We caught up with the brilliant and insightful McKenna Kreiling a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
McKenna, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I think my work ethic comes from a mix of resilience and passion. Growing up with arthritis meant I had to learn early on how to adapt and persevere. There were days when even simple tasks felt like uphill battles, but I refused to let that hold me back. Instead, I found ways to adjust, to keep moving forward, and to prove to myself that my limitations did not define me. That experience built a sense of determination that has carried into everything I do.
Over time, that resilience blended with my passion for entertainment. Creating experiences that connect with people on an emotional level has always been something I deeply care about. I thrive in environments that are demanding because I know the outcome is worth it, and because I truly love the work itself. Whether it is coordinating a major installation, running live event operations, or developing concepts from scratch, I feel a responsibility to bring my best to the table.
For me, hard work is not about checking boxes or putting in hours. It is about staying committed, finding solutions when things do not go as planned, and remembering why I started in the first place. When you combine that love for what you do with the discipline that comes from overcoming challenges, it creates a drive that feels natural. At this point, putting in the effort is not something I think about, it is simply part of who I am.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I work in the world of live events and themed entertainment, which means no two days ever look the same. Right now, I am a Production Manager with Live Nation at Bogarts in Cincinnati, one of the city’s most iconic music venues. My role is all about bringing shows to life behind the scenes, coordinating logistics, working with artists and crews, and making sure the energy and experience on stage translates to the audience in the most impactful way. There is something special about being part of that process, knowing the work we do sets the stage for moments people will remember forever.
What I want people to know about my work is that it is rooted in connection. Whether it is a concert, a haunted maze, or a brand activation, the end goal is the same: to create an experience that resonates. I am passionate about storytelling and about building environments that allow people to escape, celebrate, and feel something larger than themselves
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I would say the three qualities that have made the biggest impact in my journey are resilience, adaptability, and communication.
Resilience came first because of my arthritis. I had to learn how to keep going even when things were tough, and that built a mindset of not letting obstacles define me. In this industry, challenges come up all the time, whether it is a tight deadline or something going wrong on site, and resilience helps me push through. For anyone starting out, resilience comes from practice. Put yourself in situations where you have to problem solve, and remind yourself that setbacks are part of the process, not the end of it.
Adaptability has been just as important. Entertainment and live events move fast, and plans often change at the last minute. I have learned to stay flexible, think on my feet, and adjust without losing sight of the bigger picture. For people early in their journey, adaptability comes from being curious and open. Do not get too attached to one idea of how things should go, but instead look for opportunities to pivot and still succeed.
The last one is communication. I work with many different teams including artists, technicians, designers, and managers, and the ability to communicate clearly and respectfully makes all the difference. It keeps projects moving and builds trust with the people you work alongside. My advice here is to practice active listening just as much as speaking. Pay attention to what others need, ask questions, and learn how to adapt your style depending on who you are talking to.
If you can build resilience, adaptability, and communication, you will have a strong foundation to grow in any creative field.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
I think it is important to know your strengths and lean into them, but I would not say it is enough to only focus there. For me, the best approach has been to build on what I am naturally strong at while also working on the areas that do not come as easily. That balance has helped me grow and made me more versatile in an industry that demands flexibility.
I have always been strong in leadership and organization, which carried me into production management roles where I could coordinate teams and keep projects moving. At the same time, I recognized that technical tools like 3D modeling or construction were not my strongest areas early on. Instead of avoiding them, I invested time into practice, asked for guidance, and learned through hands-on experience. Over time, those skills became part of my toolkit, and they now allow me to communicate more effectively across creative and technical teams.
If I had only stuck to what I was already good at, I would have been limited in the roles I could take on. On the other hand, if I had ignored my strengths and only focused on weaknesses, I might not have developed the confidence or clarity to step into leadership. The sweet spot is in doing both. Build your foundation on what you excel at, because that is what makes you stand out. But keep working on the areas that challenge you, because those are the things that expand your opportunities and keep you growing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mckennakreiling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennakreiling/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mckennakreiling/
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