.

Not long after the murder of George Floyd and take a look at the community, organizing around that neighborhood to create community, protect the Memorial site and really, fight for more justice in that city. And that was extremely. Collaborative with the community there. So that's something that I'm particularly, I think we're all very proud of and kind of, felt fortunate.

We had the opportunity to work closely on, on that project. And so I think we're always, it's always great when, potential partners start to really see what we're about and what our values are and the type of work we want to do. And I think that's where we hope to keep growing in the future. 

What are 

What are some of your growth goals as a company? Like what is your next step?

I think we would like to have at least one, broadcast or feature documentary a year that we're working on.

So we're kind of always in a pipeline. I mean, as I'm sure everyone who's in production knows, I mean, sustainability. As a small business, especially as a documentary filmmaking business is a big challenge. So I'm just always having, projects coming in. And of course, yeah, we definitely want to grow.

We hired our first full-time employee this year. And she's fantastic. And I think that's, it's been really fun. Being able to. Grow and bring on more people who also kind of share our value system and are intentional with their work. And I think that's a challenge to learn how to manage staff, but that's been, that's proven really fun and exciting for us as well.



I'll just say this too. One thing that we 

were really proud of production aspect 

American diplomat was we were working with a core team of individuals. And when the production was over, they all said to us how much they enjoyed working with that. And just like the 

fact that it could 

very stressful, but we tried to 

not.

Let 

that in fact 

like the 

co-moderator 

mood or the collaboration 

and how much 

appreciated that. And 

And so I think 

something that we do try to just, with people that we're 

we're working 

as well as each other, 

as stressful as it can 

we try to. it 

calm and not get too.

And like, remember that this isn't, we're not like brain surgeons either. Like, I think people can get like so serious about like giving notes and like production and, work these crazy hours. And sometimes you just have to say like, it's okay. It can wait a day or it's going to be fine.

Yeah, 

 think we all just try to be mindful of 

situations. whether that's Literally the three of 

three of us or whoever we're working with and 

empathetic and compassionate. And 

And then 

I think really what 

what has allowed us to survive and thrive is each other and our 

and 

our ability to sort of be there for each 

each other, 

through the good and the 

the bad 

the hard 

times, all of that, because there's been a lot, we've all been three of us have been through a lot.

I think. 

Having each other up against helped us move 

with. 

Yeah, it's funny. Cause we were office friends, in our late twenties, early thirties. So we had that sort of day in and day out bond that you get. So when we went to working remotely, it was easy that way too.

Cause we had such a strong foundation of just being in each other's lives on the regular. So it was, I'm thankful that we ha have had that kind of foundation of our friendship.

 so you guys have mentioned the American diplomat a few times, obviously.

It's like your big. D deal you were saying. Do you want to tell people a little bit more about it, about what it's about and also I'm curious to know I know that you also have a 

have a broadcast partnership 

PBS American experience. How 

How did that

happen?

Well, and I take the first part of the question. So the American 

diplomat 

a project it's a one-hour documentary historical documentary, about three black diplomats Karl Rowen, Terence Todman and Edward R. Dudley who represented the. Overseas during the civil rights movement and the cold war period, and the film really looks at issues of race and equity in the foreign service during that time period and the efforts of these three diplomats to kind of break down those racial barriers and break down the kind of elite culture of the state department and the foreign service during that period.

And, like I said, it's a project that we've been working on for awhile. I have a personal connection with that. My husband's a diplomat, so it was just something that was very personal to explore for me. And Rochelle and Kylie. Love the idea. And so we, had worked on it for quite a while before being able to bring it to To American experience, we got early support for, I do want to say that we've got early support from Virginia foundation for the humanities, black public media, firelight media.

Fantastic. Support from an interest from CPB and public broadcast in general. And I think it was just a matter of, kind of shepherding the project through until we reached a great part.

So are there any recent and exciting projects that people should keep an eye out for, from flow state, besides the American diplomat? Anything that's like on the horizon?

We are. Yeah we're still developing that. I mean, we were busy with some client work right now, or we're doing some exciting work with Arizona state university center for work in democracy. Like innovative academic working group that is getting behind activists and various labor in social movements.

So, I think they'll become a long-term collaborator with us as well. That was part of our partnership with the George Floyd film. So. I think we're hopefully more partnerships like that will be on the horizon. And we do have some brains, ideas where we're researching, but, we're still basically in the midst of the American diplomat being out in the world.

