October 6, 2024 • 35 mins
In this episode, join us as we delve into the artistic journey of Kacie Lauder, a visionary in the world of digital media and podcast production. Discover how Kacie’s passion for storytelling and her innovative approach to digital content have set new standards in the podcasting industry. From early challenges to her current successes, Kacie shares insights that are invaluable for anyone looking to make a mark in digital media.
Listen in to learn about the evolution of podcast formats, the importance of diverse voices in media, and how Kacie crafts compelling narratives that resonate with a wide audience. Whether you’re a content creator or a media enthusiast, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge on navigating and succeeding in the dynamic world of podcasting.
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Connect with Kacie and learn more about the latest in her media journey at http://www.couldbeprettycool.com
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Intro (00:12):
Uh,
Kenny (00:29):
Welcome.
Welcome everybody to anothergreat episode of the beyond
normal podcast.
I'm your host, Kenny groom.
Uh, we're going to get rightinto things.
Uh, we, we have somebody who isa fellow podcaster on, uh, they
have their own, uh, creativestudio.
Uh, but I just thought, youknow, with this season, season
six that we're in, we'reswitching things up.
(00:51):
Uh, founders are acrossdifferent industries.
And so I want to make sure thatI show some love.
So show some appreciation.
Appreciate it.
Uh, to fellow, uh, creators.
So without further ado, I'mgoing to bring up the founder of
Could Be Pretty Cool.
And her name is Kacie Luaders.
So without further ado, let's goahead and bring her on the
stage.
(01:11):
How's it going, Kacie?
Kacie (01:13):
Kenny.
Thanks so much for having me.
I'm excited to chat with you.
Kenny (01:16):
Yes, yes, yes.
Um, we're both living Uh,similar lives at this point, um,
from a creative perspective, butyou're, you know, the path that
you're taking, being a founder,starting something on your own,
that's unique to you.
So we want to make sure that ourguests, uh, get a good, uh, idea
of the journey that you've beenon to get to this point.
Uh, so could you just start usout?
(01:37):
Let us know a little bit before,uh, you started could be pretty
cool.
Like what were you doing?
Uh, were there any inclinationsto you being a founder prior to
you starting this company?
Kacie (01:48):
Absolutely.
So, could be pretty cool.
Formally started on paper inDecember of 2019, but we didn't
actually, like, become a thingthing until, I would say, May of
2020.
Before I knew what a podcast wasbefore I knew anything about the
industry or that I would be apart of it.
Um, I was working primarily inlive theater.
(02:10):
So both on the admin side, doingmarketing and fundraising for
nonprofit theaters here inAtlanta, and also on the audio
side.
So I did sound design fordifferent plays all throughout
the Metro Atlanta area.
And that's kind of what I did.
Um, circa.
April 2020 when all of the livetheater, uh, closed because of
(02:34):
the pandemic.
Um, I found myself with a lot ofextra time on my hands.
And fortunately that is alsowhen everyone started podcasts.
And I was like, Oh, guess wehave to do the pivot thing,
figure out how to continue.
eating food and living indoorsand that's kind of where it
could be pretty cool.
(02:55):
The company formalized and it's,it's part of what I've been
doing ever since.
Kenny (03:04):
I love that.
As you were speaking, youmentioned during the pandemic,
we all know what that did to theworld.
Um, but that's a weird time,right?
Because people are consuming somuch content, right?
But you being in the theaterspace, right?
There's, there's like thisreally big shift that needs to,
to happen.
(03:25):
while people are clamoring forcontent, you can't necessarily
go to the theater or go to thestage where you're used to
giving them that content.
Like talk a little bit aboutlike, how did that, like, how
did that feel?
Like, I don't, I I'm, I'm tryingto get a good idea, uh, a little
bit more of an idea of what youwere going through, because
(03:47):
again, the world was clamoringfor Netflix and chill, right?
The moments families were doingthis in mass.
Yeah.
But then here's somebody likeyou, who's creating content for
a living and you can'tnecessarily do it.
Kacie (04:00):
It was humbling.
Um, it was definitely humblingto see how quickly an entire
industry could disappear.
Because of circumstances beyondanyone's control.
I think that the theaterindustry did a really good job
of like figuring things out.
That's when we started seeingmore innovation with live
(04:22):
streams of performances or, youknow, some theaters were finding
ways to do maybe one personshows and just recording them.
And, you know, there was a lotof innovation going on,
including radio plays.
A lot of radio plays came back,a lot of like outdoor things
that people could drive, youknow, through and see people
(04:43):
outside on the stage performing.
Um, while it was really bizarreand frankly a little bit scary,
I will say that there was aspirit of that, that kind of
like the show must go on naturereally did, you know, kick in
for a lot of folks.
And so, There was also a lot ofinnovation and a lot of the
(05:04):
rules being thrown out of thewindow because no one had
experienced a time when weliterally could not gather
together and make work.
So it was, I guess, humblingwould really be the, the
sentiment I would stand on.
But also, like a lot of thingsduring that time, We figured out
(05:25):
things in a way that we neverwould have had to if we didn't
have these challengingcircumstances.
And I think a lot of that asentrepreneurs and creative
entrepreneurs is what we doevery day.
So, yeah.
Kenny (05:42):
Yeah.
There, there's some of that,like, uh, like that grit is
built into the journey as a, asa creative, right?
You, you have to really figurethings out as we, you know, most
people know, some may not know,like living as a creative,
right.
And that's, and that's your nineto five.
The pays aren't always.
(06:03):
You know what they should be.
And so you really do have tofigure things out.
And so some of that is builtinto your DNA, but I'm curious.
Um, from a entrepreneurperspective, like, did you have
any experiences with it prior tothe pandemic that may have
(06:23):
prepared you for this point thatyou're at now, where you, you
have this company, like yousaid, pen to paper, and now it's
a, uh, an official business outin the world that you're doing
things with.
Like, were there any experiencesprior to the pandemic, um, that
you, that you drew upon
Kacie (06:40):
Maybe none that I was aware of at the time.
I would say in my role as asound designer for theater, that
was freelance.
And so I was.
Contract, you're on a show 2 3months, then you're done, you
get your check, you move on tothe next thing.
And so, While I was doing thatfor like four or five years, I
(07:03):
guess I didn't connect thatlike, Oh, I as an independent
contractor am a small businessin a way.
Like if I don't show up and dothe work, I'm not going to get
more work.
And therefore me as a smallbusiness.
I'm not going to exist.
Um, that wasn't like, again,like consciously what I was
thinking, but that definitelyended up sort of weaving its way
(07:28):
when I became a business and,you know, went through the
secretary of state and got thebusiness license.
That is like, Oh, it's the samething.
Even though now I've moved on topodcasts.
If I don't deliver things ontime for a client, if I deliver
something that is not up to whatwe discussed or up to a
standard, I'm not going tocontinue working with this
(07:51):
client if, you know, I don'tshow up as my best self, if
we're not doing what we werehired to do.
We're not going to continue towork.
And so I think a lot of thatscrappy mentality as a
freelancer definitely likedrives me now, but I guess even
like in this interview, I didn'tmake the connection until like
(08:11):
just now, like, Oh yeah, I guessso, but I didn't know it.
Kenny (08:15):
and that, and that's okay.
Like, um, you know, there's,there's certain things that are
just embedded in our story,right.
And we were, you're moving, likeyou're figuring things out.
And then later on, maybe whenyou have some time to reflect.
You know, you start to likepiece things together.
Like, Oh yeah, that experiencedid help me out.
Um, you know, somewhat, I'mcurious, like you made this
(08:37):
decision to start something onyour own.
