TCI S. Florida Presents “Women We Love Wednesdays” Featuring: TCI Member Debbie Margolis-Horwitz, President of Kreative Kontent

Last year, Debbie Margolis-Horwitz was doing an overnight shoot with the crew from her production company, Kreative Kontent.  It was the same night as the much-anticipated Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs.  “Everybody was dying to watch the game, but we had to work,” she reveals.  But the native South Floridian couldn’t let this moment completely get away from her.  So they hooked up a TV during the last 15 minutes of the game and everyone savored the Heat’s satisfying nail-biting win.  And then of course, they all went right back to work, their smiles just a little bit wider.

“I love what I do,” Debbie says matter-of-factly. “I mean speaking from my own experience you have to follow your passion.  Money is money, but money doesn’t make you feel good about what you do everyday.”  Debbie had no intention on forming her own production company in 2010, but after the company that she was with dissolved, her previous clients kept calling.  So, she decided that it was time to go out on her own. “I felt like being on my own would give me a lot of opportunities.  I was able to dedicate my time to more passion projects.”

The early days of her business weren’t always rosy.  “There were a few months where money was tight.  I had to learn how to think like a business owner, and how to prepare for tough times.”  And making inroads in her heavily relationship-based industry posed some challenges. “There are some clients out there, some relationships that are harder to forge than others.”  But Debbie took the lead of her very creative and entrepreneurial parents and channeled her own energies into making a name for herself.  She has had the pleasure to work production on a vast array of projects, including TV and film projects starring the likes of Brooke Shields, Jason Alexander, and Matt Damon.

Each year, The Commonwealth Institute (TCI) recognizes outstanding women-led businesses in Boston and Florida.  This year, Debbie was named as one of the top 50 women-led businesses in Florida.  After being invited to one of TCI’s annual luncheons, Debbie decided to join.  She reveals that at the time, she wasn’t looking for an organization to join, but was convinced by the extensive network of people and the fabulous events.  Although she hopes to receive advice from the other professional women, she certainly has a lot of her own wisdom to share.  “In my business, I had to be really creative in identifying and seeking out opportunities.  If it’s not sitting there, I have to create it.  That’s kinda how you have to survive.”