Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Diane Strand

An award‑winning serial entrepreneur, media producer, speaker, and coach. She is the co‑founder of JDS Video & Media Productions, a seven‑figure production company, and the creator of DigiFest, a major digital‑media and arts festival in Temecula, California.

Diane shares her journey from a dyslexic child discouraged from pursuing the arts, to a Hollywood professional working on television hits like Friends, General Hospital, and Veronica’s Closet, to a successful entrepreneur empowering creative to turn their passions into profitable businesses. She discusses resilience, visibility, storytelling, leadership, the power of the arts, and how she built DigiFest into a hub for digital creators, students, and industry professionals.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview highlights:

1. Diane’s evolution from Hollywood talent to business owner

Her shift from TV and production work to launching her own media company and coaching others.

2. The mission behind DigiFest

Why she created an annual digital media festival to bridge Hollywood and emerging creators.

3. How the arts empower people personally and professionally

Diane explains how creativity builds communication skills, confidence, resilience, and community.

4. Her framework for turning passion into profit

Through storytelling, visibility strategies, networking, and stepping outside comfort zones.

5. Advice for future generations of creatives and entrepreneurs

Her approach to learning, mentorship, and launching ideas before feeling “ready.”

💡 Key Takeaways

1. Creativity + Storytelling = Universal Power

Diane defines the arts broadly: anything involving storytelling—painting, acting, photography, filmmaking, writing, animation, design, music, digital content.
She emphasizes that the arts are inclusive, accessible to all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. 

The arts train:
Communication
Confidence
Problem‑solving
Thick skin
Resilience
Adaptability

These skills transfer directly to business and leadership.

2. Overcoming Dyslexia and Early Discouragement

As a child, she struggled with reading and undiagnosed dyslexia.
People—including her parents—told her she shouldn’t pursue the arts. She refused to listen.
Her determination led to winning the role of Betsy Ross in her second‑grade play, igniting her lifelong creative path. 

3. A Successful Run in Hollywood

When Showtime rejected her, she went back to school to get her bachelor’s degree, then returned and worked on major productions such as:
Friends
General Hospital
Veronica’s Closet

Hollywood taught her professionalism, creativity, and authenticity—but also that the industry can be cutthroat and subjective. 

4. Passion → Purpose → Profits

Diane explains that passion alone isn’t enough.
The real breakthrough comes when passion turns into a purpose, which then creates profits. [

She discovered this when she left Hollywood within 15 seconds of agreeing to start her own production business after realizing reality TV’s lifestyle conflicted with being a present parent.

Her success framework includes:
High visibility
Networking
Leveraging the “Hollywood effect”
Storytelling as authority
Consistency
Constant learning

5. Building a Seven‑Figure Media Company

JDS Productions creates professional video content, marketing media, casting calls, and digital products.
She used door‑to‑door outreach, chamber of commerce networking, public speaking, and visibility strategies to grow. 

6. Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

Diane repeatedly stresses:
Growth happens in discomfort
Saying yes leads to opportunity
Visibility requires vulnerability 

Today she speaks on national stages, podcasts, and industry events—something that once required tremendous courage.

7. DigiFest: Her Digital Media Festival

DigiFest was created when the long‑running Temecula film and music festival shut down, and the city asked her to take over. She refused to run a traditional film festival and instead created something aligned with her expertise—digital media. 

DigiFest is:
A competition
A networking event
An educational conference
A celebration of digital storytelling

Festival features include:
Workshops (AI, film, podcasting, animation, scriptwriting)
Celebrity speakers (Curtis Young, Colin Egglesfield, Sam Larsen, Justin Guarini)
Film screenings
Performances
Red carpet
Awards
Professional‑student collaboration 

It spans three days every April (Fri–Sun) at her 10,000 sq ft studio space in Temecula.

8. Women in Hollywood & Finding Her Voice

Diane acknowledges that Hollywood can be sexist, abusive, and insensitive to women.
She faced inappropriate situations during her work on reality TV—but quickly made clear she “does not play like that.” [

She helps other women and young creatives find confidence, courage, and professional boundaries.

9. Resilience, Ethics, and “Haters”

Diane remains grounded in:
Ethical behavior
Professionalism
Strong documentation
Karma
Leading by example

She believes leadership gets more public as you climb, and criticism is inevitable when you challenge others. 

