Today we’d like to introduce you to Kacie Lehner.
Hi Kacie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I was 14, I started working for my mom at a recording studio that did music for film and television. It was a small, but quickly growing company, and I had a chance to really understand the business of post-production landscape. It was also one of the first times recognizing that making, creating and the business of film was something I was attracted to. Fast forward to summer of my senior year at USC, I got an internship for another growing company called Relativity. There, I learned film finance, creative development and saw the small company grow to a mini-major. Recognizing that I wanted more of an indy approach and really dig my hands into grassroots filmmaking, I left Relativity as a creative executive to become an independent producer. I taught myself to line produce, met and formed relationships with incredible crews, and produced a couple of features. In 2021, I partnered with Jamal Watson to form The Good Soil Collective, which take our philosophy of growing and nursing good stories and people into an art that helps move culture forward. And since our founding, we have made a developed film, television, commercials, music videos, and digital content, with much more to come.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As trite as it is to say, I think struggles are not only a part of this business but a part of life. There have been so many ups and downs, from trying to decide if I would walk away from a paycheck to pursue an independent career to the trials and tribulations of how to navigate developing something from the ground up. I’ve lost projects and deals, but because of moments like that, I’ve been put in a position to be introduced to my now business partner. So, there are moments that may seem impossible to overcome, but I’ve found that the outcome always has benefits.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Good Soil Collective is a film and television development and production company based on supporting and uplifting projects and creatives who have something to say through art. We know a lot of good seeds. We know know how to nurture and grow those seeds. And we know how to give the space and platform for those seeds to flourish. Through our development process and our production infrastructure, we’ve been able to construct a space for creatives to move culture forward, in whatever way that means to them. We have many projects on the horizon from some truly incredible voices.
We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking.
The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was making the decision to leave a steady paycheck and walking away to start my own business. I was comfortable with my lifestyle and all the benefits of having a cushy job, but I wasn’t truly happy. I felt like a cog in the wheel, and I didn’t feel truly challenged or that I was creating in space of passion. I felt complacent. From the time I was little, I always knew I wanted to be a leader, a boss, someone with my own company, but the reality of taking the leap was an unnerving proposition. With just a little bit of savings and an idea that I wanted to go grassroots, get my hands dirty, and really hone my skills, I took the biggest risk I could. The road hasn’t always been easy, but considering where I am today, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kacielehner/?hl=en
Image Credits
Steph Bryant