Typically people go to theirinner circle first, uh, family,
close friends, and they tellthem, I'm curious, like, what
was that experience?
Like, what was the feedback yougot?
Um, tell me yours and I'll bemore than happy to tell you, uh,
mine as well.
Kacie (08:57):
Sure.
So again, I think in my case, Iwas sitting in the house and at
the time I was staying with myparents because of like other
circumstances, but it all workedout cause you know, they
couldn't leave the house anyway.
Um, and so when I was like,yeah, I'm, I had participated in
2019 in a workshop sort ofbootcamp style program through
(09:21):
Spotify for women of color tolearn about podcasting.
And so.
That was really my firstentryway into learning about the
podcast industry, but I had nointentions of actually really
pursuing it as a career.
And so when I was like, yeah,I'm going to make podcasts now,
I'm going to try to license andsell podcasts and do work for
(09:43):
other people.
I think there was, because I'vealways been in the arts, a
little bit of like, Oh, this islike another, art school thing
that Kacie's doing.
Um, but it wasn't until theopportunity started popping up
and I was able to start, youknow, making a living off of
this, that my family especiallywas like Oh, I still don't know
(10:05):
what this is, but apparentlyit's a thing.
So yay.
Um, and I would definitely say,and I would love to learn about
your experience with this 2020.
So I would say maybe into 2021,beginning of 22, it felt like a.
Renaissance for indie creators.
It felt like there were moreopportunities to get heard and
(10:28):
seen and people were takingchances.
And so building a company atthat time, it was like, Oh, she
does appear to be succeeding andworking like this is great.
As things have sort of, um, I'llsay, uh, course corrected in the
podcast industry, I think thatthere, there tends to be on my
(10:49):
end like a little moreexplaining to do like, well, no,
I'm not doing the big majorshow, but I have this client or
I'm not doing, you know,something that I'm traveling
around the country, but I amstill doing stuff.
A little bit more of that'shappening now, but yeah, I will
be curious to know about yourorigin story.
And then also if you have anythoughts about like the way the
(11:13):
industry has shifted over thepast couple of years.
Kenny (11:16):
Yeah, for sure.
Um, it's really cool.
I just want to say being on witha, another podcaster,'cause they
asked me questions.
Uh, and it gives, it gives me achance to sit on the other side
of the, of the camera to, tosome extent for me it was, um,
the listeners have like, youknow, see me like give bits and
(11:36):
pieces of this, but I'lldefinitely try to put it
together concisely.
I was corporate America myentire life.
Um, majored in mathematics,worked at a lot of the big banks
here in Charlotte, NorthCarolina.
And so my whole career was justcareer guy, you wear a suit
every day, you know, stuff likethat.
And so I, the pandemic for mewas, you mentioned like this
(11:58):
renaissance.
It was this period for me oflike, it was refreshing for me
because I was like, well, I canstop wearing my suit now.
I don't have to, there's notthis expectation, like I'm going
into the office.
We're still doing thingsvirtually from a corporate
perspective, but I started tointeract with more and more
creatives.
Like you mentioned the creative,um, like that period, right?
(12:21):
That 2020, 2021.
And so it was really cool andrefreshing.
I connected with so manydifferent black people from
different walks of life thatthat was what drew me into like,
Hey, how do I like start tellingstories on my own?
Like, who can I connect with?
And I use the lens of, well, Icome from corporate America.
(12:45):
I want to focus on businessbecause I feel like that's where
I can add some value for folks,right?
Who, who I can frame it theright way.
Cause that's what I'm used to.
But I can still looking at allthese amazing black creatives
that I'm interacting with stillfeel, make it my own.
And so from those interactionson, uh, apps like clubhouse, all
(13:08):
kinds of different, justdifferent spaces.
Like I was on forums, I don'tknow why I was on the forums,
but it was just amazing.
I was connecting with again,black excellence across
different industries.
And so that's what made me say,Hey, you know what, like, even
if I do still do a nine to five.
This podcasting thing, I can,um, you know, build it out more.
(13:28):
And I think when I told my innercircle, they was like, Oh, this
is a hobby of Kenny's.
Right.
But then when I started to gofrom five episodes, 10 episodes,
20 to 30, 40.
Like even some of themafterwards came to me and they
was like, Oh yeah, I always sawyou doing something like this on
your own.
You're making it your own.
It's what you want to make it.
And they saw me doing thingslike this with my life.
(13:51):
And so, um, you know, at firstit was that blind just support.
Hey, I'll click on Kenny's linkon Facebook, Instagram, whatever
the social media outlet was.
Um, but then they started to seeI was more committed and I was
putting time and energy andmoney into it.
They, they, they started toembrace it a little bit more.
At times they still don't know,like, you know, the elders in my
(14:12):
family, they're not going tonecessarily, like you said,
they're just like, Oh, this isjust something Kenny's doing.
Um, and as long as Kenny's happydoing it, content, you know,
they're willing to support.
Kacie (14:23):
Absolutely.
Like two things that I just wantto put out and then I'm gonna
let you get back to yourinterview.
I'm sorry.
Um, number one, shout out toclubhouse.
Like I did not realize howinstrumental that was in that
like 2021 period of.
Still being able to network andto be able to network with
people who otherwise I neverwould have talked to or met.
(14:47):
And some are still folks wholike, I'm, you know, we've
worked together now we've beenon each other's projects.
We've like done stuff.
So I love that you mentionedclubhouse.
And then the second thing I lovethat you come from, from
corporate America.
I think that for some reason,still, In the creative
community.
There's still a lot of like ifyou're not doing this full time
(15:08):
That you're not serious about itor you're not No, we all again.
We need to eat.
We need to live indoors and noteveryone wants to make their
creative passion their projectsthe main thing that they're
doing to survive because It, itsometimes can feel like a chore.
And so for like peoplelistening, I want everyone to
(15:30):
feel valid in whatever theircreative path is.
If it is, I have my nine to fiveand I do my painting and go to
art shows on the weekends.
Or if it's, you know, I want tobe a full time painter and this
is all I ever want to do.
And I'm going to pursue thisfull time forever.
Everybody's journey is valid.
So just want to shout out thosepoints.
Kenny (15:51):
Great, great points.
Um, many founders, not very manyfounders specifically in, um,
Minority communities are goingto have that ability to go out
and just start their business.
And then, like you said, not,you know, not worry about paying
the bills and doing all theseother things.
And so it's just a natural partof it.
(16:11):
For most founders, um, you haveto juggle, it's a skill set
you're going to have to manage.
Um throughout your time foundingyour business while also making
sure you know, your your nucleusis secure And so I appreciate
you for for calling that outbecause that's something
Consistently i've heard uh fromthe founders that we've had on
is just you know balancing thatYou know family dynamic, you
(16:35):
know things that happen Whilepursuing your passion.
And then hopefully you get tothat point where that passion
project turns into a fullfledged business.
And you can just solely work onthat and be happy, uh, and
excited every single day, wakingup.
Uh, we, we know that that's,that's not always going to be
the case.
Uh, so
Kacie (16:53):
yeah.
Kenny (16:54):
talk to me a little bit about, uh, how the experience of
being a founder has been, um,from a learning perspective, you
mentioned being a creative, itsounds like you've been a
lifelong creative, so I'mcurious.
Like what are some of thosemoments of learning, um, that
you've had so far, um, as you'vebuilt out, uh, could be pretty
(17:15):
cool.
Kacie (17:17):
So I would say, uh, sticking with the, the humbling
theme, uh, some of the mosthumbling things I've had to
learn are creating things foryourself and creating things for
other people.
Meaning like someone hires youto make a thing for them.
Are not the same process andthat's fine.
(17:38):
And you have to deal with itearly.
