Entrepreneur Bethany Watrous is the founder of Experience Heritage, based at The Guildhall (formally at Phase One).
Experience Heritage brings history to life through innovative digital storytelling. Whether it’s an interactive heritage trail app, an augmented reality experience, photogrammetric model or a digital animation, Experience Heritage combines archaeology and digital technologies to bring life to stories.
Bethany graduated from the University of York in 2018 with a Masters degree in the Archeology of Buildings. Originally from the USA, Bethany has previously worked as a director/producer, Project Manager for Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, and for the American Red Cross.
During her Masters, Bethany combined her archaeological and digital media skills to bring history to life through immersive and interactive storytelling content. She was supported by the University of York’s Enterprise Office after applying for a startup visa, and was then given a place within Phase One at the University where she built the business and has since worked with clients such as the National Trust and the National Paralympics Heritage Trust. Bethany took inspiration from the women she encountered during her time in academia, she says “though they weren’t business owners, they were working within digital heritage and facing similar issues in that sense. I found that greatly inspirational.”
Starting a business doesn’t come without its challenges. Bethany said
“my main challenge was actually that because I'm from the United States originally, I had to work extra hard to prove the viability/scalability/resiliency of the business before even getting started. Because of recent initiatives to create better diversity within sectors, specifically in worlds like tech, I've been lucky to find the industry eager to put my story forward, though sometimes it does feel a bit like tokenism.”
Bethany also said “another challenge for me is that I'm largely working by myself and [it’s often like juggling 7 roles at once]. It gets lonely and it's hard not to have other people to bounce ideas off of. I've done what I can to create networks and surround myself with other solopreneurs who are experiencing similar issues. I also, when given the opportunity, look to work collaboratively on projects so that each person can contribute their strength to a project.”
“All the random experiences that make up your history are a strength. You never know how you might use the different skills you’ve picked up along the way. I’ve worked in retail, I’ve been to film school, and now I work in digital heritage, but I utilise skills I developed throughout those very different experiences, like storytelling and working with clients, in my business today and they make me who I am. Your uniqueness is an asset.”
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