You've probably noticed...

It’s probably obvious by now, but the Always Abounding team has grown significantly over the last few years. From the days when our founders Ryan Stanley and Kaleb Buckner steered the ship alone as bi-vocational entrepreneurs (Ryan fixed games at Chuck E. Cheese and Kaleb was a personal trainer), our needs and staff have expanded significantly. 

After doing some thinking, we realized that while you see our faces on social media, you probably don’t know our individual roles in helping AAM create WILDLY SUCCESSFUL VIDEO. To remedy this, today’s blog pulls back the curtain to let you see what each of us really does here at Always Abounding. Let’s start with our founders.

Ryan Stanley is our creative guru and driving force for thinking outside the box to visualize our clients’ stories. Along with being a bastion of ingenuity, enthusiasm, and support, Ryan is a wonderful editor and motion graphics artist. Basically, our videos come to life in unique and compelling ways because of Ryan! (Bonus note: Ryan is a wicked bass player and might be the nicest guy in the world)

Up next is the other Always Abounding co-founder, Kaleb Buckner. Kaleb is our graphic designer and head of business development. He helps AAM grow by cultivating and maintaining relationships with our clients and wowing them with his signature design work. Internally, Kaleb works with our project manager, Makayla White, to keep AAM moving forward and our quality of work ever-improving! (Bonus note: Kaleb is a super talented musician who specializes in Dobro)

Speaking of Makayla, welcome Miss White! “Mak” manages our projects, builds incredible relationships with our clients, serves as our office mom, and sets the tone for the work we accomplish. Simply put, she keeps us on track and makes AAM stronger in a million ways. (Bonus note: Mak is a hand-letterer of epic proportions and her work finds its way into our projects often) 

Moving on, let’s look at Ty Stewart. Ty was originally hired as an editor, and while he is extremely gifted in this area, his talents as a Director of Photography pushed us to shift his role from behind the screen to behind the lens. Ty is a driven creative, who helps build the vision of each project before it starts and sees it through on set. Ty literally makes our videos happen. (Bonus note: Ty is a gearhead photographer and an avid watch collector, so keep that in mind when Christmas comes around) 

Let’s get to the editors, Nick Mastrian and Jordan Smyth! These guys are our newest members and both bring extensive editing experience to the table. Nick (Fire Lion - the nickname given for his flowing reddish-brown locks) is filled with the energy, ideas, and expertise to improve each project he touches. Jordan, a talented editor on his own right, also helps on set through his knowledge of lightning. These two are versatile, indispensable members of our team, and they’re equally great people to boot! (Bonus notes: Nick is a true master of movie quotes, and Jordan is an encyclopedia of all things George Strait)

Last up is Andrew Buckner. Andrew is our writer, office goof-off, and second CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer). In addition to telling our client’s stories through the written word, he pens our social posts, newsletters, and blogs (even the one you are reading now). If it has text, and it’s associated with AAM, there’s a good chance he (me) wrote it! (Bonus note: Andrew has pursued mandolin and guitar for all of his adult life and regularly plays shows in the Upper Cumberland area)

Thanks for getting to know the team! 

The next time you see a social post with our faces on it, you can say “I know what he/she does!”

We are so thankful for the growth God has provided AAM over the last few years, and we truly love each other and our city! It’s an honor to celebrate Knoxville through video, and doing it as a team is even sweeter!