7 Lessons from 7 Years in Business from CEO Jen Proctor
7 Lessons from 7 Years in Business from CEO Jen Proctor
In January, Cultivated Entertainment celebrated its 7-year anniversary. What began as simply an idea is now a bi-coastal, dynamic company that has taken on projects all over the world, worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment. Far from the 7-year itch, we’re actually feeling more grounded and ambitious than ever, and there’s plenty that lies ahead. So, to mark the anniversary, Jen shared 7 of the biggest lessons she’s learned from her time at the helm of Cultivated Entertainment. While some of these are most pertinent to the entertainment industry, the knowledge and her outlook are universally relatable and inspiring.
Don’t Work Hard, Work Harder
The entertainment industry is arguably one of the most competitive industries. For good reason — entertainment is sexy, it’s fun, it’s vivacious. There’s always a line out the door of people wanting to get their foot in that door. So, whether you’re starting out your career, or you’re at the top of your game, I truly believe it’s about working harder each day. Beat your own precedent. That’s what’s going to differentiate you. Always show up. Always work hard. Always put in that extra mile.
Have Fun
At the end of the day, this is entertainment. We are entertaining people. There are so many other jobs and sectors of careers that are far more serious than ours. I believe that if you don’t love what you do and you’re not having fun doing it, then why do it?
Kindness and Patience Are Invaluable
One thing to always remember is that everyone is human. We all have lives outside of our work and baggage that we carry from things that have happened in our past. We can be dealing with situations that no one in our professional sphere knows that we’re dealing with. So, I believe that when you lead with kindness, compassion, understanding, and patience, you will receive that on the other end. It just makes for better relationships across the board — open, honest, and authentic relationships.
Always Remember Those Who Believe In You
There are always going to be people who will shut the door in your face. Wherever you are in your career, that is just the nature of this industry. But it is also a very small industry, and when you find those people who believe in you and support you and lift you up, those are the people that you want to keep in your life. You always want to remain grateful for them because those people and the doors they open are the things that really matter.
Money Isn’t The Only Thing of Value
There’s two main reasons that you could take on a client or work on a project — either passion or money. I believe that when you’re working on something that you’re passionate about, inspired by, and proud to be a part of, that’s going to fulfill you in so many more ways than a huge paycheck. Don’t get me wrong, money makes the world go round — so they say — but it’s not just about chasing the dollars. It should always be about chasing what fuels you and what ignites you.
Surround Yourself with People You Can Rely On
Life is unexpected. You can be the hardest working person and have everything in order and life will constantly throw you curveballs. What I have learned and continue to focus on now is building a team that can lean on each other. When one person is sick, or out, or dealing with something, it’s no big deal. We all step up and we help carry the work and the weight for that person — on both a professional and a personal level. When you can rely on others and they can rely on you, it just makes for better relationships and a happier work environment … and thus, better work quality.
Don’t Forget to Smile
Days can get very long and things can feel very stressful and very urgent. Take a second every once in a while to pinch yourself and just acknowledge where you are, what you’ve accomplished, and where you want to go. Be grateful for all the opportunities that have come your way. Happy people want to work with happy people — there’s nothing that can change the energy in the room like someone who authentically brings a smile.