I think some of my earliest gigsof like coming onto someone
else's show as an associateproducer or production
coordinator, um, I would come inwith the mentality of like, Oh,
well, I would do it this waybecause X and if the person in
charge is like, that's not howwe do it, we're not going to do
that.
(17:59):
I would take it very personally.
It's like the, well, why did youhire me then?
Well, you know, what am I evenhere for?
But I've come to the point nowwhere I'll just be like, okay,
I'm going to figure out some wayto document that I have given my
suggestions so that ultimatelyif something happens in the end,
I can't be like, I didn't try tosell you, but it's not my show.
(18:20):
And so I'm just here to supportyour show.
I'm just here to support yourwork, your narrative, and
ultimately being that personshowing up, doing the best for
other people, as I mentionedearlier, is how you get asked to
come back.
It's how you get recommended forthe next thing.
If you're showing up on otherpeople's stuff, trying to
dictate their world, they're notgoing to want you around.
(18:41):
They're not going to tell otherpeople about you.
So that was kind of learning.
Number one, learning number two,I guess.
Okay.
Business wise.
I mean, there's just so muchthat I went to school undergrad
for music and minored intheater.
I went to grad school for sound.
So my whole education has beenin the arts that whole time.
(19:02):
I maybe took a business class,but not a business class that
was specific for creatorbusinesses like that.
Wasn't a thing that existed.
And so just kind of therealities of this is, you know,
articles in corporation, youneed this kind of license to do
(19:23):
this.
This is how you separate yourmoney.
Don't still don't ask me a thingabout taxes.
Like my Lord, 2021 was the mosthumbling year financially for
me.
When I got that tax bill fromgetting all these 10 99s and I'm
like, we, I'm doing it.
Good Lord.
Um, so there's just a lot, Ithink of business one on one
(19:44):
proper that I unfortunately hadto learn by experiencing versus
someone saying, by the way, makesure you're setting aside.
X, y, Z dollars, you know, setup a quarterly payment system,
et cetera.
Um, and I would say the thirdthing that I'm really starting
to learn now is that I don'thave to do the things that I
(20:09):
hate.
I can, I can hire someone elseto do it.
And yes, that's always the tossup between, okay, I'm coming
outta my bag.
But again, that thing of like.
the thing that you love turninginto a chore is what I'm trying
to avoid.
Contrary to popular belief, evenif you work for yourself, you
(20:30):
can burn out.
And because we often don't havethe same type of like, okay,
nine to five done.
Okay.
Saturday, Sunday, I'm notworking kind of filters around
us.
We can probably burn out fasterworking for ourselves.
And so You know, we're headinginto year five.
I've just recently been like, Ihate editing.
(20:52):
I really do.
I know someone who's really goodat it.
I'm going to just have to paythem to do it for me rather than
hate my life all week, you know?
So yeah, I would say those arethe three biggest learnings for
me so far.
And, but learning every singleday, seriously.
Kenny (21:10):
Yeah, you just dropped some gems there.
Um, I'm not going to touch onall three.
I will just say, um, amazing,uh, feedback and taxes.
You are not alone.
Uh, I'm scared to do taxes on myown or touch any document that
has to do with taxes.
And so I can imagine, um,looking at 10 99s.
(21:31):
I've done that before as well.
Uh, through my business and, uh,it can get muddy, uh, very
quickly and you can end upowning, um, Uncle Sam, a lot of
money.
So, uh, commend you for goingthrough that experience and
you're here today.
Um, and so, uh, you know, thatmeans things are progressing,
uh, quite nicely, but appreciateyou being transparent.
(21:54):
I think there's always, youknow, parts of the business,
right.
Unless we've actually gonethrough the experience of
running our business, a businessbefore.
Right.
There's going to be parts that,um, that are going to be
learning experiences for us.
You mentioned the parts.
Why do stuff that you hate?
Uh, that's something that I feellike is one of like my, I don't
(22:14):
want to call it a commandmentsof life, but that is where I'm
at in this point in my life.
Definitely not trying to do toomany things that I hate.
And if there's a AI robot outthere that I'll do it, or a
human being who enjoys doing it,uh, I'm usually willing to pay.
For that service, um, and youtouched on something there.
(22:35):
Um, there's this, uh, there'sthis consistent theme I'm
hearing as I'm talking tofounders, specifically in the
creator space, um, around justlike B2B businesses that support
creators, you know, the creatoreconomy.
Um, I'm always interested in,I'm always plugging, uh, for
those who are listening, whodon't have a business yet, if
you want to support creatives.
(22:56):
We have a creative here, uh,Kacie, who just told you there's
parts of her business that she'slooking to not do, and she's
willing to, you know, havesomebody partner with.
And B2B specifically is a spacewhere I don't think there's
enough.
Founders, but I'm hoping that,you know, over the next couple
of years, we see somewhat of acourse correction there, uh,
(23:16):
specifically for the creatoreconomy.
Kacie (23:20):
I hope so, too.
Just want to say that.
Okay,
Kenny (23:23):
Yeah.
Yeah.
So, you know, um, one of thetaglines I saw online for, uh,
could be pretty cool.
Uh, you're producing unique, uh,creative experiences on that
inspire community buildingthrough the arts.
And so I want, I want you totell folks a little bit, About
like what's currently like, youknow, on the docket for the
(23:43):
company, like, what can theyexpect to see as they, you know,
they engage with the brand and,um, you know, just what, what
can they look forward to, uh,you know, coming from, uh, your
media production company.
And I know you're doing a wholehost of things, but you know,
and, you know, if I were tolabel it one thing, I would
definitely say you're a mediacompany, but, you know, just
(24:04):
give folks a little idea as theyconnect with your brand, what,
what they can look forward to.
Kacie (24:09):
sure thing.
So right now we are expandingour coverage on could be pretty
cool news, which is our flagshippodcast that actually is all
about creative entrepreneurship.
So on every episode we interviewsomeone who works as either a
researcher or an academic orecosystem builder, an expert in
(24:32):
some way.
Um, about the creator economy,just because, you know, a lot of
times when we hear creatoreconomy, the first thing people
think about is like, Oh, youknow, A TikToker with 20 million
followers who makes a living offof brand deals.
Like, yes, that is a type ofperson in the creator economy,
but most people, they're, theylook like us.
(24:52):
They're folks who do this as apassion.
They do this as a thing they'retrying to grow.
They do this in the trenches foryears and years before that big
opportunity comes, if it evercomes realistically.
And so.
We want to be more consciousabout actually talking about the
data and the numbers and thetrends and the research as more
(25:13):
of these conversations arestarting to be had conversations
like those that are had on yourprogram.
Um, this is relatively newhearing founders in different
spaces, just talk about how theygot started or, you know, hot
takes or things that they'velearned.
Um, and so we feature an expertand we feature a narrative
strategist.
(25:34):
Story from a creator or anindependent artist basically
just like tell us your story.
How did you get started?
What are things that you learnedagain?
Just to continue putting outinto the ecosystem content about
realness about creators.
And so, um, we featured costumedesigners.
(25:55):
We featured, uh, uh, composers.
We featured, uh, Comedians, um,folks who are working in the
arts and creative fields.
And we really are just like,tell us how you are doing it.
Tell us what you would wantsomeone to tell you five years
ago.
(26:16):
Um, and so.
That is our, our current programthat we work on internally.
We did some live events in May,um, where we did some live
podcast recordings.
So looking to do some more likecommunity building with creators
to get more input.
Um, and then, yeah, we, weproduce stuff for other people,
(26:37):
as I mentioned, working withsome nonprofits, some
universities to produce their,um, podcast.
But yeah, we are.
