Beyond the Deadline: Turning a Career in News into a Creative Business
What does it take to go from chasing daily news to building a thriving creative business? In this session, Ray Arzate shares his journey from award-winning photojournalist to co-founder of Storyville RD, a production company creating powerful stories for brands, nonprofits, and communities. You’ll learn how to sharpen your storytelling for client work, develop the business skills they don’t teach in the newsroom, and build something that lasts. Ray will break down the wins, the mistakes, and the moments that shaped his transition—along with practical advice on pricing, pitching, scaling, and keeping your creative edge in a business setting. This is a real-world look at how to evolve as a storyteller, entrepreneur, and leader in today’s media landscape.