Bravery in Business: Interview with Jacqueline Dalunde
photography by Catherine Orchard
You are the Founder and Executive Producer of Apparently Jack, a Los-Angeles Content Studio. Tell us about about the work you do and what you love about it!
I love filmmaking. I love everything about the process; from the spark of an idea, being in the trenches of production, post-production, to finally sharing it with the world. I founded apparentlyjack in the Fall of 2017 because I wanted to focus my career on producing underrepresented stories and giving them the platforms they deserve. Initially, my intention was to stay in the branded content space. I have long believed that the future of branded entertainment lies in cinematic content that doesn't hit the consumer over the head with sales, instead focusing on storyline driven content that creates an emotional connection with the viewer. It's my dream to be able to pair brands that have platforms, funding, and access to large communities with incredible storytellers from underrepresented communities in order to amplify their voices and stories. Unfortunately, the industry is still growing and learning and it's sometimes hard to convince a larger brand to step out of their comfort zone of traditional commercial production, or the more recent comfort of 5-15 second social media advertising. However, we have had the opportunity to work with some incredible start ups that are building incredibly inclusive communities and I love being a part of those journeys.
The other side of our business is independent content. With our independent series and feature films we are going a more traditional route of producing content by developing scripts and seeking financing and/or streaming support, with the untraditional route of focusing on stories led by women, the LGTBQA+ community, people of color, differently-abled, and otherwise marginalized groups. There are so many incredible stories out there waiting to be told and we have had the great fortune of meeting and partnering with some really talented storytellers.
So, to answer your question, I love everything about what I do!
Everyone has a story behind the story. What's the story that set you on the path to start a business? What has been the biggest challenge do far?
I have had the privilege of working with and for some really great people in my career. However, I haven't always been able to champion the type of content that I believe is important. Representation matters and I wanted to be able to use some of my privilege to help tell more inclusive stories while also helping others rise in the industry. There came a point in my career where I saw myself going down a path that was taking me further away from that dream. Luckily, when I realized that, I was also in the extremely fortunate position to be able to leave that trajectory and take the time to start my own company.
The biggest challenge so far has honestly been finding clients. I never once tried to go after a client I had worked with at a past company. I know that often employees leave companies to go off on their own taking clients with them, and it certainly does help them get started. I can't go that route because I respect my previous employers and their relationships with their clients, they aren't mine to take. The same goes for posting content on our company website or social media: If the content wasn't produced under the "apparentlyjack" banner, it doesn't belong on our owned channels or pages. I know that clients don't always check up on that, and some people have success posting work from other companies, but it feels disingenuous to me. That being said, when you start out fresh, it doesn't matter how much experience you have in the industry, new clients always want to know what you have done "as a company." It took almost a year and some very amazing and trusting clients to help build our first reel, and even now we are always hustling for the next job. I don't have a background in sales, I'm a creative and a producer (I have ideas and I get shit done), so I don't have a huge rolodex of potential clients. The hustle is real!
What does empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment means feeling that you have the absolute power to be, do, and present yourself in any way you choose without fear of what others think. To feel free from the judgement of others and have the freedom to self-express.
Tell us a story about when you felt like were made to feel small and about a time you stepped into your power.
There have been many times I have been made to feel small, and boy did I feel small. I know sometimes it helps to read someone else's story in detail in order to help us overcome similar situations in our lives. However, on this topic many of my stories of feeling small are specific to certain individuals that I'd rather not put on blast. They are changing and I am learning to let go.
Therefore, instead of focusing on the cause of the feelings of smallness, I'd like to focus on what helped me step into my power and move onward and upward. Or rather, who helped me step into my power; my friends, my family, my husband, my dog(s), and my therapist. Surrounding myself with a community of people that believe in me and my ability to be a better person. I've learned, in rather recent years, the importance of discussing my feelings. Honestly, that seemingly easy task, talking about feelings, was always extremely difficult for me. I've kept a lot of my thoughts and feelings closed off from others, making it difficult to really open up in my relationships (romantic and otherwise). When I finally found a therapist who challenged me to open up I was in a place that felt like rock bottom, even if on the surface I looked like I was on top of the world. So I took on her challenge and I started opening up, one person at a time. My life has changed dramatically since that day. I am more receptive to others, I care more for others, I have learned to let go of resentments and focus on what I can do to better the world around me. I'll be honest, I never thought I was a bad or evil person, but if I look back a few years, I definitely wasn't a great one. I'm learning to become a better human, and that, is stepping into my power.
What is the top advice you would give a woman starting her own business?
There is no perfect time to start your own business.
Starting a business is hard, and keeping a business running is harder. The only way through it is to stick with it.
Do research: Know your industry, know who your competitors are, and then accept that industries are constantly changing and there is no competition, only other entrepreneurs trying to fight the daily fight and make it just like you are.
I'm a big believer in collaboration and helping each other rise together. I'm constantly trying to make sure I champion other producers and companies that are out there trying to make more inclusive content. There is room for all of us, really, there is.
Ask for help. There is no shame in asking for help, because everyone needs it at some point. You can't be expected to know and do everything on your own. Look to others that know more than you and surround yourself with a team of people that are smarter and better than you at many things, and be there to help them where they may need it.
What would you say to your 13 year old self?
It's OK if you aren't the best at everything. Give yourself a break, take some time to breathe, and know that in the future, happiness exists.
Jacqueline Dalunde is a veteran Director of Video Production, and currently the Founder and Executive Producer at Creative Content Studio, apparentlyjack. With her 8+ years of experience in the film and advertising industries as a producer, Jacqueline's mission is to bring cinematic storytelling and storyline driven content to brands and independent film in a variety of formats.
apparentlyjack champions Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity both behind and in front of the camera. Jacqueline has dedicated a portion of the company to empowering and mentoring other women in entertainment and is working with various organizations to help reach Gender Parity in the film industry.
Company Website: http://www.apparentlyjack.com/
Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apparentlyjack/
Company Twitter: https://twitter.com/apparentlyjack
Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apparentlyjack/
Inclusivity, Duh! Campaign: http://www.apparentlyjack.com/INCLUSIVITYDUH/
Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jquelinedalunde/