Rising Stars: Meet Holly Brown of Based in Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Brown.

Hi Holly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Ampersoul Industries was born at the intersection of play and purpose. After over two decades performing and teaching improv in Los Angeles, I discovered something powerful: when people feel safe enough to play, they open up. They connect. They grow. My years onstage taught me to read a room, to embrace the unexpected, and most of all to believe in the magic of human connection.

Alongside my creative work, I spent years in the corporate world building and delivering training programs, leading teams, and designing learning experiences that didn’t just check boxes; they changed how people showed up at work and with each other. I realized that whether I was coaching an executive, facilitating a workshop, or playing a scene onstage, the goal was the same: create a space where people feel seen, safe, and inspired to show up fully.

That’s why I launched Ampersoul Industries. We blend the soul of improv with the strategy of instructional design to create brave, joyful spaces for growth, expression, and connection. Whether we’re helping teams communicate better, coaching individuals through life pivots, or leading workshops that wake up the body and heart, everything we do is rooted in the belief that when people feel free to be themselves, they thrive; and so do the communities around them.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Adapting to corporate culture felt like learning a new language. Coming from the world of improv, where collaboration, play, and emotional honesty are essential, I entered environments where everything was buttoned-up, measured, and often risk-averse. I had to figure out how to bring my full self—creative, intuitive, people-focused—into spaces that didn’t always know what to do with that energy.

There were moments I felt like I was translating between two worlds: the human side of work and the business side of work. I learned how to package my ideas in ways leadership could hear. I became skilled at aligning empathy with outcomes, and creativity with KPIs. But it took time to find my voice in those spaces and to trust that that voice mattered.

Leaving corporate employment was another kind of challenge. There’s a comfort in a steady paycheck, a defined role, a built-in team. But I reached a point where staying felt smaller than stepping out. I wanted to create something where connection and creativity weren’t just nice-to-haves; they were the foundation.

Starting Ampersoul Industries was a leap, but it’s also been a return. A return to purpose. To people. To the belief that growth happens when we feel safe, seen, and a little bit brave. Now, I get to design spaces where that’s possible; for teams, for individuals, and for myself.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Ampersoul Industries, I create spaces where people feel safe to show up fully—as leaders, collaborators, and humans. I blend improv, coaching, and instructional design to help individuals and teams connect more deeply, communicate more clearly, and grow with purpose.

With 25 years of improv experience and 7 years in corporate learning and leadership, I specialize in making growth feel human, not heavy. I’m known for workshops that spark real connection, trainings that actually stick, and coaching that brings clarity and courage.

What sets me apart is my ability to hold space for both structure and spontaneity, strategy and soul. I’m most proud of creating moments where people feel seen, energized, and empowered to be their whole selves, at work and beyond.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was the first to raise my hand for just about anything. Especially if it involved a stage. Hula lesson? I was in. Talent show? Let’s go. I was a classic teacher’s pet, eager to learn and always aiming to please. I devoured books like they were oxygen and read anything I could get my hands on—from fantasy novels to shampoo bottles.

I have a twin sister, and we spent a lot of our childhood singing and laughing together. Home life had its challenges. Our dad struggled with alcoholism, which meant I became very good at reading the room and figuring out how to keep the peace. That early emotional intelligence, mixed with a love of performance and connection, shaped so much of who I am now. It’s probably no surprise I ended up in work that’s all about presence, people, and helping others feel safe enough to show up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/Ampersoul
• Instagram: @ampersoul
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577322118708&mibextid=ZbWKwL
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollycervibrown