KISS FILMS 💋’s Post

Day 6: Shooting my shot for an opportunity to pitch my business to an investor. 🚀 Every great idea starts with a problem. For me, that problem was seeing how social media, while connecting us, often leaves creatives feeling undervalued, overwhelmed, or unseen. That’s where TheGalleryCreatives comes in—a platform designed to celebrate creativity, not compete with it. A safe, positive space for artists, designers, photographers, writers (and every creative in between) to showcase their work and connect with people who truly value it. But building a startup isn’t just about the vision—it’s about execution. It’s about putting in the work every single day to turn that vision into something tangible, impactful, and scalable. I know this journey won’t be easy, but nothing worth building ever is. So here I am, sharing my journey daily, because I believe in shooting my shot. In my journey to becoming a pharmacist, I faced multiple setbacks. I failed college. I failed my third year of university. At those moments, I was broken, shattered—but my character wouldn’t let me give up. I kept pushing, determined to rewrite my story, and eventually, I got to reap the rewards of my hard work. That same drive is what I pour into building TheGalleryCreatives every single day. I’ve learnt that resilience isn’t about avoiding failure; it’s about showing up, again and again, no matter how hard the fall. 📩 Chris@thegallerycreatives.com

Big dreams often start with small projects. Think of each creative project like a tiny seed – it may not look like much at first, but with the right care, it can grow into something amazing. Our 15-Day Creative Challenge is all about nurturing those small ideas and turning them into big wins. Just 15 minutes a day, starting September 15, to focus on small, manageable projects that lead to major creative breakthroughs. Remember, it’s the little things that set the stage for greatness. Ready to plant the seeds of your next big idea? Join the challenge and watch your creativity blossom! https://lnkd.in/eJn343WJ #SmallStepsBigDreams #CreativeChallenge #StartSmall #GrowBig #creative #creativechallenge

Big dreams often start with small projects. Think of each creative project like a tiny seed – it may not look like much at first, but with the right care, it can grow into something amazing. Our 15-Day Creative Challenge is all about nurturing those small ideas and turning them into big wins. Just 15 minutes a day, starting September 15, to focus on small, manageable projects that lead to major creative breakthroughs. Remember, it’s the little things that set the stage for greatness. Ready to plant the seeds of your next big idea? Join the challenge and watch your creativity blossom! https://lnkd.in/eJn343WJ #SmallStepsBigDreams #CreativeChallenge #StartSmall #GrowBig #creative #creativechallenge

This creator turned his brand into a $10M empire by breaking the rules. 🚀 It’s about trust, disruption, and giving back to the underdog. Want to know how he did it? Start thinking like a media company, not just a business.

As the founder of Shotwot and Kridha Films, head of production at Creatigo, and an MIT Institute of Design alumnus, he has seamlessly blended entrepreneurial vision with creative leadership, producing impactful content across diverse platforms. With over a decade immersed in the exciting worlds of entrepreneurship and media production, he has donned various hats – from steering diverse teams as an executive producer for feature films to tackling challenges with problem-solving finesse. Beyond the cameras and boardrooms, he’s an avid admirer of the intricate artistry of poetry and the adrenaline rush that comes with a gripping cricket match. These passions infuse his creativity and keep his spirit buzzing outside the hustle and bustle of the industry. Being part of the backstage magic, orchestrating teams, and witnessing stories unfold through the lens has been an incredible journey for him. He takes pride in crafting compelling narratives and bringing them to life on the big screen. Whether it’s cracking the code on a production puzzle or embracing the responsibility of ensuring top-notch content delivery, he thrives in problem-solving scenarios and prides himself on being a dependable team player. He finds joy in building bridges and fostering connections. Relationships are the cornerstone of what he does – weaving networks, nurturing collaborations, and creating resonating stories that leave an impact. #Seekers2024 #EntrepreneurSymposium #ExpertSpeaker #EntrepreneurInMedia #CreativeLeadership #ContentProduction #FilmProduction #StorytellingMaster #BuildingConnections

