Today we’d like to introduce you to Marielou Mandl.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been creating content for over 20 years – going all the way back to hosting the morning and afternoon announcements at Everitt Middle School in Panama City, Florida. As someone passionate about creativity, I go out of my way to learn as much as I can about every avenue that excites me. Because of this, I am capable in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes. With the onset of social media, my previously too vast and unique skill set became an integral part of producing work for these platforms. Having spent time working in marketing, I was able to follow trends in digital media and how it bridges the gap between brands and their desired audience. Such a fascinating beast! This led to me using my production prowess to create content for brands in various capacities and to my current work as a speaker, filmmaker, photographer, and tech blogger with a personal mission to encourage individuals to utilize digital media as a tool for their creative goals.
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 journey wouldn’t be interesting if there wasn’t some drama! I started wanting to be solely in front of the camera but I found a lot of dark days with the way the entertainment industry is structured. There are a lot of gatekeepers and I couldn’t leave my happiness in the hands of others. So, I shifted my focus. I figured out why it was I was doing what I was doing. What I wanted to create. So, I learned how to do everything – use cameras, lights, edit, market myself. All of it – so I could create. When I realized that I was capable of learning and energetically executing these skills, I realized my real mission was to encourage and empower others to learn skills so they could also create for themselves. Now that my content is in my control, I am enjoying the journey so much more!
It really is about the journey and making sure that is a journey you enjoy being on. It may not always be easy but it should excite you. Yes, have goals but don’t go years suffering on your journey chasing a result because you may get to the desired result and realize it still doesn’t bring you happiness. Get clear about why you do what you do, find yourself a mission you enjoy and run with it.
Also, other peoples opinions are none of your business. Keep your head down and do your work. You’ve got this. Trust your instinct, not the narrative coming from outside sources that may not have your best interest at heart.
Protect your time, your mind, and your mission.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a host and public speaker, with a focus on educating and empowering others about digital content creation and the tech used for producing that content. Additionally, I work directly with brands to create content specifically for social media as well as consult individuals that are looking to develop their online presence. I run my photo, video, and tech blog (marieloumandl.com) as well as my YouTube channel (youtube.com/marieloumandl) to help spread these ideas. What makes me most proud and really makes me believe in what I am doing is when a viewer comments that the information I provided was helpful to them. Nothing makes me happier! I am your techie bestie – that person you DM when you can’t figure out how to trim a video or you are not sure what kind of camera to buy. I aim to make this information accessible and work to demystify the tech used to do just that. If you want to create, you can and you should. I’m here to help you.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I love seeing more women stepping up and claiming their power. No matter what your journey is, I urge you to take the opportunity to share this through your online presence. Tell everyone what you do, share your expertise, your struggles, your journey and be an example for those that are still afraid to step out of the shadows. Don’t worry about your followers or engagement rates – you may reach the one person that needed to hear YOUR story in order to bloom. There is room for all of us – stand up and tell us what you’re about!
Contact Info:
- Website: marieloumandl.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/marieloumandl
- Twitter: twitter.com/marieloumandl
- Other: youtube.com/marieloumandl
Image Credit:
Marielou Mandl, Will Herndon, Alan Ronay
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