Very excited about the way thatcould be pretty cool.
News is letting us tell storiesabout other creators.
Kenny (26:53):
Yeah, I, uh, you know, as you were talking about, you were
mentioned about, you know,costume designers, you know,
people that are in differentelements of art.
Um, that that brought me back toYou know, just, uh, the
different ways I look for folksto support, you know, beyond
normal, for example, I'm not a,I'm not a music expert.
(27:15):
Um, I don't know how to playinstruments, right.
Um, and certain aspects.
And so far our intro song, youknow, I reached out to a
producer, right.
And so that was an example of,okay.
You know, whatever their, their,their service fee was like, I'm
willing to pay for that becausethen I know it's like, it's a
quality product.
They give me some options.
(27:36):
That's somebody, you know, asyou were thinking, like there's
different ways that this economyflows and the dollars flow in
and out of, you know, ourpockets, but in certain
instances, it, you know, thatdollar that you spend with the
creative, it definitely makessure that the economy grows even
further.
And then I'm able to besupported.
Um, my business is supported.
My podcast is supported with a,a quality song on that.
(27:59):
I don't have to worry aboutclearance and copyright and all
those good things because theydo a lot of that stuff for me.
Kacie (28:05):
Absolutely.
Kenny (28:06):
Introducing folks to that, I could see there's some
benefit for, for your listenersbecause then they can tap in
with those individuals.
Um, and that's definitelysomething I think that aligns in
it is along the same path thatwe're, we're going with beyond
normal as well.
Kacie (28:21):
Oh yeah.
You can clearly tell you're acreator conscious brand.
You have your logo designed, youhave design on, on your hat.
Like that is exactly the pointof what we're trying to
illustrate.
Like, again, you don't have tobe a content creator, Tik TOK
dancer, which is great.
We love.
Please get your bag, however youget it.
(28:41):
But the creator economy consistsof so many different types of
folks and we can plug in reallyin, in so many different types
of places for so many differenttypes of businesses.
So you demonstrate that with,with your brand.
Kenny (28:57):
I appreciate that.
Uh, one question I got to ask,um, I've asked quite a few
creatives that I've beeninterviewing, uh, recently.
Like, how do you look at, um,the, the, uh, the focus on AI
and I'll give you an example,right?
Um, you mentioned you were inthe theater.
Um, I, uh, I know that Disney,for example, right?
(29:21):
Like they've gone away from thesets where there's like
explosions everywhere and doingall these things, right?
So they have like this one bigass screen, if I can call it
that.
And then a lot of the stuffhappens in the background and
they can make it look like you.
It's actually real and it'shappening and there's this big,
you know, they're on acres andacres of land, but it's really
(29:41):
all happening in front of thisscreen.
Like, like, what are, what areyour thoughts around, uh, AI and
that sort of, That directionthat it's going, um, for
creatives like yourself and justothers that are coming up, like,
what, what, what does that mean?
What's the impact of, of seeingsome of these things, uh, come
to fruition?
Kacie (30:02):
Sure.
So I'm actually cautiouslyoptimistic about being team AI,
uh, as you mentioned earlier,um, using AI to do some of the
tasks that not necessarily thatI hate, but things like writing
show notes, for example, forepisodes, or even just, you
know, summarize this transcriptand pull out some good quotes
(30:23):
that could be used for a socialpromotion.
Like that's something that Couldhave taken hours.
Goodness, this time last yeareven.
And so, I think for creators, alot of those administrative
tasks, those repetitive tasks,having more time to actually do
stuff by using AI, um,definitely a plus.
(30:44):
Another on the plus column, Iactually just saw the Venice
Film Festival this year is doingan AI shorts competition.
And so it's, you can submit ashort film that's made with any
of the AI tools.
It can be all AI, hybrid.
And so there could be a kidright now in his bedroom.
Who has been dreaming of goingto a film festival, making a
(31:06):
film, but hasn't had the moneyor the funding or the support.
And it's like, Oh, but I canfigure this out.
And now this person has anopportunity to have their work
seen all over the world.
I think that for indie creatorswho don't have.
the resources to get their handson the fire and the, you know,
special effects pulled in.
(31:26):
AI could also be a great kind ofstarting off point to show
people, this is what I can dowith these tools that I have.
Now that you see that, like.
Maybe give me some more somemore bread.
I can show you really what I cando.
Um, but I would say most of mycautiousness, um really is more
about the I guess sort of bigcorporations aspirations with ai
(31:52):
so I you know, I recognize thatthe role of the corporation is
to make money for stakeholdersand if they can find a way to
Get rid of humans or replace YouThings that humans used to do
with AI.
They're going to do it to getmore money for stakeholders.
So I just hope that there isgoing to be a balance moving
(32:13):
forward with opportunities forindie folks and folks who are
already kind of in the industryto like, Keep their jobs.
Kenny (32:26):
Well said, um, I've heard, uh, similar pros and cons
from other creatives.
Uh, I, myself, I feel like I'm,I'm new to this space.
And so.
I'm more of a sponge.
And so I want to ask somebodylike you, who's really been
living this, uh, the, this lifefor quite some time.
What, what do you see from thepros and the cons?
Uh, but I completely agree withyou, right?
(32:47):
There's gotta be some balance.
Um, I can see, you know, in theforeseeable future, right.
There being a significant pushby consumers to see, um, indie,
indie, more indie products,projects, or just like see
something different.
Like there's only so manyshades.
I hate to harp on just this onebrand.
(33:08):
There's only so many costumes Iwant to see Mickey Mouse wear,
um, before we start to change itup and try to, all right, like,
what are the, what's the, what'sthe new version of that, um, for
the next, you know, generationthat's coming up?
Like, what are, who are thesecharacters that they're going to
be connected to?
It's okay if they're not thecharacters that I watch, right?
(33:29):
I think that's, that's, thatshould be something we're okay
with, uh, versus saying we'regoing to have the same
character, uh, be on all thecommercials and everything for a
hundred years straight.
I don't think that's reasonable.
So I'm excited to see those new,fresh ideas.
Like you said, those kids thatare coming up, how they leverage
the tool I'm already seeingwith, uh, My nephew and just my
(33:51):
little cousins, how theyleverage AI for some of the
graphics.
And they do some really coolthings that, um, I was not doing
at their age.
Kacie (33:59):
And that's what we have to remember.
Yeah.
When CDs were coming out, therewere people ahead of us like ill
CDs.
Tape is the only way to go.
You know, it's just, it's thenature of technology is going to
be another generation.
Growing up with a whole new setof tools to play with that is
going to completely blow ourminds.
Kenny (34:18):
Got it.
And so, uh, in closing, I wantto thank you so much, uh, Kacie,
for coming on, uh, just sharing,you know, a little bit about
your story.
Uh, folks can, can obviouslyfollow up, tell them, uh, I
guess two things, tell them howthey can connect with the brand.
What's the best way.
For them to stay, uh, you know,present and see, you know, uh,
what's coming along for, uh,could be pretty cool.
(34:40):
And then just the last thingcomment you want us to close out
on.
I'm going to make sure the flooris yours.
Let our, you know, whatever ourlisteners need to remember for
them from this conversation, letthem know what they need to take
away.
Kacie (34:53):
Sure thing.
So yes, you can find us at couldbe pretty cool.
com.
Um, at could be pretty cool onInstagram and LinkedIn.
And I guess any takeaway wouldbe don't do things that you
hate.
Of course, there's going to besome inevitable parts of running
a business that aren't alwaysgoing to be fun.
(35:15):
There's not always going to beeasy.
But building something that isyours, building something that
comes from you, shouldn't comefrom a place of like, suffering.
