Meet Kyle Kuhns: Founder & CEO, XX Artists

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

Hi Kyle, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
If I’m being entirely honest with myself, the business I set out to start is entirely different than the business that I run today. In the early 2010s, after more than a year of applying and being denied for jobs across the entertainment industry, it became apparent that my CV (which was zero at that point!) was not one that was going to get me into the world of entertainment. With that I started XX Artists initially as an artist management company, and quickly gathered a few indie music clients. It was by necessity that I ultimately started XX as a means to getting my foot in the door with my own business instead of waiting around for gatekeepers at behemoth entertainment companies in LA to give me a chance inside their walls. I am entirely grateful for every “no” that I got from those companies looking back!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I dropped out of a vocal performance major at Willamette University when I was 18. By 19, I was in LA and pursuing a career in entertainment (while working at the Starbucks off the 134 in Glendale!). After a year or two, I had finally found a “grown-up” job as an Executive Assistant to the CEO of one of LA’s largest custom costuming companies – working to assist projects that came to life at Disney parks, Universal Studios theme parks around the world, and arena shows like Disney on Ice. I had a great mentor in my boss, the CEO, who provided me a real-life example of a gay CEO within entertainment. Under that job, I made the (in hindsight, somewhat bold) move to ask my boss for one day off per week to work on what I wanted to pursue long term: my own entertainment company, XX Artists. He graciously accepted and the rest… was a lot of hard work but now history! We stand today at XX Artists as a social marketing company focused on building community through content online. Our team is majority female and majority diverse by race and orientation. We’re based in Playa Vista (pre-pandemic) and are now a team of 45+ mainly spread throughout the greater LA region + a few in other states (with one in Puerto Rico!). I have lived in Glendale, Valencia, West Hollywood, Hollywood and Westchester/Playa Vista during my near decade in LA.

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’d have to say a boat day in Marina Del Rey, with to-go lunch from Gjusta. Follow it up with a night in with Night + Market thai food delivery and perhaps a Salt and Straw visit to cap the night. Sounds like a perfect day to me!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Jason Vaughan, CEO of Le Chef Costumier gets my shout out! Jason was my first boss and mentor in Los Angeles and was the one who allowed for me to start my company, XX Artists, while working for him. Without his guidance and blessing in starting my own endeavor (while also working for him!) I wouldn’t be in the situation I am in today.

Website: www.xxartists.com

Instagram: @xxartists

Linkedin: @xxartists + @kylekuhns

Twitter: @xxartists

Facebook: @xxartists