So we're just kind of, it was a very quick production schedule. I think the listeners will appreciate this. We were basically greenlit with the full funding in early February and we had to deliver the final film. Right before Christmas or in, mid December. So, and it was, COVID still, it was pre vaccine, I think, before, when we started filming.

So it was it was a pretty fast turnaround production schedule. So I think just now we're all kind of like coming up from 

Catching your breath Yeah 

that. So yeah.

Yeah. And Layola was saying, it was like 

like you 

years in the making or there was a 

a lot of 

before that

as well 

as well.

lot of trying to lot of 

the of fundraising 

partnerships and 

yeah.

So are, 

do any, do 

have a 

particular, 

like a project kind of like that's a dream project that 

that you 

would like to one day get done or a particular subject you want to highlight or 

or focus on? 

I think we're all interested in 

Social justice issues. And so I 

so I think we see ourselves 

aligning with projects that have that focus.

I think we're all very passionate about that. 

that 

Excuse and I think we 

we also have. 

What to potentially 

potentially continue with this idea of and possibly exploring other avenues 

diplomacy and the history of diplomacy. So 

so I think, 

Within framework, we are 

actively sort 

sort of pursuing and looking at and 

through potential 

projects. 

Cool 

I think what we loved about the American diplomat too, was that as a historical film, it allowed us to really look at, relations, international issue, global issues. Racism within the state department, racism within, us foreign policy global, international relations.

But by, by being able to be in the past, you can really be very factual and it can illuminate on today, but it, it's a different way to look at, some of the same themes that we still see today. So I think it's been really. Great to have opportunity to, and also to work with a team of scholars.

I think that's important to us. We had this incredible group of esteem scholars who've been working on the cold war and race relations, their whole careers. And so to be able to have their work brought to a national audience was just a huge honor. And so I think. We would love to do more projects like that with, any H support or other funders that really do let us do a very like deep kind of academic dive into complex topics, but that are extremely important.

And there were many diplomats who watched that film today that said they watched it three times. cried, they felt like they were seen or their experience was seen. And so that's, I think that was really important for us and meaningful to.

Yeah it was 

I think I 

gonna say I think we all 

challenged and to continue to learn.

And I think that's also important in any project we do, especially 

um in the, 

The 

world is we want we're lifelong learners, all of us. And so, I think that is something we get excited about is learning more about the topics that we're diving into.

I just want it to just do like, Kylie was saying in 

it about 

That the project 

allowed us to work 

scholars. I mean, we had a 

fantastic 

team of scholars, especially Michael Crenn, whose was black diplomacy was inspirational.  I also just want to shout 

out to 

because they were.

Not 

only financial supporter, but also steadfast supporter took us so long full budget for the project they really believed. 

And 

what we were trying 

to do, which was, 

tell a little 

known history on film. And when, you had 

had asked, what are we all kind of interested we all like 

and I think as Kylie 

said, like, it does allow you to.

Look at issues from a different lens. And 

And that's 

this film was able to 

do. 

But I mean, we we're interested in like labor. I 

I know Kylie is very 

in labor stories. really 

interested 

like politics and.

Democracy building. 

And I think whatever projects that we work on, 

think it's going to be sort of a combination of those interest,  trying to bring stories 

that kind 

dive into those histories, whether current or present to 

wider theme I think for all of us, before flow this sort mission-driven work.

that is certainly something that 

that motivates all of 

us.

Yeah, you can 

you can really tell that you all. Are passionate about using visual storytelling for  

I've 

enjoyed getting to 

a little bit more about your company and you all sound like very fantastic human beings, as well as 

as 

so is there anything else you'd like 

like to let people know about flow state films 

we let people know where they can learn more digitally?

I wouldn't just say we're we love meeting new people. We love collaborating. If there's young, younger listeners who want some advice reach out to us if there's partners, we're very collaborative. We love, Working with other people. I want to say something about with though.

I just, I think with it's a fantastic organization and I thank you for doing this. And, I think we've received scholarships from, with, to go to the main media workshop

was this the American that 

also a long time 

steadfast supporter 

believed. 

Early on in that project and 

to do it. So 

shout out to And Rochelle hired me as an intern at our first job together from a posting on the whiff listserv. So, 

and I got my first job in production, 

posting on the 

on the whip list 

So, yeah. 

It's definitely a valuable resource. Thanks for the shout out.

out. 

