Today we’d like to introduce you to Cosette Larash.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My path has been a bit unconventional, but the common thread through all of it has been a mindset of growth and treating every pivot as an opportunity.
I was very fortunate to have an amazing support system in my parents and coaches to play sports all my life. I worked hard and earned a scholarship to play Division 1 lacrosse at Johns Hopkins University where I was a goalie. Afterward, I felt a bit lost because sports had been such a massive part of my life, and professional women’s lacrosse didn’t exist yet. I knew I loved being outside, so I dove head first into the world of environmental research. I went to grad school at the University of Miami to study Marine Conservation and was fortunate enough to do my master’s degree on the island of Bonaire, studying with a sea turtle conservation organization. After graduating, I went back to the island to work as a scuba diver and do coral reef research.
While I loved being on boats and collecting data, I realized pretty quickly that I wasn’t meant to be a traditional researcher. What I actually loved was connecting the community to the science. So, I pivoted into science communication and media.
For nearly seven years, I worked as a multimedia producer and storyteller for institutions like the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, eventually leading projects for federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Geological Survey. My entire job was centered around a very specific challenge: how do you make an audience care about something they can’t see or understand? I took complex research and translated it into clear, high-end visual stories that people understood and trusted.
Earlier this year, I was laid off from my government contracting job. While it was a shock, it pushed me right into the next great opportunity: starting my own brand strategy and production company, Larash Creative. I saw a similar gap in the marketplace that I saw with science communication. I noticed that there are so many brilliant brands doing amazing things in the adventure, wellness, health, and travel spaces but there is a gap between how good they are in person and how they look online.
I realized with my experiences and background, I could help fix that. Being a Division 1 goalie taught me how to stay calm under the pressure of a live shoot, while my years at the Smithsonian taught me how to respect a brand’s mission. I bring that same discipline and strategic eye to every project I take on.
I believe your brand deserves to look as elite as it actually is. You work too hard to be passed up because of a generic website or social feed. I listen and pinpoint what makes your business unique and turn that into visuals that connect. Media that is pretty and trendy has its place, but every frame I capture has a single purpose – to give your ideal audience the clarity they need to trust your brand and turn your visuals into tools that helps your business grow.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth, linear path, but looking back, every twist led me exactly to where I am now, and I wouldn’t change any of it.
The first real challenge was right after college. When you’ve spent your entire life with an identity as an elite athlete, and suddenly that chapter closes, you are a bit lost. Navigating that ‘what now?’ phase took plenty of trial and error, and it took some time to really figure out who I am outside of sports.
Then, during my time in environmental research, I had to admit to myself that I was trying to force a square peg into a round hole. I loved the adventure of being on boats and diving, but I didn’t like the data-heavy side of traditional research. It also took some time to realize I needed to move away from the non-profit sector. It’s amazing and such important work, but I felt I could make a bigger impact some where else. That felt like another identity shift, which naturally came with a bit of friction and self-doubt.
The most recent challenge hit earlier this year when I was laid off. It was jarring to have that stability pulled out from under us overnight. Fortunately, my wife and I have a great support system and we’ve stayed financially disciplined, which put us in a position to handle the situation. I am so deeply grateful for her and her unwavering support through all of it.
Throughout all of these challenges, I always go back to the mindset I learned while playing competitive sports. I focus on being adaptive and stepping into a ‘figure it out’ mentality. We can’t always control the things that happen to us, we can only control our actions and our attitude. My coach at Johns Hopkins, Janine Tucker, always told us: ‘Feel how you feel for 24 hours but then get back on track.” That’s all we can control. I take that advice with me every single day, and it’s the exact mindset I bring into my business, my relationships, and whatever challenge I’m tackling next.
For anyone looking for a great resource on how to build that mentality, the book Mindset by Carol Dweck really dives deep into this way of thinking and has been huge for me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My company, Larash Creative is built for high-performance adventure, health, and travel brands.
Choosing your brand should be an easy decision, not a guessing game. If your digital presence feels static, potential clients can’t feel the energy or expertise you’ve built, they usually hesitate, click away, and often choose someone else who looks the part, even if they don’t offer your level of quality.
I know your work is amazing in person, but capturing that online often falls to the bottom of the list because you’re busy running your business. That’s where I come in. I build the strategy and create the content (brand photos, films, and social content) so the second a client finds you, they have immediate clarity on your standards and experience before they ever reach out. I handle the planning and the production, taking the creative heavy lifting off your plate so you can show up and focus on what you do best.
I believe high-end visuals should do three things: capture how your business feels, show exactly what you do, and make your brand the obvious choice.
As a former athlete and documentary storyteller, I bring a different perspective to your business. I know how to spot the details others miss and turn your impact into visuals that connect. I’m a partner who is invested in your vision and long-term growth, not just a camera person.
If you’re a service business ready to elevate your digital presence and want a free visual audit, reach out – I’m always happy to chat!
What matters most to you? Why?
Right now, three things matter most to me.
First, the depth of my relationships. I believe life is more abundant through connections with people you love and the new people you meet. There are so many amazing people and stories out there and connection is so important. I’ve also heard this saying ‘Seek to understand before being understood.’ Everyone is going through something challenging we know nothing about, just puts things into perspective.
Second, starting and ending my day with gratitude. Even on incredibly hard days, life is a precious gift and the little things are what matter most. My wife and I ask ourselves two questions every day: In the morning, ‘What are you grateful for?’ and in the evening, ‘What was your favorite part of today?’ It keeps us grounded and present, no matter how chaotic life gets.
Third, living life intentionally and growing every day. I believe that doing hard things is what shapes us into the person we’re meant to become, so I aim to do at least one uncomfortable thing every single day and having fun with it. I’m not perfect at it, but I’m working on it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://larashcreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larashcreative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560210850641&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=fyiFKbZVJcPW7t7n&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1BgMCLJQGX%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosette-larash
Image Credits
Cosette Larash
