Welcome to the archives. 2013-2020. 2,200+ articles from 300+ writers.
What is Ms. In The Biz?
Founded in 2013 by actor/writer/producer Helenna Santos with active publication until spring of 2020, Ms. In The Biz is the go-to resource for female entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry, focusing on creating career success while living a purpose-filled, passionate life.
With a readership of half a million people all over the globe, the 2,200+ archived articles from 300+ female (and female identifying) writers available at msinthebiz.com .
Founder/Editor-In-Chief: Helenna Santos – @helennamsantos
Helenna Santos is an actor, writer and producer with Mighty Pharaoh Films.
She is the Founder of “Ms. In The Biz” and can often be found on panels at conventions such as San Diego “Comic-Con,” and has been interviewed by major press outlets including CNN.
She can be seen most recently in CW’s “The Flash,” ABC’s “A Million Little Things” and “The Good Doctor”, as well as the independent feature films “At Your Own Risk” and “The Shasta Triangle”. She will also be seen in the upcoming “Baby-Sitter’s Club” for Netflix.
Her work as a contributing writer has been featured in MovieMaker Magazine, Backstage Magazine, IndieWire and BUST Magazine.
Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Laura Hunter Drago – @mshunterdrago
Laura Hunter Drago is a producer, writer, and actress living in Los Angeles, California. When she’s not making art, she works in marketing & web design. Laura is a proud SAG-AFTRA member and guest speaker at the SAG Conservatory, is the assistant editor-in-chief of Ms. in the Biz, and is the co-founder of New Girl Pictures. She also likes baking, obsessing over Olympic ice dancers, and having long conversations with her dog Buffy. She dislikes being bored. Most recently, Laura is finishing up post-production on her first feature, To The New Girl.
Public Appearances Coordinator: Leah Cevoli – @leah_cevoli
Leah Cevoli is a multi-talented entertainment professional whose work stretches across many genres. She is a rock ‘n roll enthusiast, body image activist, a certified yoga teacher, and fan of all things horror, Leah’s acting credits include appearances on high profile tv shows like HBO’s “Deadwood,” and voice-over on the Cartoon Network hit “Robot Chicken”. Leah is a contributing writer for Ms. In The Biz and the founder of AllShapesAndSizesWelcome.com: Body Image & Women’s Issues in Entertainment, a group of women who speak on panels and at conventions nationwide.
“Thriving in Hollywood” Book Co-Author: Alexandra Boylan – @aboylan4
Alexandra Boylan (Producer, Writer, Actor, Co-Founder Mustard Seed Entertainment and Mirror Tree Productions)
Alexandra is an award-winning filmmaker. MirrorTree Productions, has produced numerous feature films, including “Home Sweet Home” and “At Your Own Risk”. Her company Mustard Seed Entertainment’s film “Catching Faith” had a two year run on Netflix and was on the shelves of Wal-Mart. Her most recent film “Wish For Christmas” sold to Pure Flix Entertainment and Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
Alexandra’s script “Switched” was awarded the winner of the Kiaros Pro MovieGuide award for best screenplay. She is the author of “Create Your Own Career in Hollywood: Advice from a struggling actress who became a successful producer” available in Kindle and print on Amazon, and is an active member of Woman in Film Los Angeles where she served on the WIF PSA Board. Alexandra co-collaborated on the book “Thriving in Hollywood!” for msinthebiz.com
Web Consultant: Deborah Lee Smith @Deborah_LSmith
Deborah Lee Smith is an actress and producer whose love of performing, storytelling, and new experiences has led to filming projects around the world. Originally from LA, she studied Theater and English Lit at UC Berkeley before moving to Australia to pursue her master’s degree in Film Production. She started acting in the Australian film industry before returning to LA and diving head first into acting and discovered a love of producing.
At the time of this book’s publication, she has two films in post-production that she has starred in, and has received several awards for her acting and producing work. Additionally, she has partnered with another incredible female producer to create Deep Sea Pictures, a full-service production company that has several projects in various stages of development. She believes in working hard, playing hard, exploring the world, and supporting others to tell stories that expand our understanding of the world and the people, places, and things that reside within it!
