11/28/2021
🎉 Cheers to 9 years!! 🎉 This month marks 9 years since I launched TLKmultimedia. And wow, what a ride it’s been thus far.
It’s been filled with so many triumphs and challenges, accomplishments, late nights and early mornings, seemingly endless hours working on projects, lots of miles driving to jobs and client meetings, things to learn about and figure out, hundreds of tech problems solved for clients, thousands of truly remarkable people I’ve meet and helped along the way, students I’ve mentored, lots of hustle and grit (especially in those quiet moments when no one’s around), experiences to grow from and amazing moments to remember, smiles and tears of my own, and smiles and tears of my clients to capture at some of the most meaningful moments of their lives using video and photography...and the list goes on.
I started TLKmultimedia when I was 24 years old. Fresh out of college, having worked at the Apple Store in Thousand Oaks (shoutout to R154 and those amazing peeps!) for 3.5 years and a year in the LA film industry. On the brink of transformation, I was excited and a bit nervous to jump into a professional world fully formed by the decisions I would make.
I’ve been honored to receive national and local recognition as Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year (2017) by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Ventura County, been published in various forms of media for video and photography, and I’ve also been honored as one of the 40 Under 40 Award recipients by the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2019.
Sitting here writing this, I would never have imagined going through an unprecedented year like that of 2020. A year that we ALL went through, and seem to still be experiencing residual effects from, even as we enter into 2022. Collectively, it’s been one of the most challenging times we all have had to face. With multiple shutdowns, uncertain and scary times, society coming to a halt, and my business, along with millions of other people’s businesses, that had to push through, get creative, and work to make it out the other side. Many business have sadly not been able to survive, but as of today, words cannot express my deep gratitude to still be here and going strong in business.
..gratitude is truly the key to happiness, and, on the heels of Thanksgiving, I have so much to be grateful for.
I'm so appreciative for my clients, my supportive family and friends who have been there for me through everything, and the people in the community who have all been apart of this journey with me.
My company, TLKmultimedia, is not only a direct extension of my interests and passions, but it’s apart of who I am. I pour myself into this company because I know, first hand, the positive and transformative affects its services and final products have had on my clients.
Helping people and making a positive impact in their lives is at the core of everything I do, and I love that I’ve been able to build a profession and livelihood around just that.
I knew from a very young age that I wanted to start my own business, I just didn’t know how or when. Reflecting on where I am today, it’s a beautiful thing to not only look back on all the the opportunities for which I've been so grateful to have experienced so far and the challenges I’ve had to overcome, but to be in the present moment, looking forward to more successful moment of achievement and meaningful moments in the future.
I believe that with each stage of success, we are asked to step outside our comfort zones and to go boldly in the direction of our goals and dreams. It's with this inner desire and strong mindset to overcome obstacles and to live a purposeful life that I chose to take the leap into the life of an entrepreneur 9 years ago, and it's that same mindset that continues to motivate me today. We must do the things we think we cannot.
A special shout out goes to my amazing parents who have always taught me to do what I love, to cultivate my passions, embrace who I am, work hard, work smart, strive for greatness, be a leader, to have grit in times of struggle, have a positive attitude no matter what life throws your way, and to go out into the world and make a positive difference in the lives of others. I can honestly say that I'm living through that advice every day.
We all have greatness within us and gifts to give the world, may yours shine brightly today and every day!
With much gratitude,
❤️ Tracie Karasik
www.tlkmultimedia.com
