Kristy Cooper, head of Team Cooper Entertainment, is a six-time Emmy award-winning showrunner/executive producer with over 23 years of experience in media. Cooper has managed and developed projects for the Department of Defense, PBS, CNN, BNC, ESPN, and production companies.
Learn more about Kristy here:
What has been our greatest & favorite achievement so far and why?
My greatest achievement is my son. He is my most challenging and rewarding project to date. Second, winning my last set of Emmy awards, which was an acknowledgment from industry peers who understood the excellence and quality of the shows I produced.
If you are an entrepreneur/self-employed, what motivated you to start your own business?
Spite. All jokes aside, I recognized a need for positive storytelling in an industry saturated with negative content. I receive indescribable joy from helping my inspirational clients shape and share their stories.
What does success mean to you?
Success for me is a goal attained after sustained tenacity. It’s not giving up no matter the naysayers, circumstances, or inner battles.
What is your mantra or favorite saying? (If it's a known quote, please let us know who said it first!)
“That was fun, but now it’s done” from the PBS animated preschool series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, which is based on Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. There’s simplicity and maturity in this life lesson about contentment, acceptance, and moving on that even adults can learn from.
What failure taught you the most about life or business? What was the lesson?
I have learned that self-promotion is vital to success because the squeaky wheel gets the oil. My failures have come from my own humility, which stems from acknowledging the work of others over my contributions.
What's your favorite book - fiction or non-fiction! - in the past year?
Currently reading – Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
If you could teach the world one five-minute lesson, what would it be?
I’d teach that we need to extend grace because we are all more alike than different, made of blood and bone, with similar needs, aspirations and fears.
Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently when you were first starting out?
There’s a great education (and bravery) that comes from jumping in feet first, but I would have studied longer and more in-depth.
What does women's empowerment look like to you in action?
Women empowerment in action, to me, is elevating the voices of women in leadership at all levels from teachers to CEOs, it’s understanding unique viewpoints from the college student who protests inequalities to the anchor expressing her opinion live on air, it’s the celebration of the contribution of women worldwide and the honest efforts to raise the status of women in all areas.
What would you tell 19-year-old YOU?
Stress is a choice. All things work together for good.
What will 86-year-old you want you to know TODAY?
Live in the moment and be present.
Does anyone call you by a nickname? What is it?
I have organic nicknames that showcase various time periods in my life. Loved ones call me “Kris,” at news networks my maiden name has been shortened to “KJ” (there’s no time for long announcements), and most intimately, “Samone,” which is my middle name. This was my name during my 20s when by day I produced for a major network, but by night I worked in the clubs.
What is your favorite place for our audience to reach you?
What is your favorite quote? (It can be yours or from someone that you look up to.)
“Flaws are a part of the journey. Embrace them.” – Kristy Cooper