2013 – 2017 PAST ADMIN TEAM MEMBERS:
Managing Editor: Julie Wilson @ItsMeJoolie
Julie Wilson is a digital marketer with an intense passion for live music. As a teenager she collected every issue of Rolling Stone and listened to everything she could get her hands on. As an adult she goes to a lot of concerts because she feels there is nothing like the live music experience. Along with her love of music, she is also well versed in marketing and writing. Julie strongly believes in the healing power of the written word. Her own blog, Married In My Mind, helped her get through a roughtime in her life and connected her to a whole audience of women who experienced similar heartache. She worked for four years at Live Nation in their email marketing department and is now working freelance jobs in social media. In her spare time she enjoys taking and teaching yoga and hanging out with her corgi, Ein.
Social Media Coordinator (and resident “Mr.”): Leslie Foster @Leslie_Muse
Leslie Foster is an LA-based filmmaker and a co-founder of Traveling Muse Pictures, a non-profit film collective, which is currently in post-production for a documentary about violent homophobia in Jamaica. He is also completing “The Ritual Cycle,” an experimental film series, which will be displayed as part of a gallery installation piece. Leslie’s passion for activism, fine art, and philosophy informs his filmmaking.
He has worked for over seven years in the film industry, with over twenty credits to his name including his work co-producing the 2009 Crystal Heart award-winning short film “Marbles with Thoreau.” Having grown up and worked all around the world, he thinks of himself as an urban nomad and fantasizes about joining a roving band of vagabond artists.
Assistant Social Media Coordinator: Kaytra Parkman @KaytraParkman
Events Coordinator: Dellany Peace @IAmDellanyPeace
Producer, actress, writer, director, curve model & body image advocate. Originally from North Carolina, Dellany attended New York City conservatory American Musical Dramatic Academy; her debut on Broadway was with TheatreWorks USA (winner of 2001 Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award) right before embarking on the national tour. Dellany worked on independent films in N.C., co-starred in award winning Bailey and did featured/stand in work for Molly Shannon in Talledega Nights. Now residing in Los Angeles, Dellany is currently in pre-production for several new web to TV series under the tent of her new production company Scarlett Gale Media. Dellany provided voice acting in “Pink & Blue” starring Levar Burton and Darryl Hannah. Dellany is a series regular on web talk show Go Curvy and was named Curvy Couture’s Miss December 2014. Dellany’s first produced web series was award winning comedy 2 Hopeful Spinsters featuring Michael Madsen.
Associate Editor of Communications: Teresa Jusino @teresajusino
She has written/co-created and is currently co-executive producing a digital series called Incredible Girl, based on the short film of the same name by Executive Producer, Celia Aurora de Blas. Her short story, December, was published in Issue #24 of the sci-fi literary journal, Crossed Genres. She is the writer of your future favorite TV show.
Database Coordinator: Sarah J. Eagen @sarahjeagen
Sarah is an LA based Actress and Choreographer who firmly believes in the power of positivity. After earning a double degree in Theatre and Neuroscience (yes, you read that correctly!) and studying at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Ireland, she was in the midst of earning her Ph.D. in Genetics when she decided to follow her passion of being an actress- and she hasn’t looked back! Sarah spent several years working in Theatre, Film, Commercial, and VO in Seattle before relocating to LA, where she has added Acting Biz Consultations, Writing, and Producing to her repertoire. She also does 99-second speed-thrus of popular movies on her YouTube channel www.youtube.com/MsSarahJE/videos. Sarah loves traveling and staying active (hiking, rock climbing, and canyoneering are some of her favorites), reading, and enjoying a good mug of tea. For her latest news, visit www.sarahjeagen.com
2013 – 2014 Social Media Coordinator: Angelique Toschi
Angelique Toschi is a social media professional who is active in multiple social media communities. She uses her BA in English from UCLA and MA in Mass Communications, Advertising from Cal State Fullerton to help her create strategies and write social media content for various clients across multiple industries. Some of her current and former clients in the entertainment industry have included The International Academy of Web Television, web series “Lenox Avenue”, and Transmedia LA. She also currently handles social media and corporate communications for Shakey’s USA, Inc. (57 locations across the US).
2013 Associate Editor: Holly Elissa
Holly Elissa is a dedicated wanderer, storyteller, activist, mountaineer and social entrepreneur. As an artist, yogini and founder of the NGO Caleb’s Hope, the rights of women and children the world over have become the driving force of her life. Despite running a charity, she believes trade and investment – not aid – are the solution to seeing people from all walks of life rise up and live fulfilling, healthy, economically sustainable lives. Her company, Ethos, is a place where art and social enterprise collide to promote cross-cultural understanding and increased opportunity for everyone.