I mean, that's, again, collaboration, as we know, through, through any and all of the podcasts that we've done, it's just a common thread throughout about, the communities of support and collaborating with all kinds of people So for curious listeners that want to know more about each of you specifically, cause again, you all are individually very accomplished as well as a team.

And they want to know more about flow state or perhaps want to collaborate sometime down the line. Where can they go to learn more?

more?

Try a

Well our website 

www dot 

dot flow, state films.com. 

are 

We are also on social media, on Twitter, on Facebook. Um Our handles are flow state films 

and 

or emails, or just are for our first names, Kylie at flow, state films.com. So very easy to email us. But yeah, we're on social media. We're on LinkedIn.

So link in with us. We had, we worked with this fantastic PR firm this year, Laura Evans media, and they really helped. Get our LinkedIn pages up and going and our social media. So we are pretty present there now.

We will put all the links to these things in the show notes as well, I just want to say thank you all of you, three ladies for sitting down with me today and letting all of our listeners know about flow state films.

It's good luck with all of your future projects as well.

I know they will be meaningful ones.

Thank

Well, thank you for having us. 

Candice. We appreciate 

appreciate it. 

I'm sitting down with Vanya pedigree, a filmmaker, educator, and media professional with over 20 years of experience and the founder and CEO of root branch media group. Today, she's here to tell us all about that.

Award-winning full service media production firm. That's African-American owned woman owned and aims to make it through. Make media that makes a difference headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland root branch, not only produces content for its clients, but also provides media arts instruction to youth through their film academy.

I know I, for one, I'm very excited to learn more. So welcome Vanya. Thanks so much for joining us on the podcast.

Thank you Kansas. Thank you so much for having me. 

So let's dive right in root branch media group was founded in 2006, but when did you first get the idea of starting your own business? I guess like to play off the name a little, can you remember when the first seed was planted that eventually grew into root branch media group?

I liked what you did there. So, so my entire career. Has then in communications, I actually studied speech communications to be more specific at the university of Maryland college park. I set out on a journey to become a speech writer, and I had a very, very fortunate opportunity while I was in school. I interned at the white house in the speech writing department, under president bill Clinton.

And just as I was preparing to graduate from school. I have walked past the bullets and board and there was a posting for another internship for a television show. And so at this point I just needed some credits to graduate. So I was like, you know what? That seems really interesting. And so I interned at a television show called America's black forum, which is a political show filmed Capitol hill filmed actually out of Reuters studio in Washington DC.

And At that moment, that first day in the control room, I love the pulse, the energy and all of that. And I decided I really want to get into television and production. So that's totally opposite of everything. Studying. And it's a great opportunity at the white house. However, I'm a writer. And so, because I knew how to write speeches, I felt taught myself how to write scripts.

And so I pursued a career in media going forward. Granted an opportunity to work at a media firm in my hometown of Philadelphia. And to this day, I actually still have an incredible relationship with that production company so much so that we actually partner on a lot of projects now. And they subcontract my firm to produce a lot of their contents.

So I went from being an employee in my early twenties to now and in my forties being a partner and. And, contractor with the same agency. So that's how I kinda got into the world. Television and film. And from there forth, my entire career has been in the industry working for a number of other smaller production houses in Washington, DC until I made my way to the discovery channel.

And so I worked at discovery communications in silver spring, Maryland. For about six years, I worked in leadership. I was the supervisor of the post scheduling department and it was there where I really. Here's this network, the Mecca, in our area for television and film and production.

And I realized it's really more corporate than I realized in a lot of the creative production where, or happening with smaller production houses around the world that created content for the discovery networks. And so it was there that I decided. I need to be on that side of the game. And so I created my own production company to kind of set out, to position myself, to be able to do content work for networks and for which later opened up to government agencies and

and now the educational world.

So, so that's how  that seed was playing. 

 I understand root branch gets its name from like some of your personal history in a road in South Carolina. Do you want to, you want to tell us more about that and some of its early stages of, of coming to life?

Yes, absolutely. So while I was at discovery channel, like I said, I had this idea to start my own company. And I learned to go to a program in Baltimore called Web women entrepreneurs at Baltimore and I wasn't a resident of Boulder. I applied for the program was accepted into the program. And that's how I actually formed the company.

So through small business development training, develop the business plan and all of that. So they said, well, what do you want to name your company? And I'm like, Hm, that's a great, great question. And so 



family is extremely important to me. And I'm a first, for many things. First, the, my, my immediate family to go to college and to graduate and to really pursue.

