Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Schumacher.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in a town of six hundred people in South Dakota and always felt a profound calling to explore life beyond our small town. My father was a professional beekeeper and was a powerful influence in my life. As a successful entrepreneur and well-loved and respected leader in the community, he set a beautiful example of what leadership can and should be. He passed away when I was eighteen and my intention has always been that I honor that example in the way that I show up in my own work. It certainly inspires the way that I am building my business today.
I received a small music scholarship to the University of Nebraska and had every intention of graduating into the world of commercial composition. Debilitating stage fright kept me from auditioning for most classes and so my studies took a turn into graphic design. After college, I moved to LA and landed a job with Foote, Cone and Belding as an Account Group Assistant on the Mattel business. As it turned out, I was really great at the details and Account Management felt good. Promotions and jobs came easy to me in that role but after a few years, I found myself dying to be more involved in the making and creative process. I became a producer in 2000, intentionally focusing on technology and innovation-driven campaigns, making me one of the industry’s first interactive producers.
I moved to San Francisco in 2005 and served as Executive Producer at agencies including AKQA, Goodby, Silverstein + Partners and Venables, Bell + Partners. In 2013 I moved back to LA to help build the interactive and experiential production practices at 72andSunny as the Director of Interactive and Experiential Production. After a long career producing award-winning campaigns for brands like Audi, HP, Got Milk and Google, I left corporate advertising in 2015, knowing that it was time to create something of my own. Shortly after Radiate was born.
Has it been a smooth road?
I’m grateful to say that I’ve had a lot of support throughout my career and that, in fact, much of it was relatively easy for me. That said, during the last five years of my time in-house at agencies I felt a real calling to bow out of corporate advertising. When you ignore those messages they often return to get your attention in ways that can be really painful. Those were uncomfortable times, for sure. I now can see that the unhappiness that I experienced during those years was a reflection of my own deep desire to build something of my own.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Radiate – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I created Radiate with the intention of helping entrepreneurs and brands express their good in world-class ways, creating awareness around the things they care most about. I consult with creative entrepreneurs and young brands to identify their purpose-driven message and how best to express it. I also work with established brands, agencies and organizations to consciously produce world-class creative work on behalf of their purpose-driven message. This means not only making a meaningful commercial or service-led mobile application but also cultivating a production environment that serves as a platform for good in the way the work is made, as well.
I’m proud to be building a business that is a reflection of my own purpose and helping others do the same. It’s an honor to be able to make a positive impact through my work. I’m also extremely proud of the relationships that I’ve built with some of the most talented creatives and production partners on the planet.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the creative energy that exists in LA. There is total permission, freedom, encouragement even, to express authenticity, whatever that means.
As for what I dislike, am I being totally predictable if I say the traffic? I mean…it’s the traffic.
Pricing:
- Brand strategy coaching / consultation packages beginning at $2500
Contact Info:
- Website: www.heretoradiate.com
- Phone: 415-407-7824
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Sam Sussman, Eyoalha Baker
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
