Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Taylor.
Kari, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I moved to LA almost 9 years ago after graduating from Elon University in North Carolina. I graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. My plan was never to actually live in LA. I always thought I’d end up in Atlanta or New York, DC even. But I moved out here with low expectations. I knew Los Angeles was a hard place to succeed. Many people move to LA with big hopes and dreams that are quickly squashed. I expected to be in and out within 2 years. However, I’m thankful that it didn’t work out that way.
My very first job was in the mailroom at an agency. I was a temp there for 3 months before I was hired full-time. Many people will blow off the mailroom or make it sound like the worst job in Hollywood. But I had a great time! It was hard work but good work. I met great people who had come to LA from all over. We bonded over the new experiences of LA and working at this huge agency. Running errands for agents, delivering scripts, reading scripts, sweeps. All of it I came to love. Looking back, it was the best of times. We were broke but happy.
After a year in the mailroom, I ended up taking a desk in Film/TV Lit. Long story short, my desk experience was not the best. However, I did learn a lot, mainly about how I like to lead and be taught, and how to get things done efficiently. I quit after 8 months in the department. The job wasn’t fun anymore.
I landed at Authentic Entertainment as an Executive Assistant to the SVP and co-Owner. Not nearly as corporate as the agency, which was definitely a learning curve. I was in that position for a year before I asked to be promoted to Development Manager (yes, I asked!), where I managed the internal development team. And this was where I fell into reality development and really learned how to manage people. I’d always thought I would be in scripted. But scripted takes forever to see results; reality is just a simpler, quicker way to tell genuine stories. And I kind of had a knack for it. It was a great department to be a part of, and I was promoted to Development Producer towards the end of my time there.
While at Authentic, I realized how much I love working with talent, especially when they are fresh. I ended up becoming somewhat of a talent whisperer which lead me to my first network job as a talent manager. It was good, but network life was not for me at the time. I stayed for 2 years and then my former Authentic boss called – she was starting her own company, Red Bandit Media. She asked me to join her company as Director of Development. So here I am.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Everything I’ve learned at every job I’ve held has come to play in my current position. I’ve walked away from every job having learned something, whether it was good or bad. How to treat people who are working for me. How to manage up (even when I don’t want to!). How to speak up for what I feel I deserve. How to really be a team player. How to talk to people who I don’t know. All of it is learned from somewhere, and I’ve been fortunate to be in the company of people who have taught me by example, how to be AND how not to be.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Red Bandit Media – what should we know?
I work with Helga Eike, who was one of my bosses at Authentic. Helga is one of the OG’s of reality TV business – and she will be irritated that I called her that, ha. She helped developed reality TV staples like Toddlers and Tiaras, Ace of Cakes and Flipping Out. I knew that working with her would be a good move, not only for me personally but professionally. First of all, I like her, which is a great first step. And secondly, I would really be able to learn and hone in on my skill set. I’ve always said she was the first boss who really let me get dirty and use my hands, even as her assistant years ago.
She and I have an interesting relationship, because our work partnership started as me being her assistant. We developed a friendship through the job. So even though I technically work FOR her, we’re kind of friends. We understand each other very well, so well that we have a shorthand. And we recognize when we need time and space. I think that is very important when working closely with someone – it’s like a marriage. You have to make room for the other person in the relationship in order for it to be successful. And communication matters so you can learn those ticks. We talk A LOT, about business, thoughts, our personal lives. It gives context to the work environment and our business relationship.
At Red Bandit, we are very talent focused: there’s no show if the talent isn’t there. So we look for talent first. I look for people doing great things, or people doing simple things in great ways, and develop concepts to sell to networks. What people are baffled by sometimes is that we are two women of color, out in these streets, trying to sell TV shows. It’s a tough job. We get told “no” so much and it’s hard to hear when you really believe in a talent/concept. Content is still high in demand but needs to be original, somewhat inexpensive to produce and of high-quality. It’s not always fun or easy, but we’ve managed to elbow our way through. I really believe that people enjoy working with us because we keep it real, handle our business and we produce great work.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My faith has taken me in a direction that I never imagined. Everything that I have done and experienced thus far was totally not a part of my plan for myself. If things had gone the way I planned, I’d be married with 2.5 kids, living in a suburb in the Southeast and doing Oprah’s job (seriously, my college entrance essay was about me becoming the next Oprah). But I think I’d be pining for this life that I have now. Divine intervention is what I like to call it.
By no means have I reached my career heights, but I have had a great team of people behind me, pushing me and stretching me along the way. There’s my family and a host of friends from everywhere who have been very supportive. I am so incredibly blessed to know the people who I know – and they know who they are. But there’s an army of women who stand behind me and root for me no matter what, from the women in my family, to my girlfriends, to women I’ve met through the jobs I’ve held. These incredible women believe in me and my abilities, even when I don’t. And I believe in them, too. It’s so important to have people in your life who are honest, forthcoming and get excited for your successes. But they also don’t mind when you’re a mess and being ridiculous. I just find the greatest strength in them. It’s really incredible what women can do for each other and I’ve experienced it firsthand in so many ways.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
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