Today we’d like to introduce you to Iris Cochran.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Iris. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up with a single mom, and she has always been an entrepreneur. She encouraged my brother and I to get out there and work and to follow our passion.
When the Great Recession hit, it hit hard for my family. We lost everything, and I started college in the same year. I have been on my own since 18 and been working hard ever since.
My last two years of college, I interned and eventually got hired on to worked with Georgia Public Broadcast. I knew I loved the broadcasting business and videography and directing. I love the whole process of production, post-production and video editing, too.
Once I graduated, I decided to go travel to Australia on a work-holiday visa. I stayed in worked various jobs for a year. My travel time there opened my mind to different cultures, environmental science and how to adapt quickly.
I came back to Atlanta to work in the broadcasting business, I worked on training videos with Home Depot, Emory University, Amazon, and smaller video productions to for local businesses and non-profits.
After working two years, I decided to go on a volunteer trip to Ethiopia, Africa. I went to travel on to Dubai, Australia and lived in New Zealand for six months on a work-holiday visa. I worked as a receptionist and had an incredible time and a growth in maturity while making life-long family friends and having a clear understanding of what my pursuit of happiness will look like when I moved back to Atlanta.
I have been back for less than a year now, and I have my own business called Just Dance LLC, doing Videography and Video Editing and photography. I have worked and freelanced with Aflac, Royal, Department of Labor, The German Consulate and various smaller productions, too.
It has been amazing to have the mentors that I have had the opportunity to work for and learn from. I would not be where I am without those few people to help me through the years. Just want to give out an incredible thank you to all of those people that have seen the best in me and know my potential!
When I am not broadcast freelancing, I run two other business with my mom, Donna Brooks. TLC is the business that I own with my mom that is a pet-care and childcare business, and a real estate company together, too.
I also believe in helping my local community, and I volunteer with drawchange, a non-profit, and I am throwing the first gala for drawchange in Nov. 9 to help raise money for homeless children through art and art therapy in Atlanta, Orlando, Fla., New York, Kentucky, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Ethiopia.
So excited to see what will come in my next opportunities with my broadcasting career and expanding my Just Dance LLC business!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think everyone has had their share of challenges along the way. I defiantly have learned to fail with grace, and pick myself back up and dust off and move forward again. It is just the name of the game, and where my strongest asset lies in those challenging moments, I come up with creative solutions and communicate extremely well.
Just Dance – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Just Dance LLC is a Videography, Video Editing and Photography business. I have provided freelance work as director, videographer, video editor, audio, lighting, grip, producers assistant, production assistant, stage manager, prompter, technical director, site manager, graphic design, social media manager, create and maintain websites. I also provide craft and services, make-up and hospitality.
I am most proud of my company for the professional high-quality standards that is provided for every project.
I would say what sets Just Dance apart from others is we perform the best work for every project presented with integrity, optimism and commitment.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I have three proudest moment of my career so far is when I directed, filmed, edited, light, audio for a six week series for Emory University, a training video helping with elderly care. The second proudest moment is when I was honored at Georgia Tech for my video editing skills, where I worked with the German consulate, Belgium consulate, French consulate. Switzerland consulate and Ireland consulate on a video about environmental science. My third proudest moment is when I saw credits for a Graphic Designer on a documentary filmed called Down the Dixie Highway with Georgia Public Broadcast.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://iriscochran.wixsite.com/portfolio
- Phone: 678-325-8016
- Email: iris.cochran116@gmail.com
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iris-cochran-77467769/
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