Entrepreneurship in this way. My grandparents were entrepreneurs in the south. They were farmers, they were ministered. So on both sides, both grandparents, grandfathers, and my mother and my father sat with ministers. So they're very strict. But they were both also extremely great businessmen because they were farmers and they did grow their crops and sell it at Martin where they raised their, their animals and their lifestyle.

And so that, so, I kind of learned this entrepreneurial spirit from them on both sides. And so when I had an opportunity to come up with a name, I actually went to the eldest of my family and. I would love to honor our family and named my company after our land. And so I land in South Carolina, it's called root branch route.

And so, funny enough again, this, this was legacy years and years of being in our family. So, Back then the streets didn't actually have names like the rate, the roads weren't paved. Right? So the residents just knew, okay, this area is called root branch. This area over here is called, whatever have you.

And then at some point the county, begin dividing the lines and actually identifying the territory. And so they allowed the residents of those communities to name their streets.  if you go to South Carolina there's root branch road, which is this piece of land where, you know, a large number of my mom's side of the family live, then there's my dad's side of him. Which is which is Pettigrew lane. So we named it after ourselves. but I share that long story just to say it was important to me.

I went to the family and I asked them, would it be okay if I named my company? After root branch, they loved the idea. And of course they had no idea that it would grow into what it has grown into today. But, it's such a great way to honor, their work, tilling the land, and then that we continue to do to this day.

And my hope is to continue to pass it on to generations beyond. 

 that's such a wonderful metaphor as well. I mean, it sounds like you, you're connected your roots run very deep and then, and as it's growing, and when you look at a tree and a root system and everything, it's just as big on top and bottom and that's fantastic. That's, that's, that's a lovely story.

It's a great origin story.  so as a root branch has grown, I mean, in some of the earlier days, when did you feel like it was really taking off and growing and successful and was going to stick around,

So we've been in business for 16 years,  We were doing really well, like out the gate. And I, at the time I was still actually working. I was still working at discovery channel, but then life happened. 

As it always does. 

As it always does life happened. My mom became terribly ill.

I got a phone call. I needed to go to Philadelphia and I returned home at for what I felt. I literally just threw an overnight bag in the car for what I thought was going to be this overnight trip. Let me see how she's doing. She's in the hospital, whatever. And she needed so much care that I said, I need to care for my mom.

So. Reached out to my employer at discovery and said, I need to go home. But remember I was leadership in my position. So I had a whole department because I couldn't just leave, leave the field. I work for a while. And until we were able to just kind of transition things out, but I ended up staying in Philadelphia for like another two, three years.

For the record, my mom lived for another five years from then, but she's going through a lot. Those years I can never get back. I was there with her. I was able to care for her and make sure that she, lived as comfortably as she could, and just built more, newer memories with her.

But in that just really, really letting the network though discovery go and saying, okay, you have group ranch, you need to really do this full time. Like, so. Work the ground. And I developed, clients in Philadelphia and that's actually where our youth program was. First. I was in the midst of producing a, a video for a school in Germantown area of Philadelphia and the principal of the school.

She loved the video we did for her, the marketing video, but she said, you work really well with children that you have children, or you're a parent. And I said, I don't have any kids. Yeah.

I've never taught before. And she offered me a contract opportunity to do a program with her eighth graders.

And so, that went really well. And she really mentored me and helped me to develop a program like curriculum and that sort of thing. And so for the next three years, she invited me back. To offer, my program with her school. And so as mom got better, I decided to move back to Maryland, back to Baltimore.

And I brought my media program with me. I pitched it to Baltimore city school district and it has taken off. So to this day we probably run about 40 or so programs throughout the district. So. Instructors that teach them in photography at a number of schools during the school day as the resource blocks, or when students go to art music or gym class, they're taking some, making our photography with one of my teachers at their school, or we offer after school programs summer camps, just year round when they seasonal breaks, spring break or winter break, we offer short workshops just to keep our young people engaged and connected to their learning.

So,  That's really, how this new arm or a new revenue stream, if you will kind of took off, but I'm gonna tell you the honest, honest truth. I know that the pandemic 2020 was hard for all of us, for a number of reasons, but us as a company, That is really when we hit our stride. And I'm just talking, this is the last, the last two years or so but we have experienced exponential growth that is just mind blowing.

