Life and Work with Catina Hunt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Catina Hunt.

Catina Hunt – native Houstonian, loving mother (Terrance, Leandra, and Cy’ren), and proud grandmother, affectionately known as “GIA” (Grandma Is Awesome). Catina is successful enough to fail, serious enough to ask questions, stable enough to cry, and leading enough to serve. She is a passionate writer, producer, and entrepreneur. There is not much that this creative soul will not try. While pursuing a University of Phoenix degree in Business Management, with a concentration in entrepreneurship, Hunt has birthed several business adventures. Her passion for writing began as a hobby, but later evolved into church programs and drama ministry. In 2005, The St. Luke drama ministry presented its finale performance at the famous Six Flags, Astroworld Gospel Explosion. This was the motivation needed to pioneer Restored Entertainment, which launched in 2008.

Restored Entertainment’s main purpose is to create a platform for the arts with a focus on  on-stage and behind the scenes creativity. As a for-profit organization, Restored is founded on spiritual and traditional belief. The passion to cultivate the mind of creatives, while ministering a thought-provoking message, is the firm foundation of this organization. Restored Entertainment strives to tell innovative stories, direct real-life situations, and impact the lives of our audience. I n2012, Restored Entertainment joined the National Association of Professional Women. This collaboration provided exposure and networking opportunities for our organization. Restored has been responsible for multiple productions in the past ten years. These include, “Do You Have Time” adapted to “I’m All Caught Up”, “Trouble Don’t Last Always,” “Starting Over”, and “Somers Storm”. In 2014, Restored adapted a novel to stage entitled, “Only The Lonely Can Play” and “Retribution” that was produced under the umbrella of Five Flames Productions. The original goal of this organization evolved from stage to now include film. As we move forward on this quest, remember: “The Task Before Us Is No Greater Than The Power Behind!”

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?
Has it been a smooth road? Interesting question. Webster defines an entrepreneur as a person who organizes, manages, and assumes the risk of a business or enterprise. I have been taking on greater than normal financial risks, while exploring my dreams and vision, with hopes to profit. This journey has truly been gratifying, as well as stressful. Each production, in the past ten years, has channeled its own challenges and misunderstandings. When launching Restored Entertainment, I leaned on several partners to contribute their talents and experience. I later realize that the best decision was to learn as I go by research and gaining an understanding. I had to educate myself. Figuring out a budget, proper venue, marketing strategy, and casting a vision just right can be tedious, but fulfilling. Some of the struggles along the way have been in the area of communication in collaborative projects and taking risk with the budget by maneuvering personal expenses to pay project expenses… all with hopes to profit. I learned that marketing with friends and family first is not always the best strategy.

Maya Angelou says it best “When a person shows you who they are the first time, believe them!” If I could advise someone pursuing this industry, my first piece of advice is to plan the process. Habakkuk 2:2  says to “write the vision, make it plain”. Take things one step at a time. Research successful persons in your role, but be original. Do not try to mimic what you see. Someone once said, “Burger King is not bothered by McDonald’s and they still let you have it your way.” Find a role that fits your gifts. Then hire experts to carry out the rest of your vision. We all need a strong team who can play their part.

Please tell us about Restored Entertainment.
Ten plus years in the entertainment industry has afforded Restored Entertainment several phenomenal opportunities. As previously mentioned, Restored Entertainment launched in 2008 by the passionate writer, Catina Hunt. The ultimate goal was to mentor through the creative process of production- from the vantage point of onstage, backstage and behind the scenes. The passion to cultivate the mind of our youth, while ministering a thought-provoking message, is the firm foundation that Catina hoped would drive this organization. Since 2008, we have performed in several of the historic venues in the Houston area. These include: Heinen Theatre, which has been in existence since 1924; Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center; The Crossing Community Church; Southwest Community Church; and recently, The Stafford Civic Center. We have worked with some of the local new and upcoming talents. We have also produced several Restored Entertainment originals, along with adapting a novel to stage and now, venturing into film. Catina humbly believes that writing and producing are the gifts she embodies. In 2019, Catina took on the position as project manager for several clients. Working on Snapptalk with Shaundra’s podcast as show coordinator, assisting with pioneering the movement for Felicia Speaks, and producing several other ventures. What sets Restored Entertainment apart from the competitor is the love we have for our actors. This year, someone spoke over my life and said: “God saw me as a Watchman”. I can see that because our first and foremost concern is the people who work for the productions. Catina leans on JD. Laguerre, who has been in the business for more than twenty-five years. His expertise as an actor and vision for directors helps to establish lasting relationships for the organization. Catina has a heart for people and lives by the Golden Rule “Do unto others as you will have them do unto you.” The final piece to the puzzle is Felicia Lamb, who operates as marketing director. The three combine their work ethics and personal experience to ensure that every production is professionally ran.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
Like most of the world, YouTube and Google operate as the go-to apps. Everything we need to produce a show can be found using those resources. I like to support local productions to witness innovative ideas. This year, I have produced on a podcast. To gain more knowledge, I watch several others to compare such as: Omari Hardwick; Red Table Talk; and a few others on Instagram. I am producing a radio show so I focus on existing shows as a guide. I enjoy self-help books. This year, I have read a few of Bruce Wilkinson such as, “The Dream Giver” and a new author who wrote, “A Striving Woman Styled by Grace: Unthinkable”. My mentors include Steve Harvey, Oprah Winfrey, and Tyler Perry. I tune into whatever I can access. TD Jakes, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and several gospel artists provide inspiration daily. Restored Entertainment’s motto is: “The Task Before Us, Is No Greater Than the Power Behind.” So, I take one day at a time.

Contact Info:

• Email: restoredentertainment@gmail.com
• Instagram: @restored_08
• Facebook: @restoredentertainment

Image Credit:
Glamorusk Photography, Thomas Phoenix Photography

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