As a kid, a common theme on my report card was "Kevin has a vivd imagination" and "Kevin talks a lot." So far both have served me very well.
Growing up, I was fascinated with the radio. Actually believed bands went to radio stations and played songs live. Then my mom shattered my world and explained what a record is and how you play it.
I would spend a lot time in my bedroom with my little portable turntable-in-a-box, spinning my 45s (Google it) and talking into my handmade microphone. I’m pretty sure I even did news and traffic reports too.
Imagine how my world went boom when I finally got the chance to be on the radio! Yeah, spin records, play tapes, talk into a real mic and get paid for it. Okay, the pay sucked but I was working in radio. A small, day-timer, all gospel radio station managed by an older guy who lived at home with his parents and his pet peg. Sorry, can’t make that up. But still, I was on the radio. I was in media!
Then TV came knocking in the form of a brand new start-up station that would eventually become part of the first group of FOX affiliates. Despite having no TV experience, the hired me as the Promotion Manager. If you count my Graphic Artist, we were a staff of two. I made $14,000 a year, before taxes, and was having an absolute blast!
It was my first TV job and I totally fell in love with the creative process. Writing, shooting, editing, being on-camera and behind-the-camera.
Over the years, I would work for other TV stations affiliated with CBS, ABC, and NBC. Actually ended my career back at a FOX station leading an amazing, award-winning creative team.
Then after 24 years with an amazing locally-owned broadcasting company, my position was cut. Even though I knew the day was coming, I wasn't bitter then nor will I ever be. I'd been blessed to work in an industry that I loved for many, many years.
It was actually the owner who told me my position was being eliminated. After we talked for a bit, I remember him saying: “it’s going to be hard Kevin.”
And he was right.
But hard can be a good thing. It made me step back and do a lot, and I mean a lot of introspection about who I am and what I’m supposed to do.
“Wait,” you may say “I thought you always wanted to do creative stuff?”
I did.
And I do.
But I also allowed myself to do something I was so against. I allowed myself to be defined by my job. By my title. Do not misunderstand what I’m saying. I totally LOVED what I did and the team around me, who for the record, were way more creative than me on any given day.
What I mean is this.
Before when people would ask, “what do you do?” I would say “I’m a Creative Director” and they would usually say “Oh! Cool!”...even though there was a strong chance they had no idea what I really did, like my parents, but that’s another story.
Now I was on my own and when someone would ask what I do, I would hesitate, fumble around, mutter things about creating and change the subject. I had allowed my job, my what, to define my why. I had gotten it all out of whack to the point I did A LOT of journaling, praying, talking with friends and crying out about what I was supposed to be doing.
Then it hit me.
It’s not the what. It’s the why. And I say this with the full disclosure I can still occasionally struggle with this. Being a creative person is hard enough. Add in starting and running your creative business and you can increase the insecurity and uncertainty.
So a funny thing happened. My struggle got me out of a comfort-zone I had settled into. A trap, if you will, of making a really good salary with great benefits but not really being pushed anymore to really do anything more than what was expected. The trappings of trying to do what was safe and measurable too often led to just being and maintaining.
For the first time, i was free to do as much or even as little as I wanted to. I could create something if for no other reason than I just wanted to do it. I could choose who I worked with and worked for. Yes, I have bills to pay and a family to support, but I do have the freedom to partner with people I like and want to help.
I finally discovered what my real why was and why it is more important than my what. My why is this: Honor God. Support family. Help others. That is the core of why I do what I do. Why I want to use the gifts I’ve been given.
Here’s the real crazy part. Everyone of us has gifts. You. Me. Everyone.
I realized that God had closed that chapter of my story and had turned the page on my next chapter. That’s when I believe He made my why very clear. Actually, He’d made it clear before, I just didn’t listen very well.
I started my own business and called it Kevin Kolbe Media, LLC so I could help others create, share their gifts, and impact others too.
So, that’s my story. Ok, that’s not all of my story. I'm also a husband, dad of three - including one with special needs, and a Jesus follower.
Appreciate you reading my story. Now it's time to share yours with the world.
Let's go!
Kevin