And I believe the reason is when the world shut down to go. Home to be safe, to, be able to take care of ourselves to stay alive. We needed to rely more on technology and video and these different elements to make that possible. And because we've always worked in a digital space, we're an expert at that.

And so, particularly in the education sector where we already have this relationship where we're teaching media in the classroom, the school district here in Baltimore, specifically, I was in no way ready for virtual learning. They didn't have the capacity, the students that live in this community, in this city for the most part, do not have access to computers.

They don't have internet. And so they were really struggling. And so, project partner came to, came to me and said, Hey, We have an idea. What if we produce the kid TV show that aligned with the curriculum that the students were sent home with? Like when they say, when governor said go home, they sent our students home with a packet on this packet of paper and then cause we're going to come back to school in a couple of weeks.

Yeah, well that didn't Right.

And so we took that packet and we created. 30 minute episodes, TV shows around the content that was in the packet. And so what we ended up doing was pitching that concept to our school district. The school district loved that they funded it and we between April  of 2020.

To August that summer we produced 105 30 minute episodes of so massive production in the method. Again, this was when it was very new, super scary. We were considered essential personnel. We had a ladder to prove it and cause you weren't supposed to be outside and that whole thing. And so, so more organizations similarly have reached out to us.

Digital content and mass quantities that they can use this educational supplement tool materials. And so, that's what led me to the point of saying, okay, I know most people are shutting down and closing down and brick and mortars are closing, but I sat out on a mission. So get us a studio space because we were booming and producing so much volumes so quickly that I needed a physical space and offices were closed people weren't, buildings weren't open to us.

So, that sent me out on a mission to identify a property of our own. 

 I hired a development company development firm and and we started this process of may of last year. 

 so in the meantime, while I was in this, in this, in the search, I did identify a studio that I was able to find for leaks, which is crying right now.

And so we leased this space and it's actually really beautiful. And so, And I'm not just saying that because I said it's been really, it's really beautiful. The tenant before me was an interior designer. So I just kinda elevated things that she had already had in place. And so clients just really loved the experience.

And again, because we are in the midst of COVID, we are a COVID certified safe space and it makes a difference when you go home place and it feels Very clean. And, because again, We want to be as safe as possible. So at any rate, I started on this journey to purchase a property. And I was making a video for a client of ours, a new client who

had grown and scaled and they had bought a new building and they hired our company to make all marketing materials.

And as I was having a conversation. I see of that company. I was sharing with him because they're also not from Baltimore, but very much rooted in Baltimore. And I shared with him that I shared those same sentiments that I want our company to be rooted in Baltimore so much. So I'm looking to purchase and he said, well, my old building is for sale and it's not listed on the market.

Make me an offer. 

insider information. 

Yeah was getting interesting. I go to check it out and it's prime real estate. It's on the harbors on the water. like, I mean, Beyond my wildest dreams, because again, if Baltimore, that there's a lot of abandoned buildings and that sort of thing. So everything, my vision was maybe to rehab something and, redevelop an area.

Not necessarily walking into a building, that's ready to go on the water. That's a few million dollars, 

God was on my side and this entire opportunity has been a true blessing. So we are literally days away 

Oh, this is very exciting. So I would imagine by the time that this particular episode comes out, you will be, off, off to the races. You'll be, you'll be chugging ahead. Full steam.

Yes. And I want to share this because I think this is extremely important. The reality of it is African-Americans don't own a Ultimate's Harper. Like there's a lot of division. There's a lot of, everything isn't equal here, put it that way. And 

Or anywhere, unfortunately, which is really frustrating. Yeah.

Which is very fresh and, and we know this to be true, hence all the intentional efforts for diversity and inclusion and all of that. And so, so to be presented with this opportunity to purchase such a prime piece of real estate on our waterfront it's historical, it's monumental, like this is the legit.

Like history being made, when you think of the stories of our state of Maryland and slavery in our state, dating back to knowing that Frederick Douglas escaped from this same fells point Canton area waterfront to now all these generations later, for me to be able to be an owner of a property that is an entire block loan and that's worth several million dollars, 

Wow. That is wonderful. 

bull. 

Yeah, that's incredible. And it also emphasizes again how important it is that you're doing the work that you're doing and that people are creating the change that needs to happen in the world that, you started your own business because it needed to be done, and I think that's absolutely wonderful.