And this is a lot of do as Isay, not as I do.
Um, but yeah, don't do thingsthat you hate.
Why?
Life is, life is way too short.
Kenny (35:36):
Perfect way to end it.
Uh, thank you for coming onagain, Kacie.
And for our listeners, thanksfor tuning in to another great
episode of the beyond normalpodcast.
Peace.
Kacie (35:46):
Bye.
Uh,
Kenny (00:29):
Welcome.
Welcome everybody to anothergreat episode of the beyond
normal podcast.
I'm your host, Kenny groom.
Uh, we're going to get rightinto things.
Uh, we, we have somebody who isa fellow podcaster on, uh, they
have their own, uh, creativestudio.
Uh, but I just thought, youknow, with this season, season
six that we're in, we'reswitching things up.
(00:51):
Uh, founders are acrossdifferent industries.
And so I want to make sure thatI show some love.
So show some appreciation.
Appreciate it.
Uh, to fellow, uh, creators.
So without further ado, I'mgoing to bring up the founder of
Could Be Pretty Cool.
And her name is Kacie Luaders.
So without further ado, let's goahead and bring her on the
stage.
(01:11):
How's it going, Kacie?
Kacie (01:13):
Kenny.
Thanks so much for having me.
I'm excited to chat with you.
Kenny (01:16):
Yes, yes, yes.
Um, we're both living Uh,similar lives at this point, um,
from a creative perspective, butyou're, you know, the path that
you're taking, being a founder,starting something on your own,
that's unique to you.
So we want to make sure that ourguests, uh, get a good, uh, idea
of the journey that you've beenon to get to this point.
Uh, so could you just start usout?
(01:37):
Let us know a little bit before,uh, you started could be pretty
cool.
Like what were you doing?
Uh, were there any inclinationsto you being a founder prior to
you starting this company?
Kacie (01:48):
Absolutely.
So, could be pretty cool.
Formally started on paper inDecember of 2019, but we didn't
actually, like, become a thingthing until, I would say, May of
2020.
Before I knew what a podcast wasbefore I knew anything about the
industry or that I would be apart of it.
Um, I was working primarily inlive theater.
(02:10):
So both on the admin side, doingmarketing and fundraising for
nonprofit theaters here inAtlanta, and also on the audio
side.
So I did sound design fordifferent plays all throughout
the Metro Atlanta area.
And that's kind of what I did.
Um, circa.
April 2020 when all of the livetheater, uh, closed because of
(02:34):
the pandemic.
Um, I found myself with a lot ofextra time on my hands.
And fortunately that is alsowhen everyone started podcasts.
And I was like, Oh, guess wehave to do the pivot thing,
figure out how to continue.
eating food and living indoorsand that's kind of where it
could be pretty cool.
(02:55):
The company formalized and it's,it's part of what I've been
doing ever since.
Kenny (03:04):
I love that.
As you were speaking, youmentioned during the pandemic,
we all know what that did to theworld.
Um, but that's a weird time,right?
Because people are consuming somuch content, right?
But you being in the theaterspace, right?
There's, there's like thisreally big shift that needs to,
to happen.
(03:25):
while people are clamoring forcontent, you can't necessarily
go to the theater or go to thestage where you're used to
giving them that content.
Like talk a little bit aboutlike, how did that, like, how
did that feel?
Like, I don't, I I'm, I'm tryingto get a good idea, uh, a little
bit more of an idea of what youwere going through, because
(03:47):
again, the world was clamoringfor Netflix and chill, right?
The moments families were doingthis in mass.
Yeah.
But then here's somebody likeyou, who's creating content for
a living and you can'tnecessarily do it.
Kacie (04:00):
It was humbling.
Um, it was definitely humblingto see how quickly an entire
industry could disappear.
Because of circumstances beyondanyone's control.
I think that the theaterindustry did a really good job
of like figuring things out.
That's when we started seeingmore innovation with live
(04:22):
streams of performances or, youknow, some theaters were finding
ways to do maybe one personshows and just recording them.
And, you know, there was a lotof innovation going on,
including radio plays.
A lot of radio plays came back,a lot of like outdoor things
that people could drive, youknow, through and see people
(04:43):
outside on the stage performing.
Um, while it was really bizarreand frankly a little bit scary,
I will say that there was aspirit of that, that kind of
like the show must go on naturereally did, you know, kick in
for a lot of folks.
And so, There was also a lot ofinnovation and a lot of the
(05:04):
rules being thrown out of thewindow because no one had
experienced a time when weliterally could not gather
together and make work.
So it was, I guess, humblingwould really be the, the
sentiment I would stand on.
But also, like a lot of thingsduring that time, We figured out
(05:25):
things in a way that we neverwould have had to if we didn't
have these challengingcircumstances.
And I think a lot of that asentrepreneurs and creative
entrepreneurs is what we doevery day.
So, yeah.
Kenny (05:42):
Yeah.
There, there's some of that,like, uh, like that grit is
built into the journey as a, asa creative, right?
You, you have to really figurethings out as we, you know, most
people know, some may not know,like living as a creative,
right.
And that's, and that's your nineto five.
The pays aren't always.
(06:03):
You know what they should be.
And so you really do have tofigure things out.
And so some of that is builtinto your DNA, but I'm curious.
Um, from a entrepreneurperspective, like, did you have
any experiences with it prior tothe pandemic that may have
(06:23):
prepared you for this point thatyou're at now, where you, you
have this company, like yousaid, pen to paper, and now it's
a, uh, an official business outin the world that you're doing
things with.
Like, were there any experiencesprior to the pandemic, um, that
you, that you drew upon
Kacie (06:40):
Maybe none that I was aware of at the time.
I would say in my role as asound designer for theater, that
was freelance.
And so I was.
Contract, you're on a show 2 3months, then you're done, you
get your check, you move on tothe next thing.
And so, While I was doing thatfor like four or five years, I
(07:03):
guess I didn't connect thatlike, Oh, I as an independent
contractor am a small businessin a way.
Like if I don't show up and dothe work, I'm not going to get
more work.
And therefore me as a smallbusiness.
I'm not going to exist.
Um, that wasn't like, again,like consciously what I was
thinking, but that definitelyended up sort of weaving its way
(07:28):
when I became a business and,you know, went through the
secretary of state and got thebusiness license.
That is like, Oh, it's the samething.
Even though now I've moved on topodcasts.
If I don't deliver things ontime for a client, if I deliver
something that is not up to whatwe discussed or up to a
standard, I'm not going tocontinue working with this
(07:51):
client if, you know, I don'tshow up as my best self, if
we're not doing what we werehired to do.
We're not going to continue towork.
And so I think a lot of thatscrappy mentality as a
freelancer definitely likedrives me now, but I guess even
like in this interview, I didn'tmake the connection until like
(08:11):
just now, like, Oh yeah, I guessso, but I didn't know it.
Kenny (08:15):
and that, and that's okay.
Like, um, you know, there's,there's certain things that are
just embedded in our story,right.
And we were, you're moving, likeyou're figuring things out.
And then later on, maybe whenyou have some time to reflect.
You know, you start to likepiece things together.
Like, Oh yeah, that experiencedid help me out.
Um, you know, somewhat, I'mcurious, like you made this
(08:37):
decision to start something onyour own.
Typically people go to theirinner circle first, uh, family,
close friends, and they tellthem, I'm curious, like, what
was that experience?
Like, what was the feedback yougot?
Um, tell me yours and I'll bemore than happy to tell you, uh,
mine as well.
Kacie (08:57):
Sure.
So again, I think in my case, Iwas sitting in the house and at
the time I was staying with myparents because of like other
circumstances, but it all workedout cause you know, they
couldn't leave the house anyway.
