Kelsey Davis, Forbes 30 Under 30 Gen-Z Founder Shaping the Future of Work
Projected to make up 30% of the labor force by 2030, Gen Z is quickly taking over the workplace and transforming it with a new set of values, priorities and missions regarding brand interaction, content creation and consumer behaviors and interests. They’re revolutionizing the Future of Work economy, and Kelsey Davis, CLLCTVE CEO and Founder and 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 Recipient, is working to shape that future in a way that benefits both brands and workers.
A platform built on necessity: For Gen-Z, By Gen-Z
CLLCTVE is the rising professional network for Gen Z, operating as the premier talent marketplace for brands to source young creatives for paid work. Through the platform, creatives can build a digital portfolio, secure exclusive job opportunities, and participate in brand content challenges, all while building within a community of creators from around the country. Brands can source user-generated content at scale through content challenges, curated job candidates, data sourcing and exclusive access to creatives from around the country.
Davis began as a creative herself in college, working with brands including Condé Nast Entertainment, Uniworld Group, Coca-Cola, Puma and Land Rover. Throughout this process, she found that the traditional job-search platforms didn’t provide an avenue to connect with brands for gig-based projects and she was forced to find her own network to do so. It was nearly impossible to keep up with classes, job finding and content creation, and so she saw a need to simplify the gig-finding and on-ramping process to allow young creators to turn their hobbies and passions into careers.
“As members of Gen Z, we’re constantly consuming and creating content,” said Davis. “So what does it look like if we can have a world where we can onramp ourselves, craft the tools to help us scale that better, create better content and then ultimately get paid to do what we love?”
And thus, the idea for CLLCTVE, a platform looking to holistically connect creatives both with those their age in their industry and with brands for paid work, was formed.
A future built on innovation
CLLCTVE is looking for the nation’s best photographers, videographers, animators, graphic designers, writers — the list goes on. But it doesn’t end at the traditional definition of “creatives.”
“We fundamentally believe that every human, endowed with imagination, is a creator,” said CLLCTVE Chief of Growth Jenna Trabulus. “We are building CLLCTVE as a community, where we co-create the future of work together and provide opportunity for our community to express themselves, connect and learn and where possible, earn money for their work.”
That goes beyond videographers and graphic designers.
“Our hypothesis is that, whether you’re a finance major, a web developer, or an engineer, you’re going to be looking for a way to connect with brands online,” said Davis. “Ultimately, we want to be the place you go to do that.”
And even better, CLLCTVE wants to give you the opportunity to do so within a community of like-minded individuals looking to do the same.
CLLCTVE’s platform offers the ideal environment to do so. With multiple weekly events based on building friendships, sharing resources, collaborating on projects and growing as a community, the platform is actively fostering an environment based on growth. It then offers student-centered resources, Meet the Founders events, portfolio reviews, workshops with industry execs and experts and opportunities to connect directly with the brands users are creating content for.
A community built on diversity
A tenant of the creation of this shared space is the democratization of the workforce. Paid work should not be made available only to those who have connections with brands, live in major cities in close proximity to gigs or attend schools with exclusive access to jobs. Gen Z is a fast-paced generation with the ability to build out high-level content remotely for brands looking to reach their generation. Every talented creative, coast-to-coast, should have the opportunity to do so.
“We are part of Gen Z and building for Gen Z with a focus on transparency, unwavering authenticity and a commitment to equity regardless of background, training, education and access,” said Trabulus.
The gig economy is no longer an individual venture based on singular skillsets. The Future of Work is one propelled by the pooling of diverse talents to grow as a professional community and secure paid work based on unique sets of abilities.
“You don’t have to do this journey alone,” noted Davis. “If you’re interested in working in this autonomous and futuristic environment by connecting with brands based on your interests, skillsets and identity while building within a community of like-minded-creatives, then come pull up at cllctve.com.”