PERFECT YOUR PITCH AT THE 2025 SXSW CONFERENCE Learn from hundreds of forward-thinking panels and presentations, plus dozens of awe-inspiring Featured Speakers and Keynotes at the 2025 SXSW Conference, scheduled March 7-13 in Austin. Understand specific topics covered at SXSW by browsing these regular LinkedIn posts. Whether you an entrepreneur or any other kind of creative professional, pitching is an important skill that you need to master. Read below about five compelling SXSW 2025 sessions that focus on this topic. How to Create Your Perfect Pitch: From intern to CEO, we all have one thing in common: we have an idea in our heads, and now we must get it out. We need to sell it. We’re going to have to pitch it. But how do you make your pitch clear, exciting, and most importantly, stand out and get sold? Join a former Vice President of Creative for Walt Disney Imagineering, to learn how! https://lnkd.in/gVYcDbB5 Last Night A DJ Saved My Pitch: Great DJing and great pitching/presenting have a lot in common. Using a live DJ set as the guide to an interactive talk, Kit Altin will guide you through the shared techniques of brilliant DJing and pitching/presenting, from seamless transitions to finding your rhythm, from building anticipation to surprising your crowd. https://lnkd.in/gZ9t4FPW Pitching to Angels 101: Think Like an Investor: In this interactive session, founders will reverse roles, evaluating pitches from companies the Central Texas Angel Network has funded—as well as those we’ve passed on, using CTAN’s processes. You’ll vote on which companies should receive investment and compare your decisions with CTAN’s actual investment choices. https://lnkd.in/ght8syQe SXSW Pitch 2025: Showcasing more than 50 of the world's most impressive early-stage startups, SXSW Pitch highlights innovative new technology to a panel of industry experts, high-profile media professionals, venture capital investors, and angels. Finalists for the 2025 competition will be announced in early January https://lnkd.in/gE2hcVPK Women Founders & Investors Meet Up: This meet up will begin with networking and conversation about best practices and key resources as founders. Then a select group of founders will give pitches, and we’ll do a networking match up with interested investors. https://lnkd.in/gsXFVtF5 Browse the full lineup of content for the 2025 SXSW Conference at schedule.sxsw.com Take part in all these amazing sessions as well as unparalleled networking by registering now for next year's installment of March Magic. sxsw.com/attend #SXSW, #sxsw2025, #pitch, #pitching, #startup, #entrepreneur, Chris Valentine, #founderstories, #founders, Paul Osterhout, Kit Altin, Gary Forni, Katie Russel, Priya K., Central Texas Angel Network, #investors, #pitchcompetition, #shark, #sharktank, #MarchMagic, #Austin, #ATX, #funding, #funds, Jacqui Smith, #perfectpitch

🔥 Introducing Cooth Hot Takes! 🔥 At Cooth, we’re not just consultants. We’re creators. We’re disruptors. We’re problem solvers with a bold point of view. That's why we're launching Cooth Hot Takes—a no-fluff, brand-led series where our team spills the tea on all things brand, marketing, and GTM. Expect us to keep it real, get a little heated, and, most importantly, challenge what you think you know about building brands that resonate and scale. The plan? Each Monday we'll share our unsolicited opinion on the myths, missteps, and messy mistakes that are holding brands back—because in this game, it’s either make waves or stay still. Follow along, and tag any friends who need to hear this 👀 🔥 #CoothHotTakes #MondayDoesntHavetoSuck #StartupGTM #MarketingInsights #BrandStrategy

💫 How do you know it's time for a rebrand? Is it really starting again from scratch? How do you make sure it builds on the work you've already put in? ⚡ Rebranding is full of tricky questions, but it's also a great way to empower your future. 🥙 Appetise co-founders Elise Hilliam and Toby Hilliam (Skilton) talk about their rebranding journey from MenuAid, including how they knew they needed it and how they brought customers on the journey with them. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gznfd7m3 Previously Unavailable Simon Pound Icehouse Ventures Mason Bleakley

12 years ago, I started my first company. It was an immersive media company that created location-based storytelling experiences. I caught the founder bug — hard. Since then, I’ve collaborated with and invested capital and creative capital into hundreds of founders all in the earliest stages of their journey. When the company was still nascent, idea seemed strange, but founders dreamed big. Today I’m on my journey of building my second company doubling down on the founder bug I caught 12 years ago. A firm that would serve ambitious, creative, thoughtful founders building the future. A few reflections from my current founding journey: 1. You’ll always remember your first believers. Committed capital is catalytic, and the energy from high conviction capital can be electric. 2. Momentum is everything. Keep the ball rolling— even at slow moments. It will pick up speed at some point. 3. There are more people rooting for you than you think. Remember that when you’re getting No’s. 4. If you’re crazy enough to be founding something in this tough fundraising climate, you really want to do it. Do it.

Starting Concepts Wizard was more than just launching a business—it was a deeply personal journey of turning a dream into reality. When I first began, it was just me, a laptop, and a vision. I wanted to build something meaningful, but the path wasn’t always clear. The creative industry is vast, and I often questioned if I could carve out a space for myself. But what kept me going was my belief in the power of purposeful design. I knew that I didn’t just want to create beautiful visuals—I wanted to build brands that truly resonate with their audiences. The early days were tough. I faced rejection, doubt, and the pressure of doing it all on my own. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, wondering if I’d ever see the fruits of my labor. But every setback was a chance to learn and grow. I became more resilient, more determined to succeed. Slowly, Concepts Wizard began to take shape. The first few projects were small, but they were everything to me. As word spread and our client base grew, I realized I couldn’t do it alone anymore. That’s when I started building a team—people who shared my vision and passion for empowering brands. Today, we’re a collective of creative minds, each bringing something unique to the table. Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come. What started as a solo venture has evolved into a thriving agency, and I’m grateful for every challenge and triumph along the way. Concepts Wizard is more than just a business to me—it’s a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and believing in your vision. #journey #growth