Um, and so when I was like,yeah, I'm, I had participated in
2019 in a workshop sort ofbootcamp style program through
(09:21):
Spotify for women of color tolearn about podcasting.
And so.
That was really my firstentryway into learning about the
podcast industry, but I had nointentions of actually really
pursuing it as a career.
And so when I was like, yeah,I'm going to make podcasts now,
I'm going to try to license andsell podcasts and do work for
(09:43):
other people.
I think there was, because I'vealways been in the arts, a
little bit of like, Oh, this islike another, art school thing
that Kacie's doing.
Um, but it wasn't until theopportunity started popping up
and I was able to start, youknow, making a living off of
this, that my family especiallywas like Oh, I still don't know
(10:05):
what this is, but apparentlyit's a thing.
So yay.
Um, and I would definitely say,and I would love to learn about
your experience with this 2020.
So I would say maybe into 2021,beginning of 22, it felt like a.
Renaissance for indie creators.
It felt like there were moreopportunities to get heard and
(10:28):
seen and people were takingchances.
And so building a company atthat time, it was like, Oh, she
does appear to be succeeding andworking like this is great.
As things have sort of, um, I'llsay, uh, course corrected in the
podcast industry, I think thatthere, there tends to be on my
(10:49):
end like a little moreexplaining to do like, well, no,
I'm not doing the big majorshow, but I have this client or
I'm not doing, you know,something that I'm traveling
around the country, but I amstill doing stuff.
A little bit more of that'shappening now, but yeah, I will
be curious to know about yourorigin story.
And then also if you have anythoughts about like the way the
(11:13):
industry has shifted over thepast couple of years.
Kenny (11:16):
Yeah, for sure.
Um, it's really cool.
I just want to say being on witha, another podcaster,'cause they
asked me questions.
Uh, and it gives, it gives me achance to sit on the other side
of the, of the camera to, tosome extent for me it was, um,
the listeners have like, youknow, see me like give bits and
(11:36):
pieces of this, but I'lldefinitely try to put it
together concisely.
I was corporate America myentire life.
Um, majored in mathematics,worked at a lot of the big banks
here in Charlotte, NorthCarolina.
And so my whole career was justcareer guy, you wear a suit
every day, you know, stuff likethat.
And so I, the pandemic for mewas, you mentioned like this
(11:58):
renaissance.
It was this period for me oflike, it was refreshing for me
because I was like, well, I canstop wearing my suit now.
I don't have to, there's notthis expectation, like I'm going
into the office.
We're still doing thingsvirtually from a corporate
perspective, but I started tointeract with more and more
creatives.
Like you mentioned the creative,um, like that period, right?
(12:21):
That 2020, 2021.
And so it was really cool andrefreshing.
I connected with so manydifferent black people from
different walks of life thatthat was what drew me into like,
Hey, how do I like start tellingstories on my own?
Like, who can I connect with?
And I use the lens of, well, Icome from corporate America.
(12:45):
I want to focus on businessbecause I feel like that's where
I can add some value for folks,right?
Who, who I can frame it theright way.
Cause that's what I'm used to.
But I can still looking at allthese amazing black creatives
that I'm interacting with stillfeel, make it my own.
And so from those interactionson, uh, apps like clubhouse, all
(13:08):
kinds of different, justdifferent spaces.
Like I was on forums, I don'tknow why I was on the forums,
but it was just amazing.
I was connecting with again,black excellence across
different industries.
And so that's what made me say,Hey, you know what, like, even
if I do still do a nine to five.
This podcasting thing, I can,um, you know, build it out more.
(13:28):
And I think when I told my innercircle, they was like, Oh, this
is a hobby of Kenny's.
Right.
But then when I started to gofrom five episodes, 10 episodes,
20 to 30, 40.
Like even some of themafterwards came to me and they
was like, Oh yeah, I always sawyou doing something like this on
your own.
You're making it your own.
It's what you want to make it.
And they saw me doing thingslike this with my life.
(13:51):
And so, um, you know, at firstit was that blind just support.
Hey, I'll click on Kenny's linkon Facebook, Instagram, whatever
the social media outlet was.
Um, but then they started to seeI was more committed and I was
putting time and energy andmoney into it.
They, they, they started toembrace it a little bit more.
At times they still don't know,like, you know, the elders in my
(14:12):
family, they're not going tonecessarily, like you said,
they're just like, Oh, this isjust something Kenny's doing.
Um, and as long as Kenny's happydoing it, content, you know,
they're willing to support.
Kacie (14:23):
Absolutely.
Like two things that I just wantto put out and then I'm gonna
let you get back to yourinterview.
I'm sorry.
Um, number one, shout out toclubhouse.
Like I did not realize howinstrumental that was in that
like 2021 period of.
Still being able to network andto be able to network with
people who otherwise I neverwould have talked to or met.
(14:47):
And some are still folks wholike, I'm, you know, we've
worked together now we've beenon each other's projects.
We've like done stuff.
So I love that you mentionedclubhouse.
And then the second thing I lovethat you come from, from
corporate America.
I think that for some reason,still, In the creative
community.
There's still a lot of like ifyou're not doing this full time
(15:08):
That you're not serious about itor you're not No, we all again.
We need to eat.
We need to live indoors and noteveryone wants to make their
creative passion their projectsthe main thing that they're
doing to survive because It, itsometimes can feel like a chore.
And so for like peoplelistening, I want everyone to
(15:30):
feel valid in whatever theircreative path is.
If it is, I have my nine to fiveand I do my painting and go to
art shows on the weekends.
Or if it's, you know, I want tobe a full time painter and this
is all I ever want to do.
And I'm going to pursue thisfull time forever.
Everybody's journey is valid.
So just want to shout out thosepoints.
Kenny (15:51):
Great, great points.
Um, many founders, not very manyfounders specifically in, um,
Minority communities are goingto have that ability to go out
and just start their business.
And then, like you said, not,you know, not worry about paying
the bills and doing all theseother things.
And so it's just a natural partof it.
(16:11):
For most founders, um, you haveto juggle, it's a skill set
you're going to have to manage.
Um throughout your time foundingyour business while also making
sure you know, your your nucleusis secure And so I appreciate
you for for calling that outbecause that's something
Consistently i've heard uh fromthe founders that we've had on
is just you know balancing thatYou know family dynamic, you
(16:35):
know things that happen Whilepursuing your passion.
And then hopefully you get tothat point where that passion
project turns into a fullfledged business.
And you can just solely work onthat and be happy, uh, and
excited every single day, wakingup.
Uh, we, we know that that's,that's not always going to be
the case.
Uh, so
Kacie (16:53):
yeah.
Kenny (16:54):
talk to me a little bit about, uh, how the experience of
being a founder has been, um,from a learning perspective, you
mentioned being a creative, itsounds like you've been a
lifelong creative, so I'mcurious.
Like what are some of thosemoments of learning, um, that
you've had so far, um, as you'vebuilt out, uh, could be pretty
(17:15):
cool.
Kacie (17:17):
So I would say, uh, sticking with the, the humbling
theme, uh, some of the mosthumbling things I've had to
learn are creating things foryourself and creating things for
other people.
Meaning like someone hires youto make a thing for them.
Are not the same process andthat's fine.
(17:38):
And you have to deal with itearly.
I think some of my earliest gigsof like coming onto someone
else's show as an associateproducer or production
coordinator, um, I would come inwith the mentality of like, Oh,
well, I would do it this waybecause X and if the person in
charge is like, that's not howwe do it, we're not going to do
that.
(17:59):
I would take it very personally.
It's like the, well, why did youhire me then?
Well, you know, what am I evenhere for?
