Rising Stars: Meet Karynn Hough

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karynn Hough.

Hi Karynn, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My career started in the corporate world. Around 2010 I got laid off as a Marketing Manager. I began freelancing as a graphic designer using my marketing skills to help build and rebrand myself. During that time my daughter was advancing as a dancer. She was booking small gigs and I began to help her more with her career.

She later relocated to Los Angeles and signed with one of the largest talent agencies in LA. I found myself getting more involved in helping her by reading contracts, negotiating deals, and much more. People saw her success and would ask me to help their kids get jobs. Before long, I found myself helping several people and I realized I was acting like an agent as I guided kids and parents in furthering their children’s careers. And in 2016 I launched FreshTalent Group. The only agency in Nashville that represents dancers.

Since the launch we have signed numerous and outstanding talent of all ages in the areas of dance, choreography, movement coaching, print and acting. We go beyond just booking talent, we strive to inspire, educate and mold talent.

Our clients have performed in with The Weekend in the 2021 Super Bowl, a Netflix faith based film “A Week Away”, Middle Tennessee Electric Print ad, CMA Country Christmas, and alongside numerous country artists here in Nashville.

We are currently awaiting of a new Tyler Perry Movie “A Jazz Man’s Blues” where of five of our dancers will hit the big screen!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not been smooth. Some people in the dance world knew me from my time as a Manager at Hermitage Dance Academy and later as Director of Millennium Dance Complex Nashville however, casting directors and producers who hire dancers had never heard of FreshTalent. In time and with a lot patience the right people slowly begin to share our name and seek us out.

For YEARS after I started the talent agency, I never wanted anyone to know it was black-owned. I never appeared in a single photo nor did I share photos that ppl tagged me in. I felt some would think that a black-owned business was less than. So I literally hid in the shadows of something that I loved.

It wasn’t until 2020, I woke up. It is a black business with an incredible reputation and talent of all colors. I am proud of what WE built together.

Although the road was not smooth, I wouldn’t change a thing. I learned and grown so much from it all.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
FreshTalent Group is a boutique talent agency that connects talent with casting directors, artists, directors, and producers. We are best known for our personal relationships with our talent and our open-door policy.

My talent affectionately refers to me as Auntie Karynn or Momma K. I am proud of the success and growth of our agency.

We go beyond just booking talent, we educate, communicate and provide opportunities.

The aren’t your normal agency and we don’t want to be.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
The biggest credit goes to my family for their unwavering support.

My husband Mark who puts up with my constant phone calls and late-night projects. He is proud of our success…and my biggest cheerleader.

My daughter Chelsea who was the inspiration for FreshTalent Group, my mother Maggie who is my rock and always allowed me to dream and my brother Paul who I can call day or night to read over contracts without hesitation.

I also get incredible support from LA agents who allow me to call and text them with questions, great friends, dance studios, casting directors, and the Nashville dance community. I am forever grateful to them all…it’s because of them we exist.

Pricing:

• agencies DO NOT COST MONEY
• We only got paid when talent books a job!!!

Contact Info:

• Email: contact@freshtalentgroup.com
• Website: www.freshtalentgroup.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshtalentgroup/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshTalentGroup
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/FreshTalentGrp

Image Credits:
Nora Canfield, Elliott Lopes, and Erik Cavanaugh.