10. Advice for the Next Generation

Her advice is timeless:

“Start before you’re ready.”
If she waited for perfection, she never would’ve launched DigiFest or her company. 

Say yes, show up, be visible, and trust that your purpose will reveal itself through action.

🗣 Notable QuotesOn dreams and action

“A dream is direction, realization, evaluation, and taking action to create momentum.” 

On the power of the arts

“The arts are inclusive. They teach resilience, confidence, and how to get back up.” 

On her Hollywood departure

“I said yes within 15 seconds… I wanted something more for me and my family.” [

On growth

“When you get comfortable being uncomfortable, you’re going to grow.” 

On DigiFest

“It’s anything that lives in the digital space—from film to AI to podcasting to animation.” 

On overcoming discouragement

“I was told I shouldn’t or couldn’t… but I said, ‘Just watch me.’” 

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Diane Strand
An award‑winning serial entrepreneur, media producer, speaker, and coach. She is the co‑founder of&nbsp;JDS Video &amp; Media Productions, a seven‑figure production company, and the creator of DigiFest, a major digital‑media and arts festival in Temecula, California.
Diane shares her journey from a dyslexic child discouraged from pursuing the arts, to a Hollywood professional working on television hits like Friends, General Hospital, and Veronica&rsquo;s Closet, to a successful entrepreneur empowering creative to turn their passions into profitable businesses. She discusses resilience, visibility, storytelling, leadership, the power of the arts, and how she built DigiFest into a hub for digital creators, students, and industry professionals.
<hr>
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The interview highlights:
1. Diane&rsquo;s evolution from Hollywood talent to business owner
Her shift from TV and production work to launching her own media company and coaching others.
2. The mission behind DigiFest
Why she created an annual digital media festival to bridge Hollywood and emerging creators.
3. How the arts empower people personally and professionally
Diane explains how creativity builds communication skills, confidence, resilience, and community.
4. Her framework for turning passion into profit
Through storytelling, visibility strategies, networking, and stepping outside comfort zones.
5. Advice for future generations of creatives and entrepreneurs
Her approach to learning, mentorship, and launching ideas before feeling &ldquo;ready.&rdquo;
<hr>
💡 Key Takeaways
<hr>
1. Creativity + Storytelling = Universal Power
Diane defines the arts broadly: anything involving storytelling&mdash;painting, acting, photography, filmmaking, writing, animation, design, music, digital content. She emphasizes that the arts are inclusive, accessible to all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.&nbsp;
The arts train:
<ul>
<li>Communication</li>
<li>Confidence</li>
<li>Problem‑solving</li>
<li>Thick skin</li>
<li>Resilience</li>
<li>Adaptability</li>
</ul>
These skills transfer directly to business and leadership.
<hr>
2. Overcoming Dyslexia and Early Discouragement
As a child, she struggled with reading and undiagnosed dyslexia. People&mdash;including her parents&mdash;told her she shouldn&rsquo;t pursue the arts. She refused to listen. Her determination led to winning the role of Betsy Ross in her second‑grade play, igniting her lifelong creative path.&nbsp;
<hr>
3. A Successful Run in Hollywood
When Showtime rejected her, she went back to school to get her bachelor&rsquo;s degree, then returned and worked on major productions such as:
<ul>
<li>Friends</li>
<li>General Hospital</li>
<li>Veronica&rsquo;s Closet</li>
</ul>
Hollywood taught her professionalism, creativity, and authenticity&mdash;but also that the industry can be cutthroat and subjective.&nbsp;
<hr>
4. Passion &rarr; Purpose &rarr; Profits
Diane explains that passion alone isn&rsquo;t enough. The real breakthrough comes when passion turns into a purpose, which then creates profits. <a href="https://rushionmcdonald-my.sharepoint.com/personal/admin_rushionmcdonald_onmicrosoft_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/DIANE%20STRAND.txt">[</a>
She discovered this when she left Hollywood within&nbsp;15 seconds of agreeing to start her own production business after realizing reality TV&rsquo;s lifestyle conflicted with being a present parent.
Her success framework includes:
<ul>
<li>High visibility</li>
<li>Networking</li>
<li>Leveraging the &ldquo;Hollywood effect&rdquo;</li>
<li>Storytelling as authority</li>
<li>Consistency</li>
<li>Constant learning</li>