But I've come to the point nowwhere I'll just be like, okay,
I'm going to figure out some wayto document that I have given my
suggestions so that ultimatelyif something happens in the end,
I can't be like, I didn't try tosell you, but it's not my show.
(18:20):
And so I'm just here to supportyour show.
I'm just here to support yourwork, your narrative, and
ultimately being that personshowing up, doing the best for
other people, as I mentionedearlier, is how you get asked to
come back.
It's how you get recommended forthe next thing.
If you're showing up on otherpeople's stuff, trying to
dictate their world, they're notgoing to want you around.
(18:41):
They're not going to tell otherpeople about you.
So that was kind of learning.
Number one, learning number two,I guess.
Okay.
Business wise.
I mean, there's just so muchthat I went to school undergrad
for music and minored intheater.
I went to grad school for sound.
So my whole education has beenin the arts that whole time.
(19:02):
I maybe took a business class,but not a business class that
was specific for creatorbusinesses like that.
Wasn't a thing that existed.
And so just kind of therealities of this is, you know,
articles in corporation, youneed this kind of license to do
(19:23):
this.
This is how you separate yourmoney.
Don't still don't ask me a thingabout taxes.
Like my Lord, 2021 was the mosthumbling year financially for
me.
When I got that tax bill fromgetting all these 10 99s and I'm
like, we, I'm doing it.
Good Lord.
Um, so there's just a lot, Ithink of business one on one
(19:44):
proper that I unfortunately hadto learn by experiencing versus
someone saying, by the way, makesure you're setting aside.
X, y, Z dollars, you know, setup a quarterly payment system,
et cetera.
Um, and I would say the thirdthing that I'm really starting
to learn now is that I don'thave to do the things that I
(20:09):
hate.
I can, I can hire someone elseto do it.
And yes, that's always the tossup between, okay, I'm coming
outta my bag.
But again, that thing of like.
the thing that you love turninginto a chore is what I'm trying
to avoid.
Contrary to popular belief, evenif you work for yourself, you
(20:30):
can burn out.
And because we often don't havethe same type of like, okay,
nine to five done.
Okay.
Saturday, Sunday, I'm notworking kind of filters around
us.
We can probably burn out fasterworking for ourselves.
And so You know, we're headinginto year five.
I've just recently been like, Ihate editing.
(20:52):
I really do.
I know someone who's really goodat it.
I'm going to just have to paythem to do it for me rather than
hate my life all week, you know?
So yeah, I would say those arethe three biggest learnings for
me so far.
And, but learning every singleday, seriously.
Kenny (21:10):
Yeah, you just dropped some gems there.
Um, I'm not going to touch onall three.
I will just say, um, amazing,uh, feedback and taxes.
You are not alone.
Uh, I'm scared to do taxes on myown or touch any document that
has to do with taxes.
And so I can imagine, um,looking at 10 99s.
(21:31):
I've done that before as well.
Uh, through my business and, uh,it can get muddy, uh, very
quickly and you can end upowning, um, Uncle Sam, a lot of
money.
So, uh, commend you for goingthrough that experience and
you're here today.
Um, and so, uh, you know, thatmeans things are progressing,
uh, quite nicely, but appreciateyou being transparent.
(21:54):
I think there's always, youknow, parts of the business,
right.
Unless we've actually gonethrough the experience of
running our business, a businessbefore.
Right.
There's going to be parts that,um, that are going to be
learning experiences for us.
You mentioned the parts.
Why do stuff that you hate?
Uh, that's something that I feellike is one of like my, I don't
(22:14):
want to call it a commandmentsof life, but that is where I'm
at in this point in my life.
Definitely not trying to do toomany things that I hate.
And if there's a AI robot outthere that I'll do it, or a
human being who enjoys doing it,uh, I'm usually willing to pay.
For that service, um, and youtouched on something there.
(22:35):
Um, there's this, uh, there'sthis consistent theme I'm
hearing as I'm talking tofounders, specifically in the
creator space, um, around justlike B2B businesses that support
creators, you know, the creatoreconomy.
Um, I'm always interested in,I'm always plugging, uh, for
those who are listening, whodon't have a business yet, if
you want to support creatives.
(22:56):
We have a creative here, uh,Kacie, who just told you there's
parts of her business that she'slooking to not do, and she's
willing to, you know, havesomebody partner with.
And B2B specifically is a spacewhere I don't think there's
enough.
Founders, but I'm hoping that,you know, over the next couple
of years, we see somewhat of acourse correction there, uh,
(23:16):
specifically for the creatoreconomy.
Kacie (23:20):
I hope so, too.
Just want to say that.
Okay,
Kenny (23:23):
Yeah.
Yeah.
So, you know, um, one of thetaglines I saw online for, uh,
could be pretty cool.
Uh, you're producing unique, uh,creative experiences on that
inspire community buildingthrough the arts.
And so I want, I want you totell folks a little bit, About
like what's currently like, youknow, on the docket for the
(23:43):
company, like, what can theyexpect to see as they, you know,
they engage with the brand and,um, you know, just what, what
can they look forward to, uh,you know, coming from, uh, your
media production company.
And I know you're doing a wholehost of things, but you know,
and, you know, if I were tolabel it one thing, I would
definitely say you're a mediacompany, but, you know, just
(24:04):
give folks a little idea as theyconnect with your brand, what,
what they can look forward to.
Kacie (24:09):
sure thing.
So right now we are expandingour coverage on could be pretty
cool news, which is our flagshippodcast that actually is all
about creative entrepreneurship.
So on every episode we interviewsomeone who works as either a
researcher or an academic orecosystem builder, an expert in
(24:32):
some way.
Um, about the creator economy,just because, you know, a lot of
times when we hear creatoreconomy, the first thing people
think about is like, Oh, youknow, A TikToker with 20 million
followers who makes a living offof brand deals.
Like, yes, that is a type ofperson in the creator economy,
but most people, they're, theylook like us.
(24:52):
They're folks who do this as apassion.
They do this as a thing they'retrying to grow.
They do this in the trenches foryears and years before that big
opportunity comes, if it evercomes realistically.
And so.
We want to be more consciousabout actually talking about the
data and the numbers and thetrends and the research as more
(25:13):
of these conversations arestarting to be had conversations
like those that are had on yourprogram.
Um, this is relatively newhearing founders in different
spaces, just talk about how theygot started or, you know, hot
takes or things that they'velearned.
Um, and so we feature an expertand we feature a narrative
strategist.
(25:34):
Story from a creator or anindependent artist basically
just like tell us your story.
How did you get started?
What are things that you learnedagain?
Just to continue putting outinto the ecosystem content about
realness about creators.
And so, um, we featured costumedesigners.
(25:55):
We featured, uh, uh, composers.
We featured, uh, Comedians, um,folks who are working in the
arts and creative fields.
And we really are just like,tell us how you are doing it.
Tell us what you would wantsomeone to tell you five years
ago.
(26:16):
Um, and so.
That is our, our current programthat we work on internally.
We did some live events in May,um, where we did some live
podcast recordings.
So looking to do some more likecommunity building with creators
to get more input.
Um, and then, yeah, we, weproduce stuff for other people,
(26:37):
as I mentioned, working withsome nonprofits, some
universities to produce their,um, podcast.
But yeah, we are.
Very excited about the way thatcould be pretty cool.
News is letting us tell storiesabout other creators.
Kenny (26:53):
Yeah, I, uh, you know, as you were talking about, you were
mentioned about, you know,costume designers, you know,
people that are in differentelements of art.
Um, that that brought me back toYou know, just, uh, the
different ways I look for folksto support, you know, beyond
normal, for example, I'm not a,I'm not a music expert.
