Influential Woman · Video production and marketing
Hayley Ellis
Founder, Lead Writer and Producer, Ellis Elite Creative
Spring, TX
Her Story
About Hayley
I started in the TV and film industry when I was 13, wanting to be an actress my whole life. I went to film school in California and worked as an actress for quite some time, then became a cruise director for many years where I met my husband. After that, I continued in TV and film and realized I needed to get back into writing, which my teachers always said was my real passion. I worked as a video producer and scriptwriter for several different agencies, and right before starting my own business, I was the head of creative for Social SEO, one of the big digital marketing agencies in the world, where I ran the creative department covering video, graphic design, and copy. I started Ellis Elite Creative about 4 years ago because family is so important to me, and I wanted to create a business where I could work with whomever I wanted while still making the same money I did in the ad agency world. Now my girls go to daycare for 4 hours in the morning, and the rest of the day they're with me while I run my business. I feel like I have the dream scenario where I can be the powerful businesswoman I want to be while still raising and empowering my two children. My expertise is in brand storytelling, helping brands reposition their tone and language to connect with their specific audience by identifying pain points and what problems they can solve. I work with everyone from Amazon and Johnson & Johnson to local startups and mom-and-pop businesses. What makes me unique is that I've been both in front of and behind the camera, so as a writer, I also understand the production side - how much things cost to make, where to film, all those logistics. I can wear all the hats of writer, video producer, and creative director for my clients.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Hayley
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I love what you said about always be curious, right? You know, the door can swing both ways, and just because one door closes doesn't mean that another door won't open. Like I said earlier, you know, a no just means no right now, or no, this isn't possible the way that you're asking, so how can you ask something differently? Or, how can you just go out and do it yourself? You know, I feel like for a long time, I was trying to find the perfect job that gave me all the benefits and all the hours that I needed and the pay that I needed, and then I realized, you know, I could just go do this and create my life my own. You know, you're the writer of your own story, which is your life, and you choose the next chapter, so constantly be writing it the way that you want to write it. I'm very big on manifestation and prayer, and you have to not only ask for what you want, but then you have to take those steps to get there, right? Like, you can wish upon a star all you want, but until you say, like, I'm gonna own my own company, I'm gonna be my own boss, okay, here's the 5 steps I'm gonna do in the next three months to get there. Like, no one's coming to save you. No one's gonna wave a magic wand. So, it's really your life and your career is on you, so why not take it by the reins and make it happen?
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