Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Beilin.
Holly, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I received my degree in International Studies and worked for a brief stint in the policy world as a fellow in D.C., but my first love was always writing and storytelling. I landed my first real communications role at an academic research institution in the Research Triangle Park area, where I worked side-by-side with technology researchers to publicize their findings and projects to the general public. I covered industries ranging from big data to health and life sciences technology to cyber-infrastructure and security. Following this, I moved to Atlanta to work on the PR team at a rapidly-growing digital health company. I became heavily involved in the various groups amongst the tech and startup scene of Atlanta and got to know the local media. It was through these connections that I landed my current role as Editor-in-Chief of Hypepotamus, the Atlanta-based startup and technology publication. In the little over a year I’ve been on the team, we’ve become the leading (and one of the only) sources of startup and tech-specific news and coverage in the region. We’ve promoted dozens of events to the community and increased our audience and views by more than double. It’s been so much fun to get back to my journalism roots and be able to tell the stories of the region’s growing and thriving entrepreneurial scene.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No road is perfectly smooth, especially in Atlanta — have you seen our potholes? Seriously though, I’ve struggled throughout my career with feeling like I need to know exactly what it is I want to “be when I grow up” — a publicist? A journalist? An entrepreneur? But I’ve grown to be okay with the fact that these things can change, and I know that as long as I’m doing something I enjoy and ultimately, also helping other people in some way, I can be a little flexible around the definitions.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Hypepotamus (“Hype”) is the leading source of news, resources, interviews, events and jobs for the flourishing southern startup and tech community. Based in Atlanta, we cover companies and entrepreneurs from Alabama, North and South Carolina, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Hype aims to generate national attention and awareness for the entrepreneurial and technology community of the southeast, an often-overlooked region.
We are proud of our in-depth reporting on issues like diversity and inclusivity trends, up-and-coming startups, and disruptive, game-changing technologies. We’re also happy to offer a non-monetary event media partnership and a totally free events calendar and job board.
What were you like growing up?
My teachers and parents used to say I always had my head in a book — or hidden under the desk, if we’re talking elementary school. I was that kid who could pull stories out of thin air — I got in trouble more than a few times for coming up with elaborate stories about why I hadn’t done my math homework (math remains firmly in the category of “not a strength”). My affinity for writing grew out of my love for reading and storytelling finesse. I was always social and enjoyed meeting new people — I recognized from an early age that it was a lot more fun to talk to someone with a totally different perspective of the world than someone who was exactly like me. I always loved being outside, which continues to this day, but had the hand-eye coordination skills of a wall (also consistent here). My fundamental character traits haven’t actually changed that much, and honestly, I feel like if I met my current self 20 years ago, I’d probably recognize me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hypepotamus.com
- Email: updates@hypepotamus.com
- Instagram: @hypepotamus
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hypepotamus/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/hypepotamus/
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
