Carly Thomas
Payroll Coordinator at Cast & Crew
Sometimes the most meaningful career paths begin with an unexpected opportunity.
Before joining Cast & Crew, Carly Thomas built a career in the creative world. After studying textile design at FIDM, she worked as a freelance artist across different creative spaces, from designing specialty clothing carried at Fred Segal to creating visual artwork for concerts and music artists.
Her path to Cast & Crew was not one she originally planned. She joined the company through a temporary assignment as a data entry clerk, never expecting that a short-term opportunity would become the foundation for a long-term career.
What started as an entry-level role became an opportunity to learn, grow, and discover a new side of the entertainment industry. Carly began in the Commercials department before transitioning into Music, where she advanced from Associate to Music Tours Coordinator.
Along the way, she developed a deeper understanding of payroll, the entertainment business, and the relationships that connect every part of the process.
“I started at the entry level without fully understanding every aspect of payroll from beginning to end,” Carly says. “Over time, through experience, challenges and a lot of learning, I have built expertise.”
That growth has been shaped by the people around her and the culture she’s experienced at Cast & Crew. While the work requires precision and attention to detail, Carly has appreciated the opportunities to bring her creativity and personality into the workplace.
Some of her favorite memories come from company traditions like Halloween wars, decorating contests, and lip-sync battles, where employees across the organization could share different sides of themselves. Those experiences helped Carly build connections with colleagues beyond their day-to-day roles.
The relationships she has built over the years remain one of the most meaningful parts of her experience. From teammates who supported her growth to clients who trust her expertise, Carly has found fulfillment in becoming someone others can rely on.
One experience Carly takes particular pride in is navigating Executive Officer season within Music Tours. As one of the busiest and most detail-oriented times of the year, the season requires focus, organization, and a deep understanding of each client’s needs.
“There’s something incredibly rewarding about getting to the other side of that season and seeing everything flow smoothly,” Carly says. “You can look back at all of the work that happened behind the scenes and really appreciate what you accomplished.”
Looking back on her journey, Carly is proud of the confidence she's gained along the way. What began as a temporary role has become a career built on trust and lasting relationships.
“Today, I can confidently say that I know what I’m doing,” she says. “I take pride in producing quality work, and I’ve become someone my clients and teammates can count on.”
Carly’s journey is a reminder that growth doesn’t always follow a straight path. By embracing new opportunities, continuing to learn, and bringing her own perspective to the work, she’s built a career defined by creativity, connection, and confidence.
