Woman with a vision starts media outlet

After numerous story pitches were rejected, Gedalia Vera decided to use her skills, knowledge and entrepreneurship to start her own broadcast media, Inside Look TV Magazine.

Vera, who began operations in Olney in December 2016, said her mission is to focus on business owners, nonprofit organizations, charities and celebrities in feature stories.

“Some magazines don’t feature charities because they don’t make profit, but we feature charities and their stories,” Vera said, a native of Bolivia who traveled to America to pursue her dreams in media.

The idea for the TV magazine came in November 2016 when Vera said she was working in Washington, D.C., as a photographer at the “Be Beautiful Be Yourself Gala,” an annual fundraiser benefiting people with down syndrome. Vera pitched the idea to various media contacts and outlets to cover the story and spread awareness, but they all said, “No.”

“I thought it was an admirable event and the message was important, so when they said, ‘No,’ it intrigued me to do research and start my own media outlet,” said Vera.

Vera said she studied broadcasting, while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Communications, Field Production and Studio at the University of Maryland, College Park. The skills she acquired at UMD, and while working at internships and freelancing helped her launch her company in a matter of weeks, she said.

“In 2001, I was an undergrad working as a photojournalist with Univision, in Washington, D.C.,” said Vera. “I had experience because of internships with ABC, Latin Vision, NBC 4, and local magazines, so I knew the approach I wanted to take with my own company.”

To start her own business, Vera said research showed that print was going to be expensive. So, she said she decided to start an online and video feature magazine. She said she expands the reach of Inside Look TV Magazine by uploading videos, pictures, and articles on social media outlets such as YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

Inside Look TV Magazine is self-funded by advertising online and partnerships with various media outlets that use our media, Vera said. She said she is working to sell more advertisements so the publication can grow.

However, being a female in the media industry comes with its challenges, Vera said. There have been incidents where she had to prove herself to male customers and producers to be accepted or taken seriously in the media industry.

“I think being a female has been difficult,” she said, “usually I don’t tell people I’m the owner because some people are close-minded about it and their reactions are negative. But when I show my skills, they are blown away.”

Undaunted by the inequalities in the industry, Vera said she covers high profile events such as The Grammys, The Oscars, along with local events. Networking and taking the initiative are satisfying, especially when people recognize the brand, she said.

“It is still a learning process to me, but Inside Look TV Magazine is diverse because we want our audience to feel a part of the experience,” she said.