Today we’d like to introduce you to Imeh Esen.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
When I was very young, as young as below 10 years of age, I knew, I wanted to be behind the scenes in a film studio. I would watch movies like Superman, even the local news and want to be the person making that happen behind the camera.
Fast forward many years I left pursuing an engineering degree to finally pursue my passion. Why engineering? Because all my young life, for various reasons, I hadn’t been brave enough to follow what I truly wanted to do. When I finally did I went fully into it but not wisely and after a setback coupled with my desire to be an involved, active mom to my kids, I took a hiatus from the industry. I did leave with an award-winning feature film under my belt though. The next years began with questions.
These were questions about myself. They involved discovery of self, dealing with insecurities, dealing with unknowns, as well as doubts and hidden fears. I also began to see these questions asked in some way by every woman I met. This led to me somehow mentoring a few as we tried to sort through life, as well as teaching bible studies. I actually had begun to think that mentoring might be my calling. But filmmaking and the old need to be in the creative space began to rise within me at some point.
I can’t remember the exact moment but somewhere, as my heart turned back to my love for filmmaking, ALVN was born. ALVN was founded to use my creative talent of filmmaking to connect people and address many themes women understand and deal with but in entertaining ways. Some of our movies will deal with questions I and other women have asked as well as our resolutions.
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?
It was not a smooth road but the rough road was more within me than outside me. Maturity, knowledge of self, patience, self-belief and inner security had to be attained or reached to be able to be here and enjoy the process.
I will address one inner conflict I had and that was comparing. I have always been very ambitious and had set goals and timeframes to attain things. Not reaching those goals made me compare myself to other people I felt were accomplished. This was unhealthy in itself because it bred discontentment, lack of pleasure in the process and impatience.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the ALVN, A Lady’s Voice Network story. Tell us more about the business.
My business is called ALVN, A Lady’s Voice Network. Think of it as a Netflix meets blogging. Basically it is a website video streaming platform for women to watch short films or read stories that women we meet anywhere share with us. In addition, they can join a conversation with other women on themes in our movies or street stories that resonate with them.
We want to create a space where women can learn, dialogue, be inspired, motivated and get another perspective that can help them develop in any area of their life. Our movies are very short, between 5 to 15 mins because we want our audience to be able to watch us on a quick break or commute – a little nugget within their busy day.
I specialize in writing and directing the original movies, as well as curating others that fit our mission. I also oversee the general direction of the company.
I am most proud that we simply started. I had an idea and I went for it and day by day, I’m working the vision. That’s an accomplishment.
We are different in our offering because we are using movies to tap into the growing self-development market. We are women speaking to women using the most immersive form of communication there is – movies! I’ve heard people use the word ‘cinematherapy’ with us… maybe.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Hmmm, I don’t particularly believe in luck. This is what I believe in. There is a time for everything in life and while you are waiting for the right time, your time, it is best to hone your craft, network, work hard and be resilient.
Honing your craft makes you ready for when the opportunity presents itself. The opportunity gets closer and closer as you build relationships via networking and hard work and resilience will keep you on the path when you are tempted to give up.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alvnetwork.com
- Phone: 281-250-6493
- Email: business@alvnetwork.com
- Instagram: @alvnetwork
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALVNetwork/
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