TESTIMONIALS

“Our family business began on a lettuce farm in rural California in 1922. We’re excited to be approaching our 100th anniversary as a modern automotive retail business with multiple locations and over 500 family members. Julie and her team told our story in a way that took preservation and presentation of our heritage and brand to a whole new level.

Making sure our story is remembered has been one of my central missions even before I assumed leadership of the company. Julie gave us the ability to realize this mission, creating three vivid, compelling, engaging videos.

The impact has been extraordinary. It’s strengthened our company culture, and relationships within our family and team – our “created family.” We’ve screened different versions in marketing, employee orientation and cultural training. It’s great to hear, in the words of one team member, “I’m so proud to be a part of what you and your family have built here in our community!”

I wanted the Gaudin story told in our family’s own words, a wonderful feature of Julie’s work. She interviewed my sister and cousins; aunt and uncle; sons, daughter; business partner, team members and execs from Porche North America and Ford Motor Company – over 40 participants in all. She collected hundreds of images including photos, old “movies” and documents. I wanted our story told in the medium most likely to reach future generations: digital video. Julie understood this.

The project was fun and educational. We all learned things we didn’t know! The experience helped deepen our family’s shared purpose. We are delighted to have told the story of family traditions that helped our company survive in tough times and thrive in good ones. These are the same values that will make us successful in the future and have helped keep our family connected across four generations.”

Gary Ackerman

Principal, Gaudin Motor Company

“I can’t say enough about the phenomenal job Julie did in creating my father’s life story. We met and talked about what might be included, but I was not prepared to be so deeply moved. The program revealed things I had never heard from my father before. Julie managed to capture the essence of my dad and his wisdom, while letting us see his stories in the context of his times. Her interviewing style is relaxed but professional. The editing was fantastic. Even the label is so cool! Julie’s attention to detail comes through in every aspect of the project. Together, Julie and my father created a precious heirloom for the next generation. Now my kids can introduce their own future children to my father, their great grandfather, after he is gone. I’m so grateful to have this record. I loved the message. I loved its meaning. It’s such a gift to my father, and to the entire family.”

Paul Bonapart

Financial Security Planning

“I don’t think I would have recorded my life story with anyone else. Julie’s empathy and creativity made working with her a joy. She created a process that encouraged me to discover and speak about all the material I wanted to share. Julie took what I said, clarified it through editing while keeping it in context, and retaining the meaning. She has a great gift for this work. I’ve shared the DVD with friends and relatives all over the country and they have also been moved – with more than a few tears. Creating the recording of my life story has been informative, educational – emotionally satisfying. I enjoyed it. I’m pleased that my grandchildren are interested in the stories they’re hearing from me…and who knows where that may lead? If you are considering doing a recording of your life history, do it. Julie makes it fun.”

Alan Bonapart

Financial Security Planning (Retired)

“It’s been such a pleasure working with Julie on the story of our family business, and on the life story of my late husband, Rod. The company program she produced is fabulous, and very powerful. At our big, 30th anniversary party screening attended by over 600 people, so very many were moved by the story , those who knew Rod and Bob and those who did not. Julie did a wonderful job telling a story that portrayed these men as who they were, how they lived their lives and the impact they had on so many other lives. I have people asking me for copies and wanting to see the unedited version. At least as precious to me is the second program Julie produced for us about Rod’s personal life and legacy. It will be a treasure for our family for many years to come. Thank you for all your hard work, Julie It truly paid off!!!”

Barbara Grimm

Board of Directors, Grimmway Farms

“I’m so excited that Julie and her company are getting the story of Grimmway preserved in a video form, that can be shared with others, and future generations. It’s such a phenomenal story – to remain a family company, and to garner such loyalty and respect. I’ve always thought it was important to record everybody’s story before they move on or pass away – to capture the continuation of the company culture and atmosphere, especially now that the brothers who founded the company are no longer with us.”

Shem Oesch

General Manager, Processing Grimmway Farms

“I have worked with Julie Miller for many years on a variety of video projects. Her writing, interviewing, and story editing skills are superb. Julie is gifted at selecting just the right interview bytes and combining them with other storytelling elements such as visual images, narration and music, to move an audience. When she takes on a new film, she fully commits, and tenaciously nurtures it to successful completion. For example, I recently worked with Julie on a sponsored documentary project. She gained the trust and respect of her clients not only with her filmmaking skills, but also with her sincerity and enthusiasm. She elicited a series of fascinating interviews from employees and family members, crafting a story so captivating that it transcends the sponsored film genre. I heartily recommend Julie Miller and Life Story Media for any project that tells the story of an individual, a family, or an entire organization.”

David Weissman

General Manager, Video Arts, Inc.

“Our project with Julie was done very creatively and professionally. She was efficient and a delight to work with.”

Mary Ann Carlton

MBT Laboratories