The journey to becoming a professional content creator

Mitchell Carlyle always knew he wanted to run his own business, even if he did not yet know what form that would take. After graduating from the University of Auckland with a bachelor’s degree in commerce and property, he moved straight into a role as a property valuer, following a path that felt practical but not entirely fulfilling in terms of his personal interests.

In 2024, Mitchell made the decision to step away from his role and spend time travelling. It was the first real chance he had to reset since leaving university, giving him space to think about what he wanted from his career and life more broadly. During that period, he noticed just how quickly video was becoming the dominant form of communication across social media and business platforms.

“I realised that the world is only going to need more professional videographers and editors.”

That realisation felt particularly relevant given Mitchell’s background in creating social content. What had once been an interest began to look like a viable career path. In 2025, he launched his own video content business, committing to developing his skills and building something he felt confident investing his time and energy into.

Today, Mitchell’s work spans event videography, corporate storytelling and high-quality social media content. He partners with a wide range of clients, from multinational organisations to sole operators, helping them identify the most engaging aspects of their work and communicate those stories visually. Founder-led businesses are a particular focus, with Mitchell enjoying the opportunity to capture the motivations and journeys behind new ventures.

Among the highlights since launching his business is producing a series of social media videos for the BLACKCAPS and Tegel. The project gave Mitchell the opportunity to contribute across ideation, scripting and full production, reinforcing the value of being able to manage projects end to end.

As a Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) alumnus, Mitchell’s interest in entrepreneurship was nurtured early through his involvement with Velocity, which he joined during his second year at university. Not living on campus, he sought ways to connect with people who shared similar interests and ambitions, and Velocity offered both a sense of community and the opportunity to be challenged outside of academic study.

Over three years on the Velocity committee, Mitchell took on multiple roles across different teams, including work on content creation. Rather than specialising in one area, he chose to explore different responsibilities, motivated by a desire to keep learning and pushing himself. He says that Velocity can help students build relationships that can open doors in unexpected ways long after graduation and help participants develop valuable skills.

“Velocity taught me how to work independently and take ownership of what I was responsible for.”

Those lessons have carried directly into Mitchell’s work today. Running a business requires a high level of self-direction, from setting priorities to managing time effectively. The freedom he experienced at Velocity, paired with clear expectations and deadlines, helped build the focus and discipline he now relies on as an entrepreneur.

At the centre of Mitchell’s approach is a commitment to providing genuine value. He believes businesses should receive high-quality outcomes without being overcharged, and that trust is built through consistency and transparency.

Outside of work, Mitchell is also an ultramarathon distance runner. Endurance running has played a significant role in shaping his mindset, particularly when it comes to resilience and self-belief. Having completed extreme distances on foot has given him the confidence to pursue ambitious goals in other areas of life.

“Consistent hard work is what ultimately carries you forward.”