Name: Stephanie Tsoflias Siegel
Job Title and Description: Founder and CEO of Reel Media Group
College Name/Major: Syracuse University/Broadcast Journalism, Newhouse School of Journalism
Twitter Handle: @stephtsoflias
Tell me a little bit about Reel Media Group. You started it as a gateway to empowering women in journalism, can you expand on the company’s mission? In other words, what inspired you to start Reel Media Group?
I started Reel Media Group for two reasons. 1) There was a need in this industry for a true mentorship program. You can feel very alone in the business of broadcasting. Typically, young reporters are tossed into small markets where they know no one and live on an impossibly tight budget. But you do it because this is your dream job. But who do you talk to when it feels too lonely? When you’re too broke to buy dinner? I wanted to create a community for journalists to get support – whether it be to gain access to the top talent coaches, network or find resources to grow professionally. And 2) I started teaching for MediaBistro when I was a reporter at WPIX.
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
I’m a business owner and full time mom. There is never ever a typical day but I welcome it. I thrive in hectic environments and love that one day is never the same.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love that I get to empower people to live their dreams everyday. I also get to be a role model and mentor young women.
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
I’ve made a million mistakes and will make a million more. I have learned that it’s important to be gentle with yourself.
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
I had been working with the national basketball retired players association to create its first broadcast training program for almost a year. We hosted our first boot camp in Las Vegas in July. I cried on the plane ride there. If you have a vision, plan and focus on that – things do happen.
What advice would you give to a 20 something with similar aspirations?
Be patient and don’t give up.
You talk about empowering women in journalism, and Her Campus is the perfect embodiment of that campaign. What opportunities are available at your company for girls reading Her Campus at Marist?
We have boot camps for aspiring broadcasters in NYC. Young women have a chance to work with on-air reporters in the number one market in the country to create demo reels. These women have worked their to the top and work along side young broadcasters to coach them in the field. This is not an experience one can learn in a classroom – for reporters it is essential to know how the pros do it in order to perform well in your job.