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

Hi Michael, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When I was working in my earlier years, my work felt less consequential, so I could leave it all behind when I punched out. As I began to teach, the workloads at home and at school became massive. Planning, grading, school event, etc. Unfortunately it wasn’t just the work that came home–it was the emotional baggage and the exhaustion too. Now that I run a small agency, I no longer have to report to a work site, and that fees really good. I feel free to work mostly on my own time, at my own pace, and I can schedule my personal life around my work. I still work long hours, but now I do it in comfy clothes while I listen to music and take lots of breaks!

What should our readers know about your business?
Millay Media is relatively new to the scene, and we’re small for now. Currently we represent seven creators, four of whom live in LA. We started because my former partner was involved in management that was bad for several reasons. With her experience in social media and my own in sales and project management, it seemed like a natural venture for us. It has been a challenging 18 months because the creator space can be challenging for a number of reasons, but we are doing well and moving forward nicely. We look forward to continued growth and success, and we hope to add more clients to our roster soon!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a little new to LA, and I don’t have a car (by choice). I live near South Park/Financial District in DTLA, and I love it! People from LA have talked a lot of trash about DTLA, but I have spent my adult life navigating NYC and other large cities, so DTLA feels like home to me! I like the coffee shops, the free concert in the parks, and Whole Foods on 8th and Grand. Honestly, you can find me there like three times per day…Otherwise, I am not the guide, but I sure could use one!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be doing this work today without the guidance of my former partner who taught me so much about this business and without the faith placed in me by the talented creators I represent to do good work on their behalf so they can focus on improving their own crafts.

Website: https://www.millaymedia.com

Other: Threads @millaymedia

I’m not too active on social media. Our TT and IG are mostly to watch out creators and send messages. We don’t really post much, except for on Threads, which I’ve just discovered and am enjoying.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.