(27:15):
Um, I don't know how to playinstruments, right.
Um, and certain aspects.
And so far our intro song, youknow, I reached out to a
producer, right.
And so that was an example of,okay.
You know, whatever their, their,their service fee was like, I'm
willing to pay for that becausethen I know it's like, it's a
quality product.
They give me some options.
(27:36):
That's somebody, you know, asyou were thinking, like there's
different ways that this economyflows and the dollars flow in
and out of, you know, ourpockets, but in certain
instances, it, you know, thatdollar that you spend with the
creative, it definitely makessure that the economy grows even
further.
And then I'm able to besupported.
Um, my business is supported.
My podcast is supported with a,a quality song on that.
(27:59):
I don't have to worry aboutclearance and copyright and all
those good things because theydo a lot of that stuff for me.
Kacie (28:05):
Absolutely.
Kenny (28:06):
Introducing folks to that, I could see there's some
benefit for, for your listenersbecause then they can tap in
with those individuals.
Um, and that's definitelysomething I think that aligns in
it is along the same path thatwe're, we're going with beyond
normal as well.
Kacie (28:21):
Oh yeah.
You can clearly tell you're acreator conscious brand.
You have your logo designed, youhave design on, on your hat.
Like that is exactly the pointof what we're trying to
illustrate.
Like, again, you don't have tobe a content creator, Tik TOK
dancer, which is great.
We love.
Please get your bag, however youget it.
(28:41):
But the creator economy consistsof so many different types of
folks and we can plug in reallyin, in so many different types
of places for so many differenttypes of businesses.
So you demonstrate that with,with your brand.
Kenny (28:57):
I appreciate that.
Uh, one question I got to ask,um, I've asked quite a few
creatives that I've beeninterviewing, uh, recently.
Like, how do you look at, um,the, the, uh, the focus on AI
and I'll give you an example,right?
Um, you mentioned you were inthe theater.
Um, I, uh, I know that Disney,for example, right?
(29:21):
Like they've gone away from thesets where there's like
explosions everywhere and doingall these things, right?
So they have like this one bigass screen, if I can call it
that.
And then a lot of the stuffhappens in the background and
they can make it look like you.
It's actually real and it'shappening and there's this big,
you know, they're on acres andacres of land, but it's really
(29:41):
all happening in front of thisscreen.
Like, like, what are, what areyour thoughts around, uh, AI and
that sort of, That directionthat it's going, um, for
creatives like yourself and justothers that are coming up, like,
what, what, what does that mean?
What's the impact of, of seeingsome of these things, uh, come
to fruition?
Kacie (30:02):
Sure.
So I'm actually cautiouslyoptimistic about being team AI,
uh, as you mentioned earlier,um, using AI to do some of the
tasks that not necessarily thatI hate, but things like writing
show notes, for example, forepisodes, or even just, you
know, summarize this transcriptand pull out some good quotes
(30:23):
that could be used for a socialpromotion.
Like that's something that Couldhave taken hours.
Goodness, this time last yeareven.
And so, I think for creators, alot of those administrative
tasks, those repetitive tasks,having more time to actually do
stuff by using AI, um,definitely a plus.
(30:44):
Another on the plus column, Iactually just saw the Venice
Film Festival this year is doingan AI shorts competition.
And so it's, you can submit ashort film that's made with any
of the AI tools.
It can be all AI, hybrid.
And so there could be a kidright now in his bedroom.
Who has been dreaming of goingto a film festival, making a
(31:06):
film, but hasn't had the moneyor the funding or the support.
And it's like, Oh, but I canfigure this out.
And now this person has anopportunity to have their work
seen all over the world.
I think that for indie creatorswho don't have.
the resources to get their handson the fire and the, you know,
special effects pulled in.
(31:26):
AI could also be a great kind ofstarting off point to show
people, this is what I can dowith these tools that I have.
Now that you see that, like.
Maybe give me some more somemore bread.
I can show you really what I cando.
Um, but I would say most of mycautiousness, um really is more
about the I guess sort of bigcorporations aspirations with ai
(31:52):
so I you know, I recognize thatthe role of the corporation is
to make money for stakeholdersand if they can find a way to
Get rid of humans or replace YouThings that humans used to do
with AI.
They're going to do it to getmore money for stakeholders.
So I just hope that there isgoing to be a balance moving
(32:13):
forward with opportunities forindie folks and folks who are
already kind of in the industryto like, Keep their jobs.
Kenny (32:26):
Well said, um, I've heard, uh, similar pros and cons
from other creatives.
Uh, I, myself, I feel like I'm,I'm new to this space.
And so.
I'm more of a sponge.
And so I want to ask somebodylike you, who's really been
living this, uh, the, this lifefor quite some time.
What, what do you see from thepros and the cons?
Uh, but I completely agree withyou, right?
(32:47):
There's gotta be some balance.
Um, I can see, you know, in theforeseeable future, right.
There being a significant pushby consumers to see, um, indie,
indie, more indie products,projects, or just like see
something different.
Like there's only so manyshades.
I hate to harp on just this onebrand.
(33:08):
There's only so many costumes Iwant to see Mickey Mouse wear,
um, before we start to change itup and try to, all right, like,
what are the, what's the, what'sthe new version of that, um, for
the next, you know, generationthat's coming up?
Like, what are, who are thesecharacters that they're going to
be connected to?
It's okay if they're not thecharacters that I watch, right?
(33:29):
I think that's, that's, thatshould be something we're okay
with, uh, versus saying we'regoing to have the same
character, uh, be on all thecommercials and everything for a
hundred years straight.
I don't think that's reasonable.
So I'm excited to see those new,fresh ideas.
Like you said, those kids thatare coming up, how they leverage
the tool I'm already seeingwith, uh, My nephew and just my
(33:51):
little cousins, how theyleverage AI for some of the
graphics.
And they do some really coolthings that, um, I was not doing
at their age.
Kacie (33:59):
And that's what we have to remember.
Yeah.
When CDs were coming out, therewere people ahead of us like ill
CDs.
Tape is the only way to go.
You know, it's just, it's thenature of technology is going to
be another generation.
Growing up with a whole new setof tools to play with that is
going to completely blow ourminds.
Kenny (34:18):
Got it.
And so, uh, in closing, I wantto thank you so much, uh, Kacie,
for coming on, uh, just sharing,you know, a little bit about
your story.
Uh, folks can, can obviouslyfollow up, tell them, uh, I
guess two things, tell them howthey can connect with the brand.
What's the best way.
For them to stay, uh, you know,present and see, you know, uh,
what's coming along for, uh,could be pretty cool.
(34:40):
And then just the last thingcomment you want us to close out
on.
I'm going to make sure the flooris yours.
Let our, you know, whatever ourlisteners need to remember for
them from this conversation, letthem know what they need to take
away.
Kacie (34:53):
Sure thing.
So yes, you can find us at couldbe pretty cool.
com.
Um, at could be pretty cool onInstagram and LinkedIn.
And I guess any takeaway wouldbe don't do things that you
hate.
Of course, there's going to besome inevitable parts of running
a business that aren't alwaysgoing to be fun.
(35:15):
There's not always going to beeasy.
But building something that isyours, building something that
comes from you, shouldn't comefrom a place of like, suffering.
And this is a lot of do as Isay, not as I do.
Um, but yeah, don't do thingsthat you hate.
Why?
Life is, life is way too short.
Kenny (35:36):
Perfect way to end it.
Uh, thank you for coming onagain, Kacie.
And for our listeners, thanksfor tuning in to another great
episode of the beyond normalpodcast.
Peace.
Kacie (35:46):
Bye.
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