CEO and filmmaker Stephanie Garvin has built an extraordinary career defined by reinvention, vision, and heart. After transitioning from finance to founding multiple interior design businesses, a near-death experience inspired her to pursue filmmaking full-time. Today, she leads Hollywood Expansion Corporation, championing ethical, family-focused storytelling and innovation in global film production.
You transitioned from finance and entrepreneurship into filmmaking in 2013—what was the turning point that gave you the confidence to take that leap?
I actually transitioned from finance into opening four interior design businesses, which included a design studio, two retail furniture stores, and a national online store. I loved moving from something very uncreative to putting my heart into creating beautiful atmospheres.
I began producing commercials for my businesses and soon realized I looked forward to making those commercials even more than running the companies themselves! After serving as the interior designer for the largest home show in the Midwest, I became incredibly busy traveling around the country for various projects. Thankfully, my daughter Brittanie helped manage the companies, but even with her support, I pushed myself too hard and ended up in the hospital with pneumonia.
That near-death experience forced me to rethink what was truly valuable in my life—and that was spending time with my family. After wrapping up the businesses, I took a year to focus on being a “supermom” to my kids and grandkids. During that quiet period, I began having vivid dreams that played out like movies. I started pitching those ideas to my late husband and kids, who “greenlit” a few of them—so I began writing them into scripts. Once my son Kyle went to college, I dove into studying screenwriting, producing, entertainment law, and more. I also took every extra job I could find to learn everything possible about the modern filmmaking environment. Little by little, I inserted myself into the business, one step at a time.
Having founded multiple companies in different industries, what lessons from your entrepreneurial ventures have been most valuable in the film industry?
So many aspects of running a business are valuable in what I’m doing now—from building infrastructure and marketing to identifying your audience, managing time and people effectively, public speaking, and keeping your vision alive through challenges.
What inspired you to launch Hollywood Expansion Corporation, and how do you envision it shaping the future of global film production?
Being an entrepreneur mirrors so much of what goes into making a movie. A film is essentially a business in itself—it starts with an idea that needs development and seed money, followed by finding the right collaborators to bring that vision to life. You also need managers to help keep that dream alive and see it through to completion. Then, just like in any business, you market it to your audience to generate sales. It’s really the same model repeated across most successful ventures.
When I wrote and directed my first movie, Holiday Twist, I learned so much about the filmmaking process. I realized there wasn’t a standardized way of making a film, and often, fundamental business practices were missing altogether. That experience inspired me to create Hollywood Expansion Corporation (HEC)—a system built on strong, ethical business principles designed to support both filmmakers and investors. My goal is to help more creative dreams come to life, reach wider audiences, and ensure that investors are just as satisfied as the artists bringing the stories to the screen.
You’ve worn many hats—writer, director, executive producer—do you find yourself gravitating toward one role, or do you thrive on balancing all of them?
Gosh, I love all of it! Each role comes with its own unique set of challenges and rewards. I’d have to say directing is the most demanding, yet also the most fulfilling. You’re the pilot of an idea, carrying the responsibility for the overall vision, appearance, and quality of the project. Producing draws on my business background and problem-solving skills, while writing is a deeply creative journey that can lead you anywhere. In the end, all three are essential for a truly successful venture.
As executive producer of Maserati: The Brothers, how did your strategic affiliation with HEC elevate the project?
I was approached by one of the producing partners to come on board as a creative producer and assist with funding. He was already familiar with HEC and really believed in its concept. That opportunity became my first major project, and I’m so grateful for it.
Through HEC, we were able to offer investors collateralized film financing options that carried significantly less risk than a typical film investment. This allowed people from various professional backgrounds to experience the excitement of being part of the entertainment world—with a touch of glamour and the reassurance that their commitments were backed by real collateral. It was a win-win: they enjoyed the process and felt confident about where their money was going.
Your mission emphasizes family-oriented storytelling—why is that focus so important to you in today’s entertainment landscape?
Family is so important—whether it’s a traditional family or a sense of community. People need other people; it’s simply part of our human nature. As a society, we’ve become increasingly independent because of technology and constant connectivity, and there’s so much pressure on kids to excel in every way that they’re often running nonstop.
While those advancements have their benefits, it’s still essential to have experiences that bring people together. Creating entertainment that families or communities can enjoy collectively allows them to connect, share emotions, and strengthen bonds. That’s the kind of storytelling that leaves a lasting impact.
Holiday Twist was both a creative and entrepreneurial achievement. What did you learn from writing, directing, and producing it that you’ll carry into the sequel?
Well, the sequel we had planned is a little up in the air right now. Unfortunately, the home and ranch belonging to my burglars’ characters were destroyed in the Altadena fires. It’s heartbreaking, as the land was truly beautiful. I’m confident it will be restored someday, though perhaps not in time for the sequel.
As for what I learned—pretty much everything that could go wrong on a movie project did! It felt like a Harvard-level crash course in filmmaking. Holiday Twist was my first “baby” right out of the gate, and I’m so grateful it made it to theaters. I truly feel blessed to have lived through that experience and to have come out of it with the inspiration to create HEC—so other filmmakers and investors can have a smoother, more supported journey.
Many of your past businesses show an ability to anticipate trends before they became popular—how do you bring that foresight into filmmaking?
I always say I should have invented SPANX! I used to buy L’eggs support pantyhose and cut them off at the knee so I wouldn’t have panty lines. I shared my little secret with everyone so they could look great too—and then, about ten years later, SPANX hit the market. Definitely a missed opportunity for me!
That experience really made me think: why didn’t I act on that great idea? Now, whenever I come up with something new, I run it through a few checkpoints—does it solve a problem? Who benefits from it? Is it sustainable? Does it make life better? If I get more yeses than nos, I take it as a sign to go with the flow!
What advice would you give to women aspiring to be leaders and creators in the entertainment industry?
Don’t buy into the idea that it’s a “man’s field.” So many amazing female producers, directors, and writers are creating incredible work these days. Developing content for audiences requires a variety of perspectives. A 22-year-old woman just out of college thinks very differently from a 35-year-old mother of three, who thinks differently from a 70-year-old woman, who thinks differently from a 50-year-old man.
But here’s the thing—they all love being entertained, right? That’s why every perspective matters. Always remember: your audience is diverse, and your voice counts.
Outside of filmmaking, you’re passionate about philanthropy, animals, and a wide range of hobbies—how do those personal interests influence your creative vision?
Giving back in any way you can is so important to humanity. It doesn’t have to be about money or material things—it’s about brightening someone’s day, improving someone’s situation, helping another being, making someone feel remembered, or passing along wisdom.
What I love about animals is that this comes naturally and effortlessly to them. They’re unconditional, they don’t care who’s watching, and they have no hidden agendas—they simply live in the present. My little Ziggy and Teddy, and any animal I meet along the way, help me forget the stresses of life.
I think all these experiences help me stay grounded and centered. And it’s in that state—balanced and present—that I feel my most creative energy.
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