Rising Stars: Meet Kylie Olsen of Virtual Nation-wide Business

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kylie Olsen.

Hi Kylie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
According to my parents, I’ve always been a Storyteller. Most of the time, I could be found outside Prescott, Arizona, acting out stories I had made up. That led to an early career of acting, singing, and dancing with all of the local Prescott Theaters. Growing up doing Theatre in Arizona is a huge part of my story. It truly is where I found my roots in storytelling and artistry. While finishing my Bachelor of Arts from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, I had the God-given opportunity to intern with Valerie McCaffrey, a brilliant Casting Director, and Talent Manager. From here, I learned there was more for me than necessarily being an actor. Halfway through that internship, COVID-19 hit, we entered this bizarre world of primarily virtual auditions and self-tapes. I spent that time studying as an actor, doing virtual plays, and doing some film and commercial work in LA.

At the end of 2020, I graduated college in my living room, surrounded by my wonderful family after getting engaged just days before. At the beginning of 2021, I moved to Virginia with no real job or direction. I worked odd jobs and acting gigs as I started navigating the DC/MD/VA entertainment industry. I sent cold-call emails to Casting Directors to see if they needed an assistant or associate for upcoming projects. After sending cold-call emails, I was fortunate to find employment with a DC/MD/VA-based casting director on an FX pilot doing background casting and a couple of principle commercial projects. This led to the opportunity to work with a NY-based background casting company, where I had the chance to be on the background casting team for HBO’s We Own This City and part of Season 5 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Then, a hint to creating an affordable acting school started moving in my heart.

By the end of 2021, God was pushing my heart to leave the casting industry to provide fine arts education to any aspiring artists looking to further their careers. I felt unqualified to start a business, which, based on experience, is where God uses us the most. I had the experience and unique perspective of an actor with university training and the experience from the casting and talent management perspective. Still, I had never thought that starting my own business was an option. He moved my heart to create an online affordable fine arts educational platform to help actors navigate the entertainment industry using my experience as a trained actor, casting assistant, and talent manager intern. Probably the scariest thing I had done was resigning from the company out of NY, not knowing if I would get clients or whether God would provide. I’m so thankful for the abundance of provision and support I have received. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing storytellers who are hungry and eager to learn, as my business has been active for about a month. I am blessed to work with some incredible Artists and NIL Athletes who were looking for guidance on navigating the entertainment and media industry.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I did not go to school to get a business degree nor did I plan on starting a business initially. However, I saw a need for someone to educate others on how to navigate the entertainment industry, and so I took a step of faith. Playing it safe doesn’t bring long-term benefits, so quitting my casting job to pursue this business was a risk. But I had an amazing support system to lift me at moments when I felt unconfident.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am proud that KO Consultations is founded on the idea of making Artists self-sufficient and that we can give them the power and tools to make the absolute most out of their careers. I am proud that I can provide affordable fine arts education taught by young entertainment professionals actively involved in the industry. We will be expanding KO Consultations to provide training taught by young professionals in the dance, singing, and stunts/stage combat realms by the end of this year.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
A quote from my grandfather: Don’t forget your roots. Pursuing the arts industry causes many people to stumble and lose their moral ground. It can create bitterness and unnecessary heartache. Your story and your roots are unique to you. Don’t let this star-studded industry take away from what makes you. Me? I’ll always be the small-town Arizona girl with big dreams of telling stories and helping others learn to tell their own. I also recommend finding your tribe. If you are pursuing any business, artistry, or passion, find the tribe that believes in you and pushes you forward. A tribe that is there to remind you where you came from. I would not be where I am today without my husband, family, and close friends who were there to pick me up off the ground and surround me in prayer every time I fell. If you are an aspiring artist, we would love to help you get to the next level of your career. We would love to be a part of your safe community that is there to encourage you and support you as you pursue your goals.

A special shout-out to my parents who started their own Az local business that has been operational for over 20 years. I’m so thankful for their willingness to share what they have learned about running a business so I can learn from them.

Pricing:

• $60- Learn about how to get an agent or manager
• $155.99- Navigate casting calls
• $140- Self Tape and Virtual Audition Technique
• $135- College Theatre and music audition preparation
• $199.99- Fundamental Acting Techniques

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.koconsultations.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koconsultations/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KO-Consultations-113026841383819/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/kylieraine_/

Image Credits
Wedding photos of family: Emily Cox Photography Headshot: Cynthia Ray Photography Other photos provided by Kylie Olsen