Telling Stories that Matter: How I Pursued My Passion for Entrepreneurship and Social Impact through a Directed Study
As I entered my second year of the MBA program at Goizueta Business School, I met with my Executive-in-Residence (EiR), David Kyle, who I was fortunate to have access to as a Social Enterprise Fellow with the Business & Society Institute. The Social Enterprise Fellows Program recognizes students demonstrating both a deep interest in social impact and commitment to addressing complex challenges confronting people today. I expressed to David that I wanted to be intentional about using my time to gain more exposure to entrepreneurship, and more specifically, through a social impact lense and working with female founders. This led to David’s introduction to an experienced Atlanta-based writer, director, producer duo, LaLa Halsema and Carrie Schrader. Together their goal was to create films grounded in a love and respect for humanity that entertain, connect and challenge audiences towards hope. Their first film, which they had already written, would be This I Know. To bring the film to life they needed somebody with business acumen to create a budget and build an investment plan. That’s where I came in!
Discovering the Power of Narratives and Independent Films
This I Know is a unique feature film blending a narrative storyline about a woman’s search for empowerment and community with real-life spiritual leader interactions. The interactions have a profound effect on her as she struggles with beliefs about sexism, racism, and homophobia in her church and community that conflict with her own personal beliefs. Ultimately, throughout the film she is guided towards a new perspective about what a healthy community looks like for her and her family. The goal of This I Know is to recenter ourselves, our communities, and our society in love, connection, and goodness. LaLa and Carrie want to bring people together who are experiencing or have experienced questioning the belief system they are in. They want people, especially women, LGBTQ+ and others who have been marginalized, to know they are loved, valued and not alone.
Learning the Art of a Film through a Business Lens
When I first started working with LaLa and Carrie, I was stepping into completely new territory. I had no prior experience in the film industry, but my belief in the movie’s powerful message and the story it aimed to share motivated me to dive in headfirst. This project became an eye-opening journey into the world of filmmaking and storytelling. I quickly learned creating an independent film is like launching a startup; it involves developing a unique story, planning meticulously, and securing funding. Just as a startup needs a business plan to attract investors, an independent filmmaker must prepare a detailed production schedule, budget and investment plan to convince backers of the project’s viability and potential success. From script development to production logistics, every step requires careful attention and collaboration. Working with LaLa and Carrie, who have a wealth of experience and a clear vision for the film, was incredibly educational. Their passion for the project and their commitment to authentic storytelling were inspiring and helped me understand the importance of every detail as we crafted the budget and investment plan. The budget and investment plan would serve as the foundation for discussion with potential investors.
Looking Ahead to Bring This I Know to Life
As of today, the script, budget and investment plan for the full feature-length film of This I Know are complete. This I Know is raising $1.7 million with no minimum investment requirement and individuals can make an equity investment or a tax-deductible donation. The funds will be used primarily for production of the film and post-production marketing expenses. Additionally, LaLa and Carrie are asking for help with building awareness about the film and connecting with potential supporters whether it be investors, community organizations and partners, film or female founder enthusiasts. By supporting This I Know, individuals have the opportunity to:
- Promote an inspirational faith-centered, LGBTQ+ and mother-daughter story
- Champion female filmmakers and a majority Georgia-based production and crew
- Challenge fear-based nationalism and belief systems at a point in our history when second-guessing what you’ve been told is more important than ever
To learn more about This I Know and the team behind the camera check out the video below or reach out to LaLa or Molly for more information. Additionally, contributions to This I Know can be made here: https://donorbox.org/this-i-know.
Choosing to Pursue a Goizueta MBA and Social Enterprise Fellowship
For prospective students considering a MBA at Goizueta Business School or current students looking to get involved in initiatives outside of the classroom, the directed study and Social Enterprise Fellow experience has been invaluable. It is a testament to Goizueta’s emphasis on ethical leadership, practical experience, and ability to tackle real-world challenges. For me, getting a MBA at Goizueta has been more than just acquiring knowledge; it’s been about growing as a leader and a person!)