I love it. I also think It's, it seems pretty apparent that you're very proud of Baltimore and Maryland and being in this area. Do you have a lot of your projects and things focused on, on this area and all of that? Like how do you celebrate where, where root branches based.

Yes, I do. Baltimore and the state of Maryland shows me so, so much love, I'm an active member. Of our chamber of commerce here. I, I'm a member I'm on the advocacy committee for novel, which is out of DC, but the national association of women business owners our business is also a Goldman Sachs 10,000 10 KSB, 10,000 small business.

We are cohort nine forever known as the COVID cohort, because we were actually in the midst of our programming when the pandemic hit. So we were the cohort that went from being in person to shifting to virtual. And I actually happened to be the ambassador of our cohort. So I'm always chanting for the program and identifying other small businesses.

Because again, I do attribute a lot of our growth to having been an alum of that program, because again, it helped me to begin. Thinking I have my business from a place of leadership as a true CEO, and thinking about how do I grow and scale the business. And as an artist, who also works in my business, it's like, you can get so into the hamster wheel almost of doing the work or production work or production, but to be able to sit as a CEO and to think strategically how we can leverage what we are able to do in this marketplace.

And like I said, a city like this. Who has had such a, a strong heat, especially in that educational space. I feel very proud to know that our company was a part of the solution side to, to helping our children, fill that gap so that they don't experience a huge loss in learning during that transition of the pandemic.

And as there we're acclimating back to in-person again, just continuing to support them. And supporting the instructors because I mean, if you, if you have children, you will know it's hard for the teachers to get the young people to participate in class virtually. So I did a lot of professional development training for the teachers as well and how to get their students to open up and engage in tool space.

So, so we've done the same type of work for businesses as well. So, I do with intention set out to support. Baltimore and Maryland based businesses to try to help them use media and video as a resource to really pivot because people are kind of stuck still, on how you take what we have typically done one way for so long and make it work in this new world of ours.

I want to get a little bit more into the academy side of things, but before we do that, just, I mean, you are a mediator. Production type firm as well. How do you establish your collaborators that you work with? Do you have a set team or do you just do freelancing on case by case project by project basis?

 how do you find who you work with?

 so most of our team, our contractors, however, as we plan to transition into our new facility because it will be built out with? three studios and five edit bays and all this and this and this and this, I want, bodies in the buildings.

So. And we will be operating two shifts. So I'm open from 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM. So we are creating employment opportunities in a very different way. And because again, we do such an incredible amount of work in the school district. We are able to support our freelance instructors and filmmakers because they double as boat.

So they're on our crew side because all of our instructors are professional filmmakers. So they are teaching the content, but they're actually doers in the world. So that's part of our factor as a company, but there are other programs that do similar to what we do, but it's a little bit different when your teacher is a news anchor, Google their teacher and see, oh my God, that's my teacher.

So, or they're really host a podcast. So they really do shows like Sirius XM and that sort of thing. So these are real professionals that come into the classroom. So these same members were, Like I said, both in our studio or on our production jobs, as well as we're able to see. So Phil hours with them and consistent pay, by having them work in our schools as well.

And so again, That's something I'm very, proud about because I know having been in the production world for so long and what freelance could be like, or just being an entrepreneur, just the whole net 30 and. We're able to pay all of our members twice the mom direct deposit, and so these are the kinds of benefits and perks that keep folks happy and, and are able here to work. 

is, is not always something contractors and freelance there's going to rely on. it sounds like. On the precipice of a grand new chapter of this company. What are the kinds of things that you look for when you decide who you're gonna work with our collaborator, bring in as an educator or anything?

Are there qualities that are high up on your list? Just sort of generally, what do you, what is it that draws you to working with.

 For us. What draws us in with working with folks is our hook and our slogans that we make meaningful media media. That makes a difference. So, and that's important on the type of contracts that come our way and the effort that we put into it. So I tend to look for people who are here for the mission of what we do, People want to get paid and I want to make sure you get paid.

So that's not an issue. So I need you to actually care. I need you to care about the word. I need you to care about our community care about the impact that is actually making. So it makes a difference in because. All of our teams feel that way they go above and beyond as the norm. Like not because I'm just working people, whatever, but they realize, okay, I should have gotten the shot.

I would go run back out and go get that. You know what I mean? And not, oh, am I going to get more hours to go back out to get this shot? Like they want to make sure that everything we do is actually. Because again, we don't take it lightly and we don't take it for granted. And I repeatedly tell every client every time, thank you for choosing root branch, because it is truly a choice.

