Griffin Lee, Co-Founder of Kollektive is today's Founder Feature. He is a recent participant of Startup Summer and graduate of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.
The Light Bulb Moment
Every startup begins with a spark of inspiration. For the founders of Kollektive, that moment was as eye-opening as it was transformative. While conducting interviews with creatives across various fields—artists, musicians, writers, photographers, and filmmakers—they encountered a pivotal experience that shaped the direction of their startup.
"During the early stages of ideation and customer discovery, we were interviewing just about every individual studying or working a creative profession. We interviewed artists, musicians, writers, photographers, filmmakers, you name it. It wasn't until we were invited on set to see a behind the scenes of a pre-production meeting of a full feature film that was being prepared to be shot. It was here where we saw all the moving pieces it takes to go into making a movie. Being huge movie fans, this really opened our eyes to this industry which is often labeled as cutthroat and unforgiving. Everyone in that room had as unique of a job as the next person."
"What surprised us though was how they brought all those pieces together. While they were able to make connections through their classes in the media school and use the school's resources, many of them would be graduating that year. As business students, we knew how structured the interview and recruiting process is. However, filmmaking is essentially a freelance profession. Very few of them used LinkedIn and traditional resumes to show their credibility given it is so visual. As a result, they turn to social media and disparate online group chats to find work. This drove us to dive deeper into the industry and see how these massive teams are built and what it takes to network in the industry."
This realization—of the fragmented and informal ways creatives network and find work—became the foundation for Kollektive, a platform designed to support the unique needs of the creative community.
The Startup Journey
The path of entrepreneurship is often a rollercoaster, with highs and lows that test the resilience and determination of founders. The team at Kollektive has experienced this firsthand, navigating both significant milestones and challenging roadblocks.
"All entrepreneurs can attest to the journey having its ups and downs. I can recall many days where we would receive a great win and be blindsided by a big setback, or vice versa. Being first-time founders, it was certain we were going to run into many roadblocks. To alleviate this, we assembled a great supporting cast around us of advisors and creatives who we could always talk to. This was crucial in our journey when we would ultimately hit a wall or an obstacle."
"It is equally as important to reflect on the wins you have along the way. For us, the pinnacle of our work so far culminated in an in-person red carpet film showcase here in Bloomington. We had a great turnout with three speakers talking about what it takes to make a movie in a small town in Indiana. It was a way to put our stamp on Bloomington and quantify some of the hard work we have put in. When looking back on our first idea board and visions for Kollektive, it almost always had in-person events. Bringing it full circle to our initial idea made it all that much worth it and feel like our work became tangible."
Through these experiences, Kollektive has grown from an idea into a thriving community, making its mark on the local creative scene.
The Mill's Role
No startup journey is complete without the support of a strong community. For Kollektive, The Mill has been a cornerstone of their success, providing a space for experimentation, growth, and connection.
"The Mill has been instrumental in not only keeping our momentum but accelerating it. We graduated from Indiana University with this sort of half-baked business. We had all the pieces in place as far as business plan, pitch deck, website, and such; however, we lacked traction. Here at The Mill, we were able to really start testing and having fun with it. We launched a high-level MVP, a short film showcase, and The Mill was gracious enough to host our launch event. A lot of this would not be possible without the wonderful people we met through Startup Summer and those working out of The Mill. Everyone was always eager to help or connect us to someone else who could."
"One thing that I will always have The Mill to thank was giving me another couple of months in Bloomington. After graduating, I was not quite ready to say goodbye. I was able to extend my stay here and experience a true Bloomington summer. It made me appreciate the city in a whole different light after being a student for four years."
This partnership with The Mill has not only advanced Kollektive's business but also deepened the founders' connection to the Bloomington community.
Advice for Fellow Founders
As he reflects on his journey, Griffin has gained valuable insights that he is eager to share with other entrepreneurs.
"Some advice I could give is that it is okay to not have all the answers. Everyone you meet knows something you don't, so it is extremely important to lean into your networks and always have conversations of how you can be doing better. When you can admit that you aren't perfect, you will feel a great pressure lifted off your shoulders. There are plenty of times throughout my entrepreneurial journey where I internalized a lot of the roadblocks and problems. Conversations with others open so many new pathways and ways of thinking that will help you immensely. What I found from when I first entered this community is how much it is like a family. People are always eager to help and interested in what you are working on, so talk to them."
This advice underscores the importance of community, humility, and continuous learning—key ingredients for success in the entrepreneurial world.
Have a question for Griffin? Reach out at info@kollektivestudios.com, visit Kollektive's website http://kollektivestudios.com/, or comment below!
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