Meet Katie Hawkins | Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Hawkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Here For Good Films started with a simple idea: there are so many good people doing good things and more people need to hear about it. And that’s where the power of story comes in.

After college, I worked for an NGO overseas for a couple of years. During this time, I had the privilege of sitting with people and hearing their stories – some heartbreaking, others triumphant – but all of them inspiring. I was amazed at how many people didn’t realize they had a story worth telling.

One of my favorite moments is seeing someone light up when they share their own story in their own words. This is the core of Here For Good Films. We believe in storytelling with intention. We don’t just want to hear someone’s story; we want to help them tell it authentically, in their own words and in a way that still connects and resonates with audiences, inspiring them to do good.

At Here For Good Films, we tell stories that push boundaries, challenge conventions, and inspire action. Our mission is to create films that matter – for today, for tomorrow and for a better world.

What should our readers know about your business?
What truly sets us apart from other production companies is our unwavering commitment to people. While the industry is gradually shifting towards prioritizing individuals, for us, it’s always been at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s the stories we tell or the way we manage our sets, we ensure that everyone involved is cared for. This approach has fostered wonderful relationships with our clients, contractors and talent.

Our journey to this point has been anything but easy. We’ve had to transition from a freelancer mindset to running a business. Even though we’re still in the early stages, prioritizing people over profit has been our guiding principle from day one. It’s a fantastic ethos, but it’s not without its challenges. Sometimes, it means passing up revenue and opportunities that don’t align with our core values. But we believe it’s worth it. By staying true to this principle, we position ourselves and our clients to tell richer, more impactful stories through intentional storytelling.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to stop grabbing for a piece of the pie and instead tend to the garden. Traditionally, business is thought of as a pie. There’s only so much money or success to go around before the pie has disappeared. Do what you can to grab your piece (and more if you can) before it’s gone, operating from a place of scarcity and competition.

I tried it that way but this scarcity mindset is limiting and stressful – not to mention conflicting with Here For Good’s guiding principle of prioritizing people over profit. Instead, I’ve learned to think of business more like a garden: a space where growth is continuous and regenerative. There’s room for many different plants (or businesses) to thrive simultaneously. Businesses can flourish side by side, each drawing what they need from the ecosystem without depleting it resulting in a bountiful harvest.

Tending to the garden means investing in relationships, nurturing connections, and focusing on long-term sustainability rather than immediate gain. It’s about collaboration over competition and fostering an environment where everyone can succeed. By focusing on the health of the garden, we create a space where innovation, creativity and mutual support lead to continuous growth and prosperity. This shift in perspective not only reduces the stress and pressure of the race for resources but also builds a more resilient and thriving business community.

In the end, this approach benefits everyone. By taking what we need and giving back, we contribute to a cycle of growth and abundance that supports not just our own business, but the entire ecosystem in which we operate. It’s a win-win that leads to more meaningful and impactful work, creating a legacy of abundance rather than scarcity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Anytime someone comes to visit, I take them on a tour of my favorite coffee shops in Atlanta. There are so many good coffee roasters and coffee shops in Atlanta but at the top of my list is Bellwood Coffee – the Riverside location is my favorite!

I’d of course take them to the Westside Park – one of my favorite places to hang out – when it’s not too hot! I’d also explore the Palisade Trails with them. And let’s not forget the Beltline. I keep an extra bike for such a time as this so I can bike with a friend up to Lee and White.

You’re probably sensing a theme. I prefer to explore Atlanta outside and on foot or bike.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would not be where I am today without the help and support of my parents who have been with me since the beginning and helped shape my character, grit and passions. Of course my husband and business partner has been invaluable in helping me become the business woman and leader I am today.

As with any creative endeavor, it’s still very much collaborative and I wouldn’t have made it this far without the support and encouragement from so many friends – both in and outside of the film industry.

Website: https://www.hereforgoodfilms.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hereforgoodfilms

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/71793375

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hereforgoodfilms

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hereforgoodfilms