Meet Kyra Hurlbut | SAG-AFTRA Actor & Social Media Agency Owner

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

Hi Kyra, how do you think about risk?
Risk is something that I’ve always been scared of, and I believe is what a lot of us fear. We want safety, security and to have a feeling that everything will be okay. But the truth is, nothing good comes from staying comfortable. This is something I tell myself everyday.

As an artist and business owner, I challenge myself everyday to take risks. I’ve had to switch my mindset around risk a lot recently in order to move forward and have new opportunities arise. I am a very much type A personality who likes to have a solid plan and minimize risk factor. It wasn’t until 2023 that I really had to embrace risk. Embracing risk came with a lot of emotions and seeking validation. The truth is, as an artist and business owner with an incredible support system, I was having a lot of opinions coming towards me and I had to learn to graciously hear everyone and then get really quiet and ask, “What do I want?” And trust that the answer would come to me even when I didn’t know what to do.

Essentially, without taking risks, you never would know what lies on the other side. Life is so short, don’t have any regrets. Take the leap and trust that the parachute will come out as you are free falling. If things don’t work out, you start again. That’s the beautiful thing about life. Try Again. Fail. Fail Better. And DON’T LET YOUR EGO GET IN THE WAY! Ego prevents you from taking risk.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a professionally trained SAG-AFTRA Actor and the owner of Lost Objects, a thriving social media management agency. My journey has allowed me to discover and pursue two incredible passions. Firstly, there’s my enduring love for acting, driven by the profound impact storytelling can have on people. Whether it’s forging connections with unfamiliar narratives or providing solace through a character’s journey, the transformative power of storytelling is what fuels my dedication to the craft.

Unexpectedly, my second passion emerged during the pandemic in 2020 when I stepped in to assist my family’s company, Filmmakers Academy. This online educational resource for cinematographers and filmmakers presented a unique challenge that led me to delve into social media management and marketing strategy. Over the past four years, I’ve immersed myself in studying the dynamic landscape of social media, expanding my expertise, and carving a niche in the film industry. This journey, alongside my partner Brendan Sweeney, paved the way for the creation of Lost Objects.

While both acting and entrepreneurship have been marked by challenges, I firmly believe that nothing great comes without effort. As an artist, financial struggles are omnipresent, often requiring numerous unpaid projects and flexible side jobs to cover the costs of living in Los Angeles. The fear of the unknown looms large, with only a small percentage of actors reaching the pinnacle of success. Despite these challenges, finding the delicate balance between acknowledging the harsh realities and nurturing dreams is paramount. The entertainment industry is rife with uncertainties, from the lack of feedback after auditions to the incessant comparison with others. Overcoming these personal struggles involves recognizing the uniqueness of each individual’s journey and trusting that what is meant for us will inevitably find its way.

Embarking on the journey of building a business brought its own set of dreams and harsh realities. As eager, albeit naive, business owners, Brendan and I set out to make our mark in the realm of social media management. Little did we anticipate the multitude of challenges and lessons awaiting us. Navigating the ever-evolving digital landscape required constant adaptation and a humbling acknowledgment that new lessons would always arise, no matter how well we planned.

In the dynamic world of social media management, professionalism combined with relatability is the key to success. We have evolved not just as business owners, but as individuals who understand the intricacies of this industry. As we continue to navigate this ever-changing landscape, Lost Objects remains committed to providing top-notch social media solutions while remaining approachable and relatable to our clients. More than just a business, Lost Objects stands as a testament to our resilience, adaptability, and enduring entrepreneurial spirit.

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.
I live in West Hollywood and here are my favorite places/things to do:

Going Out:
-Apartment 200
-Hyde
-WeHo Bars

Food:
-Butcher Baker Capuccino Maker
-Nobu
-Urth Caffe
-It’s Pho

Activities:
-Melrose Trading Post on Sundays
-Shopping on Melrose
-Hiking on Runyon

This isn’t the biggest list but a handful of things I enjoy!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents and my incredible boyfriend and my friends! (I know it’s a lot of people but I have the best support system.)

My parents Lydia and Shane Hurlbut are the best and most supportive people, I seriously don’t know what I would do without them .

They have encouraged me to pursue my dreams ALWAYS and to never give up. They have been there to catch me when I fall and wipe my tears. They have inspired me to take the world on and be unapologetic. Growing up in this loving and supportive environment has made me who I am today.

My mom, Lydia Hurlbut, is the CEO of Filmmakers Academy, a Reiki Master and life coach. She has always championed health and wellness and has taught me so much about business and the importance of taking care of myself. The life advice that she has given me has changed my perspective and helped me grow in ways that I never thought of. This is a huge shoutout to her. For all of her love, resilience and sacrifice for our family. And for anyone looking for life/business/relationship coaching she is PHENOMENAL and her reiki sessions have made me heal in ways I can’t explain. She is a healer in all of the terms of the word. I would suggest you to reach out to her at: lydia@filmmakersacademy.com to book a session, it will open your mind and change your life.

My dad, Shane Hurlbut, ASC is a master cinematographer and amazing human. Getting to watch him do what he loves brings me so much joy. I learned so much from him about resilience, work ethic, and pursuing a career in the film industry. His passion and dedication is something that is so beautiful and rare. He wakes up everyday ready to take on any challenge and find a way to make it work. Despite being gone for a lot of my childhood, he has always prioritized being there for my family and maintaining a relationship with my brother and I. He and my mom are still so in love and have been married for 35 years, something that is so rare in the film industry.

Words can’t describe the love and gratitude I have for my parents.

My boyfriend, Brendan Sweeney, is the most intelligent, kind, thoughtful and talented partner. He helped me create our social media management company, Lost Objects, and has been my partner in crime since we met. I’ve never had someone unconditionally love me, want to experience life with me, and push me to be better. I owe so much to this man and just want to say THANK YOU! You are my person, I couldn’t do life without you!

My best friends Soyana Pigniat and Ally Moyer are such incredible women that I’m blessed to have in my life. I’ve known them both for 7 years. I met Ally in high school and we clicked ever since. Not even a year into knowing each other, we traveled the world and saw Prague, London, Paris and Barcelona together. She’s a boss lady who is so intelligent, kind, and hilarious. Her words of support, advice and encouragement have helped me immensely in this journey. She has taught me so much about life and I am forever grateful.

I met Soyana in Manhattan while we were studying acting at AMDA. She is such a beautiful, talented, and incredible woman. She just exudes light. We are always on the same wave length and her love and friendship has helped me beyond words. Whether we are helping each other with a self tape, going to acting class, going out dancing, talking deeply about life, or having our own book club, we are always in sync. Thank you for all of the support, adventures, and memories. I love you more than words!

Website: https://www.wearelostobjects.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyragracee/ https://www.instagram.com/wearelostobjects/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyra-hurlbut-342b921b7/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/96047002

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyra.hurlbut

Image Credits
Jeremy Pavia, Steven Napolitano