We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kat Uyenco a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kat, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
My optimism stems from gratitude. Every morning, before I start my day, I meditate and remind myself of all the things that I have in my life that I feel lucky to have – fresh air to breathe, a cozy home, family, friends, good health, all the wonderful things. It allows me to start my day in the right mindset – full of gratitude and happiness.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I was born on the beautiful island of Cebu, Philippines, and when I was just 8 years old, my family immigrated to California. Growing up, I always had a passion for makeup artistry, and it led me to make the bold move to Los Angeles to pursue my career.
In 2002, I landed a role as an Executive Assistant, marking the beginning of my journey into the world of Television. Eager to immerse myself in the business and break down barriers, I took on multiple positions. Whether it was working as an assistant, makeup artist, talent coordinator, or anything in between, I made it my mission to become a Jacqueline of all Trades.
Through sheer hard work and dedication, I gradually climbed the ladder, securing opportunities with networks such as VH1, MTV, NBC, CBS, Netflix, Hulu, WeTV, TLC, and Lifetime. Years of perseverance paid off and now I’m an Executive Producer and Showrunner on shows such as – VH1’s “The Surreal Life: the Reboot” and “Family Reunion: Love & Hip Hop Edition,” as well as WeTV’s “Waka & Tammy: What the Flocka” and “Grown and Gospel.” My latest show will premier on WeTV this fall called “Keke Wyatt’s World”.
As a passionate storyteller and skilled communicator, I possess a natural instinct for creativity and the ability to bring imaginative concepts to life. One of my favorite things about what I do, is meeting people from all walks of life and from all over the world. I love to connect with them, listen to their stories and create an avenue for them to tell it.
I’ve come a long way and my journey from a young Filipino immigrant to a trailblazing Executive Producer reflects my resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to creating captivating and diverse stories in the entertainment industry.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Perseverance – Don’t let fear or failure get in the way of achieving your goals. To live your life to the fullest, you have to learn to persevere and face the challenges that life throws at you. You learn a lot about who you are when you survive these curveballs and when you fall, get up, dust yourself off and keep going.
Adaptability – Again, life will throw you lots of curveballs and when you’re flexible and able to accept change easily, you’ll succeed in any environment. To master this skill, you also have to have a foundation of several other skills like observation, critical thinking and problem solving. Remember, there is no one right way to do something. There are boundless paths to reach the same goal, you just have to figure out the best way for you to achieve it.
Communication – Life is better when you’re a good communicator. A few helpful tips on how to become one – know your audience, listen actively, ask questions, and pay attention to body language. Everyone communicates differently and when you can observe and adjust to how they give and receive information, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I try a few different things. First, I take a quick time out and meditate. It calms my mind and body so that I can get grounded. Then, I reflect on the “why” and figure out the root cause so I can start to problem solve. I list all the things that are stressing me out, making me anxious and causing fear. I then focus on what I can control and start from there. Sometimes, I call a trusted friend, a mentor or family member for some guidance and sound advice. But for serious instances, I see my therapist!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katwithabang/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katuyenco/
Image Credits
Jose Gonzalez, Cornell Josey, Cherie Merricks, Steven “Scoob” Thomas, Steve Klasey
