Member Spotlight: The Good Vibe Media
Integral to The Scout Guide Phoenix & Scottsdale’s mission is telling the stories behind the small businesses Scouted in each Volume. The story begins in print and continues online, after all. As you peruse Volume 2, we are thrilled to continue our story-telling mission with Member Spotlights.
Photography by Fully Alive Photography.
After her first video production assignment at Arcadia High School, Carly Gilleland was hooked. Yet, the owner of not one but two local businesses never envisioned herself as an entrepreneur. Motivated to inject positivity — good vibes, if you will — into the digital landscape, Carly started The Good Vibe Media in 2016. It has quickly become Phoenix and Scottsdale’s go-to for high-quality video production. You’ll recognize their work in our Volume 2 Launch Party Recap and interviews with fellow Scouted Members! Fast forward to 2021, The Good Vibe Studios, a creative studio designed by creatives for creatives, opened its doors.
To understand just how Carly Gilleland took the entrepreneurial leap in a traditionally male-dominated industry — and how she’s stayed true to a mission to spread positivity — we chatted with The Good Vibe Media and The Good Vibe Studios founder.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: Carly, before diving into the specifics about The Good Vibe Media and The Good Vibe Studios, tell us how you got started in the traditionally male-dominated industry that is video production.
Carly Gilleland: While at Arcadia High School, I was fortunate to have my first taste of media communications and video production where, after just my first video production assignment, I knew I wanted this to be my career. From there, I continued on to get my degree from California State University Long Beach in film and media studies with minors in marketing and journalism.
Once I graduated, I moved back home to Phoenix and started a family while also working on my dream of telling inspiring stories. I started The Good Vibes Studios in 2016, and from there, I slowly and organically built the business into what it is today. I never envisioned myself as an entrepreneur, but I have always been consistent in my passion for storytelling through video, which I think has been a large component of our success.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: If you never envisioned yourself as an entrepreneur, what inspired you to take the entrepreneurial leap?
Carly Gilleland: It became apparent to me how much time our society spends on screens and how crowded — polluted even — the digital landscape is. I wanted my work to have a motivating and inspiring impact. The Good Vibe Media is the product of that desire. At our foundation, The Good Vibe exists to tell stories that shed light on different perspectives in a positive way.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: How has that ethos informed The Good Vibe Media and its direction?
Carly Gilleland: We work hard to produce high-quality videos for our clients, emphasizing an authentic approach and overall experience. It’s our goal to, well, have good vibes throughout the production process.
Photography by Fully Alive Photography.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: Fast forward a few years of good vibes and great work, The Good Vibe Studios came to life. What inspired this new entrepreneurial endeavor?
Carly Gilleland: The idea for the studio came in 2021 after years of experiencing the same pain point: finding an ideal location to film video content for the variety of clients we serve. The idea of the studio grew the more I discussed it with others. Everyone had the same response: “you have to build this space.”
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: Can you walk us through that entrepreneurial journey?
Carly Gilleland: I had no business background or degree and zero exposure or experience in starting and operating a brick and mortar business. So, The Good Vibe Studios is a testament to how powerful and valuable community can be. When we launched the Kickstarter campaign, we raised over $100,000 in 60 days to start the build out.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: If we’re correct, that’s not where the story ends, however.
Carly Gilleland: Correct. It was a true labor of love from all parties. We could have never built this amazing space without the most incredible contractor, Don Buol, who just so happened to be the father of our Chief Operating Officer, Nicki. Don was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when we started the build, but that never slowed him down. And despite all the chemo treatments and uncertainty, he completely mastered the uniqueness of our creative studios. Unfortunately, he lost his battle with cancer in September 2022 a few months after we opened.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: We were so sorry to hear that Don passed, but what an incredible legacy he has left behind.
Carly Gilleland: Thank you. We are reminded of him every time we walk into our incredible studio.
Photography by Fully Alive Photography.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: As a client ourselves, we can attest that The Good Vibe Studios is indeed incredible. What has a year-plus of business for The Good Vibe Studios been like?
Carly Gilleland: The creative community has shown a lot of enthusiasm for our specialized environment, which includes rentals designed for podcasters, photographers, videographers, and content creators. Beyond that, we’ve focused on adapting and evolving to figure out the best way to serve our creative community.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: As a creative yourself, how do you stay inspired?
Carly Gilleland: Connecting with people — but not from behind a screen. I’m always most inspired after lunch with a friend, a networking event, or even a group fitness class. Human connection is so important to me, and I get so inspired when I connect with others and hear all about their passions, mission statements, and stories!
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: How appropriate then to be in the business of telling stories and creating a space for others to tell theirs!
Carly Gilleland: Exactly! The most fulfilling part of the work is being able to connect with and support fellow entrepreneurs. I love the opportunity to tell their stories authentically.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: And there seems to be quite the demand — how has the changing digital landscape affected your business?
Carly Gilleland: And it’s been really exciting to have an increased number of video requests — especially event video requests — for our high-quality production services for businesses and brands. In addition, we’ve recently produced video for almost a dozen digital e-courses, which our team loves.
Photography by Fully Alive Photography.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: You work with so many fellow Valley creatives and entrepreneurs and have helped so many — including those of your fellow members — what takeaways do you have for entrepreneurship?
Carly Gilleland: As a business owner in the creative industry, I’ve found that we all can find more success if we lean into community and collaboration a little bit more. It certainly has worked wonders for me over the years.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: What else has inspired you as a business owner?
Carly Gilleland: Being a mother. My two children are the most important thing in my life, and I believe it’s important that people know being a mom has helped me become a better business owner and leader for my team. I want to leave a legacy for my kids and have them always remember how hard I worked to build these companies that started in my dreams.
Photography by Fully Alive Photography.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: We would imagine that has inspired a significant aspect of your business, which is the philanthropic component. Can you speak to that?
Carly Gilleland: The Good Vibe Media has a GiveBack program where each quarter we produce a video for an individual or organization, who proves to have a positive impact in our community. This aligns with our mission to produce content that injects positivity to motivate and inspire others to do good.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: Are you involved with any other organizations or non-profits in the Valley?
Carly Gilleland: I also have served on the committee for events like the Wishball and other nonprofits that serve sick children or families. I have also done lots of volunteer work for organizations that serve the special needs community as my little sister is disabled.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: Beyond the local non-profits you support, how are you involved in Valley life? Do you have any local favorites?
Carly Gilleland: Of course! My quick go-to’s are: Gooder Goods for dining, Kaleidoscope for [healthy] drinks, Garage for littles, Lifestyled Co for home, hot yoga at radi8, and Waste Management Open for events!
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: You are clearly very connected to the Valley. What do you cherish most about living and working in Phoenix and Scottsdale?
Carly Gilleland: It is a very exciting time to be in the Valley, especially in the film industry! A bill was recently passed that will give filmmakers more incentive to produce their work in Arizona. I think so many other creative businesses will benefit and be born from the energy we will start to see in our state. Of course, I also love the sunshine we get majority of the year and how easy it is to get to the mountains or the beach for a little getaway.
The Good Vibe Media offers high-quality video production services for brands and businesses, and events of all scales, including weddings. The sister brand, The Good Vibe Studios, offers studio room rentals designed for podcasters, photographers, videographers, and content creators, to offer a specialized environment to meet creative needs. Follow along with them on Instagram and tap them for your video production needs, from brand stories to events and weddings. Just don’t forget to tell them Scout sent you!
