Meet Trailblazer Kaitlin McMullen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlin McMullen.

So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My life currently consists of hustling at my dream job, pursuing my adventure enthusiast side hustles and capturing all of the aesthetics!

Having been born in a time in history where millennials end and genZ begins, I have had the honor to grow up in a culture where technology has reinvented human communication. Due to this innovation, I have found my calling for documenting the memories through cinematography, photography and writing. I am able to share my voice, perspective & mindset on a global scale thanks to social media.

The popular platform YouTube was a creative outlet that helped me discover my love for video production at the age of 12. Growing up as a teen I carried my camera around with me to vlog all my adventures as a hobby and created my personal brand known as “Kaitlin Rayne Films.”

At the age of 17, I had a realization that I want to take this hobby into a more serious route. I took action to build a professional portfolio, seek mentors, took a TV/Video Production course and intentionally pursued documenting inspiring events that were important to me. I had the honor of working with nonprofits such as the American Cancer Society, Rally For Life, Tim Tebow Foundation and Close to My Heart Photography.

For two years, I grew my professional portfolio on my Instagram pursuing freelance videography/photography. Thank goodness 17-year-old Kaitlin set myself up for success professionally because an opportunity of a lifetime was curated through Instagram. At the age of 19, the Denver & Minneapolis based video production company, Mighteor (founded by THE badass entrepreneur Liz Giorgi) reached out to me for an internship opportunity. Mighteor is one of the world’s first full-service internet production companies. They’ve had the honor of creating videos for Facebook, Adobe, Microsoft, Target, CableLabs & other amazing brands. It was an absolute privilege to be part of this team and journey with Mighteor. However, this journey did not end here.

My badass bosses Liz Giorgi & Hayley Anderson ideated bigger better plans for content creation. They wanted to create a company that allowed quality content accessible, affordable and available for all! September of 2018 the concept of soona studios was birthed into this world. soona is a same-day fast-casual content experience! This means we have the crew, space, & equipment – we content brands with photo & video needs come to us with their content dreams and we make it a reality. The best part is you get your content in 24 hours!

Liz, Hayley, the Mighteor & soona team hustled our way to make soona studios a reality in 2019. We opened our first retail studio in Denver in April 2019 and second in Minneapolis May 2019.

It is an absolute blessing of how my hobbies have set me up for success for this dream career opportunity.

I currently work full time at soona assisting the leadership, studio staff, and clients. I manage all of soona social medias, vlog channel, and the hype at soona (I’ve adopted the title as ‘soona’s professional hype girl’).

I’ve been learning so much about how to actively follow my dreams that I have new dream of helping others follow their own! Here is the essential wisdom I live by:

1. Seek & speak the reality you want to live into existence
2. Say yes & take action towards opportunities
3. Never give up – hard work, dedication, and consistency are the key to success
4. Verbalize and write down your gratitude

I’d LOVE to share a gift to all Voyage reader to try out the soona experience at our Denver location:

Use code “Kaitlin” to get your first photo or video free!

The grind isn’t going to stop! I’m continuing to keep going and growing! Hyped for the future!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road that lead me to all my opportunities was not always easy. It took a lot of hard work, dedicated, consistency, and perseverance through self-doubt.

To My Fellow Young Female GenZ’s Here Actionable Steps that Have Helped me Grow & Seek Opportunities:
-100 Day Challenge (promise yourself to consistently to what makes you fulfilled)
Ex: As a filmmaker & photographer I made a promise to myself that I would post new art & media content on my socials to help build my professional portfolio
-Further your education as much as possible
Ex: My education set me up for success – I would not be taken as seriously as my age if I did not have my background in marketing, business, communication, and production
-Verbalize and write down your gratitude
Ex: Gratitude opens us doors to happiness and opportunity. It’s a change reaction of positivity that makes you feel good and maintains a healthy mental state.

We’d love to hear more about soona.
At soona, I specialize in full-time marketing where I get to film & edit YouTube videos, social media posts, write blogs, produce events at our retail locations and an asset to help with anything/everything the leadership, studio staff, or client’s needs!

When I’m not in the soona studio you can find me pursuing my adventure enthusiast side hustles exploring national parks, rooftops or in Canada. 🌟

I specialize in astrophotography by chasing the milky way in various locations!

We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
The most beautiful, motivating, and inspiring aspect of soona studios is that is co-founded by two amazing women, Liz Giorgi & Hayley Anderson. These two ladies are living in a Venn diagram of impossible at the moment!

Fun fact: Only 2% of companies backed by venture capital this year will be female-founded. Liz & Hayley are living in that 2%. Not only do they want to make fast-casual content affordable, accessible and available to all, Liz & Hayley also on a mission to change the culture and conversation around gender equity in entrepreneurship.

We are a feminist AF brand and working hard to change the gender norms for future young females.

We are on the mission to reinvent the photo & video industry for the better and are seeking to open up new opportunities through to creative people to thrive in a team, salaried, and with benefits.

We are on the mission to break down any and all of these barriers!

Pricing:

• soona menu: $39 photos & $93 video clips

Contact Info:

• Address: 1235 S. Broadway Denver, Colorado 80210
• Website: soona.co
• Phone: (303) 748-7743
• Email: denver@soona.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soonastudios/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soonastudios/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/soonastudios
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/soona/?viewAsMember=true

Image Credit:
@soonastudios #shotatsoona

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