You do not have to choose us. And when, when it comes to schools or parents, Choose us to trust their prize, possession their child. I do not take that for granted. I do not have children. So the fact that you trust your child with me says a lot, and so they, they feel that, and I let them know that your root branch for life, 

So in addition to finding crew that is passionate about the, the causes and the, the, the overall ethos of making projects that make a difference in all of that. It's, it seems like you're also very committed,  too, hiring people of color and keeping keeping that as like a priority.

what do you think is the impact. Of of doing that and, and elevating all types of people into these positions.

Absolutely. So we are truly a safe space. So many members of our team, are from various backgrounds of color and gender. And because we are so diverse in that way, it makes it easier for clients who want to create messages in that, in that area to work with us, because they already understand that we welcomed that.

And so we can really dive deep into what their messaging is, and it's not coming from a weird place. we do a lot of work with Muslim organizations, or we may do work, with the transgender or, so it's, it's just, it's just a space where, you know, like I said, you are, you're welcome. And we want to help raise awareness and bring attention to concerns that really needed, and, and we're a safe space and choice to do that. 

 root branch offers a large.

The services, I mean, from video production and creative development, motion, graphics, branding, content, animation, cinematography, web design, et cetera, et cetera. And so on. There's even more. What experience what do you think that experience in a wide array of offerings means for your potential clients?

Like what advantage do you have there?

So here's, here's how I look at it because we do a lot of work in education. And what I know about education and being a teacher myself, people learn before. People aren't saying. So by us being able to offer services in a variety of ways, we're able to create a message cause we're still content creators.

So we're creating your message, but in a way that it appeals to different audience types. So some things are easier to receive when it's done in motion, graphic, animation, then live action. Real people saying it. because we do market research in partnership with our our, one of our partners, we want to use authentic voices that relate to the community that we're trying to reach.

There are different ways to tell a story and there's different ways to reach audience. So by having such a wide range of talent under one roof, we can attack your, your project and your messaging. Based on what we think would be most effective. 



it sounds like you are very much on the right track with all of this. are there any particularly exciting new projects down the road that you want to share about now, before we tell everybody where to learn more, or is it just exciting this new space that you're growing into?

Yeah. I mean, my goodness, when I tell you, I just can't wait to, to really reveal what's happening. Because not only is it a new space, it's such a large space that is creating. Like literally five new business entities for us, as a result of it, because the building is his own business. And then it has a second floor with office spaces for rent.

So we now have a branch office solutions and there will be A coffee shop, which has the branch press. And so, so you got to come

A lot of branches on that tree. Yeah.

and come, hang out, have some coffee. Check out by the Harbor side. So, it's really creating a number of new opportunities and because we are building out these new spaces, like the audio space and the different post-production rooms, we're gonna really be able to move into that space as a post house.

And there's an audio house where we aren't necessarily those things right now. So, and, and because again, I'm the first to do it, to bring this kind of thing on, on this side of town, I'm excited for what that means for all of our students, to be able to take field trips and be able to experience this side of our Harbor or, or even for the new businesses, with a small businesses that may rent space from us, but them to now be able to have.

So Baltimore is waterfront, through us. So, again, all the opportunities that this space creates is it's just, it's, it's mind blowing sometimes. Like I know that once I take possession and I have the keys, my life will never be the same again. So preparing for that and there's a whole.

Construction part that has to happen. So stay tuned because I am this entire process is going to be our own flip, things. So I'm hoping to turn it into something episodic, where you feel watched, the making of the studio, the making 

Well, look at that a little docu series about root branch growing. That sounds wonderful. Well, I mean, root branch, it sounds like root branch is your baby and it's growing up and it's doing great things and it's all. Wonderfully deserved. And I know I'm very excited to see where it goes. And, and I would love to check out that space sometime.

 if listeners want to know more about Ru branch media group and its services and all that stuff, let everyone know where they can go to find.

Yes, please connect with us on all social platforms at root branch, M G R O T B R a N C H M G. And as we continue to build out these different arms of the company, We we'll develop additional social platforms for each of those things, but it'll all start from group branch mg from the announcement to the branching out of the different properties pieces.

 And we'll put all those links in the show notes as well. So it's easy for people to link on through. But yeah, that's absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much for sitting down with me today and for sharing more with us about root branch. we clearly will be hearing more and more from you.

So thank you.

Thank you. Thank you again so much. This has been great.