Ep 9. / Alex Kolodkin - Founder, Operator & Builder ~ CEO, Set Scouter

Alex Kolodkin is the founder and CEO of Set Scouter, a film locations marketplace that simplifies commercial and film production scouting across North America. 

Founded in Toronto, the company is backed by investors from Silicon Valley and Canada - and continues to set the industry standard for sourcing sets of all kinds, from small indie films, TV series, and cinematic blockbusters.

Set Scouter serves thousands of major brands and agencies, including Google, Walmart, Disney, and McDonald’s. 

During the pandemic, he started Safe Sets International, which grew into the largest film-focused COVID-19 advocacy group in the world. 

Before founding Set Scouter, Alex produced corporate videos and worked as a broadcaster. He holds a BA and MA from Toronto Metropolitan University and completed additional studies at UCLA. 

Outside of work, Alex serves as a National Director for the Kidney Foundation of Canada, invests in great founders, and races triathlons (including two Ironman 70.3s).

It was really energising re-connecting with Alex, and I am motivated by his driving force in leadership in the global media, film and production landscape. 

We also connected on the theme of movement. He and I hold a passion for endurance sport, and his passion comes out in today’s interview.

Highlights:

1. Early Career and DMZ Experience: Alex Kolodkin reflects on his early career, highlighting his time at the DMZ, a technology business incubator at Toronto Metropolitan University, which played a crucial role in shaping his entrepreneurial journey.
2. Building Set Scouter: Alex shares insights into founding Set Scouter, a film locations marketplace, discussing the challenges of overbuilding and the importance of iterating based on customer feedback.
3. Impact of COVID-19: The conversation delves into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the film industry and Set Scouter, highlighting the creation of Safe Sets International, a COVID education platform for the film industry.
4. Leadership and Empathy: Alex emphasizes the importance of leading with empathy, structuring one-on-ones to focus on team members' feelings and insights, and fostering a supportive team culture.
5. Personal Growth and Athletic Pursuits: Alex discusses his personal growth through endurance sports, drawing parallels between athletic training and business resilience, and sharing his journey from a non-athlete to a triathlete.