</ul>
<hr>
5. Building a Seven‑Figure Media Company
JDS Productions creates professional video content, marketing media, casting calls, and digital products. She used door‑to‑door outreach, chamber of commerce networking, public speaking, and visibility strategies to grow.&nbsp;
<hr>
6. Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
Diane repeatedly stresses:
<ul>
<li>Growth happens in discomfort</li>
<li>Saying yes leads to opportunity</li>
<li>Visibility requires vulnerability&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Today she speaks on national stages, podcasts, and industry events&mdash;something that once required tremendous courage.
<hr>
7. DigiFest: Her Digital Media Festival
DigiFest was created when the long‑running Temecula film and music festival shut down, and the city asked her to take over. She refused to run a traditional film festival and instead created something aligned with her expertise&mdash;digital media.&nbsp;
DigiFest is:
<ul>
<li>A competition</li>
<li>A networking event</li>
<li>An educational conference</li>
<li>A celebration of digital storytelling</li>
</ul>
Festival features include:
<ul>
<li>Workshops (AI, film, podcasting, animation, scriptwriting)</li>
<li>Celebrity speakers (Curtis Young, Colin Egglesfield, Sam Larsen, Justin Guarini)</li>
<li>Film screenings</li>
<li>Performances</li>
<li>Red carpet</li>
<li>Awards</li>
<li>Professional‑student collaboration&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
It spans three days every April (Fri&ndash;Sun) at her 10,000 sq ft studio space in Temecula.
<hr>
8. Women in Hollywood &amp; Finding Her Voice
Diane acknowledges that Hollywood can be sexist, abusive, and insensitive to women. She faced inappropriate situations during her work on reality TV&mdash;but quickly made clear she &ldquo;does not play like that.&rdquo; <a href="https://rushionmcdonald-my.sharepoint.com/personal/admin_rushionmcdonald_onmicrosoft_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/DIANE%20STRAND.txt">[</a>
She helps other women and young creatives find confidence, courage, and professional boundaries.
<hr>
9. Resilience, Ethics, and &ldquo;Haters&rdquo;
Diane remains grounded in:
<ul>
<li>Ethical behavior</li>
<li>Professionalism</li>
<li>Strong documentation</li>
<li>Karma</li>
<li>Leading by example</li>
</ul>
She believes leadership gets more public as you climb, and criticism is inevitable when you challenge others.&nbsp;
<hr>
10. Advice for the Next Generation
Her advice is timeless:
&ldquo;Start before you&rsquo;re ready.&rdquo; If she waited for perfection, she never would&rsquo;ve launched DigiFest or her company.&nbsp;
Say yes, show up, be visible, and trust that your purpose will reveal itself through action.
<hr>
🗣 Notable Quotes On dreams and action
&ldquo;A dream is direction, realization, evaluation, and taking action to create momentum.&rdquo;&nbsp;
On the power of the arts
&ldquo;The arts are inclusive. They teach resilience, confidence, and how to get back up.&rdquo;&nbsp;
On her Hollywood departure
&ldquo;I said yes within 15 seconds&hellip; I wanted something more for me and my family.&rdquo; <a href="https://rushionmcdonald-my.sharepoint.com/personal/admin_rushionmcdonald_onmicrosoft_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/DIANE%20STRAND.txt">[</a>
On growth
&ldquo;When you get comfortable being uncomfortable, you&rsquo;re going to grow.&rdquo;&nbsp;
On DigiFest
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s anything that lives in the digital space&mdash;from film to AI to podcasting to animation.&rdquo;&nbsp;
On overcoming discouragement
&ldquo;I was told I shouldn&rsquo;t or couldn&rsquo;t&hellip; but I said, &lsquo;Just watch me.&rsquo;&rdquo;&nbsp;
<hr>
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!

https://www.moneymakingconversations.com

https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations

https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/

https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv

https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!
https://www.moneymakingconversations.com
https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations
https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/
https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv
https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Money Making Conversations Master Class

Overcoming the Odds:  She shares her journey from a dyslexic child and how she built DigiFest into a hub for digital creators.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3a37ee55-8c20-4504-b5c5-b3e9011af170/transcript