Meet Ayelet Golz | Freelance Video Editor & Video Content Strategist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ayelet Golz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ayelet, how has your background shaped the person you are today?

This is a complicated question for me. I was born in Israel, but moved to the Midwest when I was a toddler. My family lived in Rochester, MN, and moved to Milwaukee, WI, when I was in middle school. Those two places were so different, even though they’re both in the Midwest, and each shaped my experiences growing up.

When I grew up in Rochester as a daughter of immigrants, I longed for an “All-American” name like Sally and to have French braids in my dark, curly hair. I just wanted to blend into the background at school.

Instead, I stood out because of my name (pronounced “I yell it”), how different I looked from the blond, blue-eyed kids in my class, and my family’s culture and religion. What I wouldn’t have given to be like everyone else.

My views, thankfully, have changed so much since then! Now, I love my name. There’s only one other Ayelet in the whole state of Colorado, so I don’t even bother to give my last name when introducing myself anymore!

Nowadays, I understand that with my feet firmly planted in two cultures (Israeli and American Midwest), I grew up learning how to navigate American culture, adapt, and figure things out (often on my own).

I’ve had to process what being an “outsider” really means with vulnerability and self-awareness, and nurture a community of belonging that holds space for each other. I now can appreciate the amazing perspective I was given in this life.

My life’s work is to tell the stories of others who have felt “unconventional,” “nontraditional,” “weird,” or any other adjective that doesn’t feel like a compliment.

Instead, I prefer to use these adjectives to describe my favorite people to work with: fresh, original, never-been-seen-before, innovative, creative, imaginative, radical, visionary, ingenious, artistic, inspired, expressive, vulnerable, courageous, clever, brilliant, and quirky. My specialty is working with creatives and creative entrepreneurs—and helping them tell their unique stories.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Sure! I started my freelance video editing business in August 2021 after thinking about becoming an entrepreneur for years. Like so many others, the pandemic gave me the final nudge I needed because it allowed me to really think about how I wanted to spend my work days.

Starting a business was not easy, but with the help and advice of a business coach and many freelance friends, I clarified my purpose and established my business.

My work centers around video as a strategy for content. I love working with people who understand that digital video marketing is a necessity for their brand nowadays, but perhaps feel a little lost as to how to get started or how to make videos consistently.

Some of my clients already have a videographer they want to work with so I plug in as a strategist and video editor. Others have their own footage or webinar recordings and need me to weave it together creatively into high-quality videos. I focus primarily on videos for websites or YouTube, including ads, brand stories, tutorials, explainers, trainings, and courses.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

For a week’s long trip through Colorado, here are some of my favorite places:

Day 1 – Fort Collins. First off, we’d pick up croissants from Le Creperie. Ideally they’re visiting around Tour de Corgi (the annual corgi parade) and we’d get front row seats to ogle the pups in their costumes. Afterwards, we’d have to stop at Nuance Chocolate for truffles or hot chocolate. Then, we’d grab lunch at Restaurant 415 and a hike at Lory State Park or Horsetooth.

Day 2 – Fort Collins. Stop by Little Bird for some freshly made pastries and tea. Then, if they’re beer drinkers, we’d bike to some breweries (Intersect, O’Dells, Maxline, Rally King, etc.) or New Belgium for the tour. Biking or walking along the Poudre River Trail is also a must and, if it’s summertime, tubing down the river with friends is so worth it. We’d finish off the day with a potluck with friends.

Day 3 – Steamboat Springs. Soak at the Strawberry Hot Springs and then enjoy the day wandering around Steamboat. If it’s snowy, we’d definitely take some snowshoes out.

Day 4 – Rocky Mountain National Park. There’s a cinnamon roll shop called Cinnamon’s that only sells their pastries until they sell out and then they’re done for the day. I like the element of chance when it comes to sweet treats! We’d pick up a cinnamon roll (or three) on the way into the park. The hike to Bear Lake or Dream Lake are great options. I’d suggest checking out the Trail Ridge road if they’re not scared of heights and have acclimated to the altitude.

Day 5 – Going south, it’s fun to hike around the Great Sand Dunes National Park and spend an afternoon in Salida. They’ve got great restaurants, a walk along the river, and lots of galleries and art to check out. Also, there are some great hot springs there, too.

Day 6 – Denver – it’s always fun to hike around Red Rocks and Dinosaur Ridge park near the Red Rocks entrance. The museum at Red Rocks is very cool, too – you can see all the previous shows that have played at the amphitheater. On to Meow Wolf for the afternoon and finish the day with a tapas dinner at the 9th Door.

Day 7 – Denver art museum is a must – I’m currently featured in a Colorado maker series in the Threads interactive studio on the 6th floor of the north building. In the feature, I discuss cultural appropriation of textiles from a sewist’s perspective. I am so honored to be included in the exhibit so I love to bring visitors to it when they’re in town. Plus, the museum always has some awesome exhibits. After a long visit to the museum, a late lunch or dinner at the restaurant, Safta, hits the spot.

It’d be a full week of sweet treats, art, hot springs, and nature!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Firstly, big thanks goes to my family—my husband Greg, who is the most supportive, loving, amazing guy ever; my daughter Aviva, who inspires me every single day with her imagination, observational skills, and ability to talk to anyone; and my parents, who took the leap to bring me and my brother to this country where they knew very few people and overcame hurdles that often face immigrants.

Also, many thanks go to my freelance and solopreneur friends who showed me what was possible, encouraged me along the way when I felt disheartened, and didn’t hesitate to refer me to others: Rebecca, Kelli, Sara, Alex, Vicki, Rachel, Val, Karina, and Ashley, among so many others.

Website: www.AyeletGolz.com

Instagram: instagram.com/ayeletcreates

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayeletgolz/