Today we’d like to introduce you to Tasha Oldham.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tasha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My secret sauce is telling stories with images, I’d much rather show than tell. In about two minutes, you’ll get a good sense of my story here: http://mystoryinc.com/portfolio_page/about-tasha-oldham/.
Just out of college, my career began with David Lynch on Lost Highway. My first film, The Smith Family won a bunch of awards including the DGA Award and was nominated for an Emmy Award. I went to work with Travel Channel which was a dream job in many ways but living on the road was not sustainable if I wanted to have a family. So, I launched My Story Inc in 2010, to build the life I wanted and continue to tell stories.
When I’m not directing, I can be found scooting about Venice, with my daughter. Or, we might be plotting and planning volunteer vacations in remote corners of the world.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I used to believe if I wasn’t struggling — it wasn’t worth doing. A struggle was how I knew I was breathing. I still enjoy a good challenge but I had to let that go of that false belief. My entire career as a documentary filmmaker was a struggle, then, I heard someone once say when you’re on the right path the river will carry you. And, that’s what’s it’s been like since I founded My Story Inc. Everything just sorts of fell into place. I joined a group of female entrepreneurs, mentor after mentor just showed up. The river carried me from client to client. I used to struggle to tell a story in 90 minutes, next thing I knew, I was telling stories in 90 seconds.
At the height of my career, I got pregnant. I was so obsessed with my clients, my team and my work, I was certain I’d be back to work after a couple months, but I really struggled because I found something I dug more than work. I had to shift my focus because I no longer wanted to work so hard. I wanted a life with this new being. What was a surprise as I started to attract a completely different type of clients who wanted me to bring my daughter to set and were very empathetic to my new life? I eased up a lot and for the first time in my career, I was able to breathe — take life easier. If I had to do a client call, I would be super up front that my daughter was there and they might hear her in the background. It was much more freeing than pretending she wasn’t there and being terrified if she made a peep. Or, running from room to room to finish my thought before I hit the mute button again.
Please tell us about My Story Inc.
My Story Inc is a content strategy and storytelling agency. We produce cinematic emotionally compelling content for forward-thinking brands. Our intention is to create a fun creative space to capture your essence.
I’m proud of how we’ve helped brands grow. We tend to attract super down to earth brands purpose driven companies who have a compelling story to share. I get the rare treat to talk to innovators from all walks of life.
I’d say my talent is knowing the right people to put in a room to create something memorable. I work with brands to engage and connect on a deep emotional level. My approach is to start with the values of a company and capture unique authentic moments that reflect those values in meaningful ways.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Growing up in a small mining town outside Salt Lake City was quite idyllic. My dad had this bigger than life personality, a grand storyteller. Part bipolar, part knowing how to live to the fullest. We may have grown up with very low income but we were never poor. We didn’t have a poor mentality. There was always an abundance of learning, joy, and exploration. He was a man of fine taste but modest means. So, he loved to “test drive” nice cars, back in the day when the salesman just let you take the car for a spin. And, he’d pile the 6 of us in the car and we’d go on road trips with the “borrowed” Cadillac. He always knew how to make life exciting, he infused joy into everything he touched.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mystoryinc.com
- Phone: 323.374.3806
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyStoryInc/
- Other: tashaoldham.com
Image Credit:
Cotton USA: Rob Jaeger, My Story Launch Party: Laurie March, Canada Umbrella: Su Pas, Soul Surfer Set: Susie Singer Carter, Floral Art: Chris Pevey, My Story Celebrate: Laurie March, Travel Channel/Bizarre Foods: Andrew Zimmern
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