5 Ways to Gain Support for Your Creative Career

It’s a question a lot of people face when starting out in many creative fields: how do I convince my family that content creation is a legitimate career choice? On Episode 3 of the First Frame podcast, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger sat down with two creators who have grappled with that scenario first-hand: Vancouver-based filmmaker Ilhan Abdullahi and Calgary-based videographer Kien To.

Together, they explore the cultural and generational differences that can be a challenge for new and established creators alike. Here are 5 takeaways from First Frame S1 Ep 03: Gaining Support for Your Creative Career.

1. Don’t wait for validation from family or peers

Skepticism often comes from misunderstanding. For many families, creative work doesn’t look like a “real job,” and it can take proof of results before they start to see it differently.

For Ilhan, that shift came with her first documentary, Dreamers, which explored the lives of newcomer youth. “My parents saw how passionate I was, and they saw the scale of the work when they visited my sets,” she explains. “That’s when they started to respect what I was doing.”

For videographer Kien, the turning point was financial. His parents had worried that a career in music or film would never sustain him. But once he began landing clients and supporting himself, they recognized his work as more than just a hobby.

The lesson? Sometimes it’s not about convincing through words; it’s about showing tangible results.

2. Be inspired by representation

Representation plays a powerful role in creative identity. Seeing people who look like you or share your background succeed makes a path feel possible.

Ilhan points to comedian and filmmaker Issa Rae as a major influence. Watching Rae’s grassroots series Awkward Black Girl on YouTube gave her permission to write her own “bootleg versions” and imagine herself as a filmmaker. Just as impactful were the stories she grew up hearing from her grandmother, a natural comedian who gathered people together through laughter.

For Kien, discovering Wong Fu Productions was life-changing. “Growing up, I didn’t see many Asian faces on screen,” he recalls. “Wong Fu told love stories with people who looked like me. That representation showed me I could do it, too.”

When creators see themselves reflected in media, they’re empowered to tell their own stories and to bring new perspectives into the cultural conversation.

3. Reframe success beyond stereotypes

Ilhan spoke about how Somali stories in the media often focus only on trauma. Her project Not For Us deliberately flipped the script by focusing on comedy and joy. “People didn’t expect a Somali story to be funny,” she said. “But that’s who we are, too.”

That shift not only challenged public narratives but also showed her family that she was creating something meaningful and different. When your work demonstrates cultural or social impact, it becomes easier for loved ones to see it as more than just “content” but as purposeful storytelling.

4. Find your people

Both guests emphasized the power of collaboration. Kien said, “I wouldn’t have made it this far without people around me who believed in me.” Ilhan agreed: “When you’re surrounded by people who support your vision, it keeps you going, even when your family doesn’t understand yet.”

Community isn’t just about creative growth. It also signals legitimacy. When your family sees you working with collaborators, collectives or peers who take your craft seriously, it reassures them that you’re not alone and that this path has structure and support.

5. Have pride in your work

Self-doubt is one of the biggest challenges for new creators. Kien’s advice? Tie your identity to your work. “If you see yourself as a creator, you’re less likely to feel like a fraud,” he says. “Your work becomes part of who you are.”

Ilhan agrees, adding that passion and community help sustain that identity during tough times. By owning your creative role, you can push past insecurities and build resilience for the long haul.

Check out the full episode below. 

How to watch and listen

TELUS STORYHIVE First Frame is now available for free on TELUS Optik TV Video on Demand, Stream+ and YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at STORYHIVE.com/firstframe. 

Stay tuned for new episodes releasing every two weeks on Tuesdays.