Meet Skylar Dawn | CEO & Founder

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

Hi Skylar, how do you think about risk?

Taking risk in your career means you want to move forward with yourself and grow to better opportunities. It also means you’re putting fear aside. Fear is the number one thing that holds people back. People think that taking a risk means that they can lose everything. But, people need to stop thinking that way and they need to start thinking of the good that can happen when they follow their dreams, instead of thinking of the bad.  Thinking of the bad outcomes can hold you back. People need to get out of that thought pattern. Getting out of that thought pattern means you have control of your mind, and in control of what you want in life. But I will say, if you feel deep down that an opportunity might be too risky. Analyze the situation, and see if there are any benefits from it.

When I jumped into my career with the studio, people thought I was crazy and a lot of people thought that it wasn’t going to work. Tiger Lab became a successful production studio in Los Angeles that started from nothing – just one black backdrop and 3 soft-boxes I had set up in my living room. When I decided to take that jump and start Tiger Lab, I wasn’t thinking of what I could lose if I started my own studio, and brought in a team to build it with me. I was thinking of the possibilities of what could happen.. You want your dreams to become your reality? Then you better take that jump without any fear. Look at the risk you’re taking as a jump to become everything you ever wanted. The road to success is not an easy road. There will be sleepless nights, loss of friends, doing a lot of things alone, people misunderstanding and underestimating you, and missing family get-togethers. I have missed so many family parties that I don’t even get invited to them anymore. The only time I see my family is mainly during the holidays, but most of them understand what I am doing now, and don’t mind. Even though we would like to see each other more. There will be setbacks, and if you’re starting a company in the entertainment industry, understand you will be taking hard hits. This industry is extremely tough, especially starting a company in it. But, don’t let those hard hits keep you down because, each time that you get up from taking those hits, you will stand stronger than before.

When COVID hit Los Angeles, and everything was forced to shut down, I saw the spark and drive in creatives start to die. Only because of the fear of what could happen in the entertainment industry. Most of them decided to leave the industry because they didn’t know what direction to take career wise. And, I couldn’t sit back and let that happen.  I’m also starting an consulting firm, called Aurora Advisors. To teach creatives on how to establish a successful company in the entertainment industry. To teach them how to get their dream started and how to become the successful creative that they want to be. It’s also to teach people how to build a studio of their own, how to become an established artist in the film and music industry, how to start any kind of company or establish a brand in the creative world. I want there to be more studios, I want people to live the lifestyle they want, while using their creative talents to get them there.

One thing about me, I want all of us to grow and make it.

Take those risks. Lose your fear. Become everything you ever wanted and more. If I can do it, you can do it too.

What should our readers know about your business?
Tiger Lab is the newest modern studio in LA. Beautiful space available for photography, commercial video filming, production, and events. Fully digital and modernized photography studio. Conveniently located in the valley, near the I-405 and 101. Close to the Getty Center. 20min from Hollywood and 45min from Downtown LA, in the neighborhood of Lake Balboa. Available for photography and filming rentals. Clean and professional space to impress your clients and provide comfort your crew working at the studio. Large cyc-wall for filming and photoshoots with an RGB grid (which means you can change the wall any color), a raw warehouse, music videos, castings, productions. Amenities include media room, client lounge, changing room, makeup and hair station, parking, air conditioned, kitchenette, an artist lounge, bar set, free wi-fi, and so much more. We are a popular private celebrity studio in Los Angeles. Our doors are open for all creative minds that want to watch their vision come to life. We are going on our 5th year. And, in our first year we have had LA Lakers, power 106 employees, major rock bands, major record labels, movie stars, Pop stars, Hip-hop stars, Indie Movies, Major movie companies, Reality TV shows, car commercials, Artist from around the world and more all walk through our doors and use our studio. Everything you just read of what the studio is and who our clients are, was not easy to build. Everything to establish our brand took a lot of time. And, we had a lot obstacles come our way. But, we didn’t let anything stop us to get to where we want to go. I saw every wall that was being built in front of us, as another wall that needed to be kicked down. I don’t like staying in the same position or stop at a certain point business wise. I think to see possibilities as limitless, so why stop at one point in your career or with your company? When you get go further than ever. Don’t let you mind hold you back, keep going. Remember infinite possibilities, infinite potential.

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 love going to the Ace hotel they have an amazing rooftop restaurant, Cliftons Republic. Or, go to Hollywood for a night out and to meet new people. Santa Monica is fun at night in the summer, and so is the west side. In Orange County, I love going to The Winery for dinner.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First off I want to shout out all the clients and everyone who has supported this studio through the years. A huge thank you to my intermediate family. They have supported my dream since the day I walked into the room the told them I wanted to start a production studio. Even though some of them didn’t understand what I was doing at first, they still supported my dream. My friends in Orange County who I known since childhood, But I rarely seen them. Some of them have the link to the studio in their bios on their Instagram just to show support. And, I get texts from people I haven’t talked to in years, telling me even though we don’t talk, that they are rooting that we make it.

Of course the whole current studio team. My COO Leslie Gladney who is on top of everything, and see things I might have missed and wants to see the studio succeed. Our in house DP and bookings Vincent “Wackoe” Hernandez , who has an amazing creative and has a sharp mind. Keishawn Blackstone for always being there when I needed him, he’s another great friend and creative mind. When it comes to business and creating. Everyone else who has helped through the years and who have been there. I thank and appreciate all of you.

Website: www.tigerlabla.com
Instagram: @Skylar.dawnn
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/SkylarDawn

Image Credits
Photo of Skylar Dawn by Keishawn Blackstone