Lifestyle

The Entertainment Entrepreneur: Ben Stranahan

Published

6 years ago

September 2, 2020

The word entrepreneur means “the one who bears the risk.” It’s en vogue these days to be an entrepreneur, or at least to call yourself one. But very few are willing to put in the time, energy, and sacrifice required to live the entrepreneurial lifestyle and to make their dreams come to life.

Becoming an entrepreneur in the entertainment industry is especially difficult. Not only do you have to have a desire to create something that people want, namely, your ability to perform and produce great art, but you will often have to master a complicated maze of networks, bureaucracy, politics, and unspoken rules as well. It can be nightmarish, exhausting, and simply soul crushing. And for most who try, it is.

Ben Stranahan is an artist of the highest order. He’s carefully crafted a brand as a performer, actor, musician, producer, fitness enthusiast and so much more, consistently creating quality work year in and year out and landing production and acting roles at the highest level. He’s a regular feature for festival rollouts, and is no stranger to the Thespian world as well.

Ben explains, “We can and must change the world for the better and teach people through the arts and the many facets of storytelling.”

Ben has produced for and worked with actors such as Neve Campbell, Bill Paxton, Imogen Poots, Jack Lowden, Alex Wolff, Keir Gilchrist and many more.

As his website and IMDB describes, “He has an electric energy that is injected into every role and is known to be a Director’s actor, working with the people around him to bring out the most compelling and dynamic characters. Ben belongs on the stage and in front of the camera, feeling at home with other artists and performers.”

In the TV landscape, Ben has produced the smart anthology series The Midnight Anthology starring Clancy Brown. The pilot premiered at the New York Television Festival in 2015 and won both the Artistic Achievement and Best Director awards at the festival. Ben and the The Midnight Anthology team are in development on the remaining episodes of the series.

Ben’s biography further explains, “Ben, an Aspen, Colorado native who was raised by inspiring and creative parents, found himself at a young age gripped by a lifelong passion for the arts. Ben quotes something Richard Linklater say in an interview that has stuck with him: “People who ask me why I make films don’t understand that it’s not a choice. Painters paint, filmmakers make films.”

Being a filmmaker is part of who Ben is as much as anything else. He’s equally skilled on both sides of the camera, with lead roles in such films as Adam Levins Population Zero and Andrew Chan’s award winning anthology series, The Midnight Anthology, starring Clancy Brown . As a seasoned producer, Ben has produced many feature films including Mean Dreams starring Bill Paxton, Sophie Nélisse, Josh Wiggins and Colm Feore, which premiered in 2016 in the Directors Fortnight at Cannes and as a Special Presentation at TIFF. Mean Dreams went on to be sold into over 50 countries and have theatrical releases in over 10 territories. He’s also produced the genre-bending psychological thriller Population Zero that’s been critically lauded around the world and produced the thriller Calibre, which was released on Netflix in 2018 and was nominated for 4 BAFTA awards, winning one for Best Actor – Jack Lowden. (www.benstranahan.com)

His most recent production work was Castle in the Ground, starring Imogen Potts, Neve Campbell and Alex Wolff, Which premiered at TIFF and SXSW. (BenStranahan.com)

Learn more about Ben’s incredible career and work at www.benstranahan.com

Lifestyle

Kelli Lewis and Her Inspiration Behind KelliWorks

Published

2 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Michelle Langton

Kelli Lewis has made a name for herself through her virtual accounting firm KelliWorks which specializes in dealing with the finances of small and mid-sized businesses. The firm was established, keeping in mind the need for expert and technology-driven accounting services to cater mainly to small and mid-sized businesses. At a time when these small and mid-sized business owners were struggling with the inconsistencies in their accounting work, bookkeeping, and payroll management, Kelli came up with her firm that provided bookkeeping, financial strategy consulting, helping businesses to deal with their finances and giving solutions using technology, and payroll management.

Kelli uses her experience as a small business expert to help businesses still stuck with the conventional methods of accounting. Her firm, KelliWorks is remote and leverages the latest accounting technology and helps these small and mid-sized businesses find accurate and scalable solutions.

Kelli Lewis’ Inspirational Story in Being a Successful Small Business Expert

Born on April 5, 1985, in Orange, New Jersey, Kelli Lewis does not have any formal education, nor has she graduated from an educational institution. Kelli’s early years were spent on her mother’s recovery from a coma after a car accident. It was during that time while spending time with her mother at her rehabilitation, Kelli understood what it meant to be adaptable and perseverant. That, later on, went on to become the qualities she used in her business approach towards entrepreneurs. She built her career through hands-on experiences, an understanding of business operations and financial management, and mentorship.

Kelli’s story is inspiring because despite not having a formal degree, her business KelliWorks was created to encourage entrepreneurs to find their strength and build a team that compliments their workforce. Kelli’s understanding of how to sustain a business, future-proof business models, and implement financial safeguards have helped her guide businesses to navigate their obstacles.

She attributes her success at her business to the values she learned while growing up. She uses the experience gained through back-office management, business consulting, and accounting. That enabled her to understand the need to get rid of outdated accounting systems and come up with a modern one that was technology-based.

Her virtual accounting firm, KelliWorks offers a range of business and accounting consultations, and goes with the catchphrase, “KelliWorks, so you don’t have to”. They include:

● Bookkeeping and Payroll Management – This ensures accurate financial records and smooth payroll operations.

● Business Process Optimization – Helps to implement automated systems that will improve forecasting and financial decision making.

● Financial Strategy and Planning – Assists businesses with budgeting and cash flow efficiency. It reduces reliance on manual processes.

● Technology Integration – It utilizes cloud-based accounting software and financial tools to streamline business operations.

KelliWorks is dedicated to lessening the financial stress of small and mid-sized businesses by giving them support and proper financial guidance. The entrepreneurs are informed about the best practices they can adopt, the long-term successful financial strategies, and technology solutions. Their commitment to stay at the forefront of small business financial consulting is commendable. The firm deals with the financial aspects of the businesses and thereby helps the entrepreneurs concentrate on their business growth.

Running a successful business and managing a family can be a challenge. Kelli Lewis balances her family life with her work life by incorporating the systems that allow her business to function efficiently and effectively. Her boundaries between work and family are well-defined. Kelli sets a good example to those who are business-minded on how to cope with the pressures of being competitive and flexible when it comes to combining her personal and work lives together.