We recently connected with Kaylin Ambrose and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kaylin, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
After years of being the only one in the room who looks like me, I’ve found a big part of my success comes from surrounding myself with people who believe in me and have helped me believe in myself. Between my mom and some really great friends, I’ve been pushed to show the world my most authentic self and to take up space. It’s easy to feel small when trying to make your voice heard but once you realize you deserve to be heard and your words are just as important as anyone else’s, standing tall comes more naturally than shrinking. Now, when I notice I’m the only one in the room, I like to use it as a challenge. If everyone is going to stare anyway, I might as well make an impression.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
When people hear my name, there are two things that are probably associated with it: movies or lesbians. Since being in Savannah, I’ve produced over five short films and have also started putting on an event (with the help of some other incredible community members) called Dyke Nights so it makes sense that these two things are tied to my name. I’m a producer by nature – I love organizing, seeing all the little pieces fall into place and working with a team to bring a beautiful vision to life.
I think something that’s so special about producing for film is everyone you get to meet along the way. Through working on sets, I’ve met so many talented creatives that have inspired me both in film and in life. Filmmaking is something that enriches my life like no other and I love being able to work so closely with an art form I’ve admired for so long. No matter what stage of the filmmaking process I’m in, I find myself in awe of the people I get to work with and grateful for the lessons I get to take home with me.
I’ve learned that I’m my best when I’m busy so if I’m not producing a film, I’m producing an event for Savannah’s lesbian community – Dyke Nights! Dyke Nights aims to foster a fun, safe, and inclusive environment for the queer community (with a focus on lesbians). Through our collaboration with Club One, the last standing gay bar in Savannah, we transform an empty room into a dance floor, catwalk and a place to call home for a few hours. Each event has performances from burlesque dancers or drag queens/kings and a special theme to encourage everyone to dress up. I’m not quite sure how to describe the feeling of being at a Dyke Nights other than ‘magical’. With the new year, we’ve been working on expanding our events and have successfully had our first open mic in collaboration with The Stacks bookstore!
Dyke Nights happens on the last Tuesday of every month at 9:30pm!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
One skill I have that I think has been impactful in my journey is my ability to listen. As a producer, people are often coming up to you on set with all sorts of issues and being able to hear everyone through is of the utmost importance. I pride myself on being a person that people know they can come and talk to, no matter how small the issue.
A quality I have that I think has impacted me on my journey is my resilience. I was raised by a single mother and watched her stop at nothing to make sure I was taken care of. Her dedication inspires me to never give up on my passion and to never let anyone make me feel less than.
Lastly, as simple as it is, I think being kind nowadays goes a lot further than many people realize. Working in customer service, there’s been countless times that a customer has told me I made their day and when I look back, I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary – there’s just a lot of jerks out there. Being kind is one of the easiest things to do and yet seems more rare as the days go on.
I think one of my biggest pieces of advice for anyone, regardless of what journey they’re on, is to be yourself. It takes us so long to figure out who we are as people and even then, I’m still not quite sure anyone will ever have the answer. Authenticity is becoming scarce and I think we need more bold, confident personalities in the world.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I normally get overwhelmed when I’m looking at the bigger picture. If I break up the bigger picture into smaller sections, I feel much more confident in tackling what’s in front of me. I have to remind myself that I can only take it one step at a time and feeling overwhelmed doesn’t make me any less capable. If I’m able to, I’ll step outside and try to connect with the Earth for a second to ground myself. Touching a tree, listening to the birds, feeling the wind, whatever it may be as long as I’m outside. Physical activity is another way I deal with feeling overwhelmed. Turning that angsty energy into something I can exert is a great way to help me feel like I’m fully ridding myself of it. My biggest piece of advice would be to remember we’re only human and to treat yourself with patience.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mustbekaylin/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylin-ambrose-a0aa6a1a2/
Image Credits
Kaeley Beam
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