Mitchel Dumlao shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Mitchel, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: When was the last time you felt true joy?
Earlier this year, my brother and I had the joy of celebrating our parents’ 50th anniversary in a big way—we whisked them off on a European adventure through the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden. On the night of their anniversary, we dined at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Copenhagen, savoring some of the most exquisite dishes I’ve ever tasted. From strolling the charming streets of Amsterdam and exploring royal palaces in Copenhagen to belting out tunes at the ABBA museum in Sweden, every moment was pure magic. Sharing those experiences and immersing ourselves in Scandinavian culture together made it one of the most joyful and memorable trips of my life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a video producer, creator, and content strategist who loves helping people tell their stories and amplify their messages through authentic and dynamic content. Through my production company, Creative Haven, I use my passion for storytelling and two decades of experience to help brands expand their reach, boost their growth, and build stronger connections with their customers.
My journey began in traditional filmmaking in Los Angeles, where I earned my first producer credit at just 22 and later worked as a literary manager Chatrone, representing 40 clients in TV, Film, Animation and Comic Books. In 2008, I co-founded Strife TV, which became one of Fullscreen Network’s first channel partners and now has over 89 million views on Youtube.
This expertise led me to become a YouTube Certified Instructor, teaching at companies like Google, LinkedIn, General Assembly, and various conferences around the world. I’ve recently served as a post-producer for Riotmaker TV, where I managed the post-production process for broadcast commercials for Amazon Ring and Blink—including two that have aired during the Super Bowl.
What truly makes my company, Creative Haven, unique is our approach to content. We’re not just a production company; we’re strategic partners who blend human creativity with cutting-edge AI technology. This allows us to produce high-quality, high-converting video content more efficiently and at a lower cost, giving our clients a significant advantage. I’ve had the honor of working with a wide range of clients—from HBO and Colgate to Spotify and Live Nation —and I’m proud to have won a Telly Award and had two videos nominated at the World Choreography Awards. It’s all about leveraging both my background in traditional filmmaking and my forward-thinking approach to digital strategy to create content that stands out and drives results.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before I dove into my entertainment career after graduating college, I was a DJ. It all started when I was 15, and my first foray into entrepreneurship was borrowing a few hundred dollars from my Mom to buy my initial DJ equipment. She jokes that she didn’t think she’d ever see that money again, but within six months, I had booked enough gigs to pay her back. From there, I launched my own mobile DJ company with friends, playing at clubs, bars, weddings, and corporate events throughout my teenage years.
I still have a huge passion for creating music and DJing. I’ve held residencies at venues in Los Angeles, played at major festivals, and am currently producing original music and DJing at various events in Austin.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me that it’s okay to ask for help—that it’s important not to be embarrassed or too proud to seem weak, and to allow myself to be vulnerable in order to get the guidance and support I need.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie in my industry is that you have to work 24/7 to become successful. That’s not a sustainable or healthy way to live. Your body can’t perform at 100% all the time—it needs rest to recover and get back to peak potential.
I believe hustle culture has led to a lot of burnout and has removed the purpose and intent from our work. True success requires time for rest, reflection, and a personal life. By spending time with loved ones, discovering new cultures, meditating, exercising, and engaging in other passions that bring you joy and peace, you become a more well-rounded person. This allows you to apply unique insights from a variety of sources to your work, which ultimately helps you perform better and maintain your unique voice.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace on the beach, listening to the waves crash.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thecreativehaven.com
- Instagram: @mitcheldumlao
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/mitcheldumlao
