From VHS to visionary: Tyler Roberds’ journey through storytelling
Long before he turned it into a business, Tyler Roberds was drawn to storytelling.
As a child, he asked for a black-and-white toy video camera for Christmas — one that recorded directly to VHS. He didn’t yet know that filmmaking could be a career. He just knew it was all he wanted to do.
“I’ve always liked to entertain,” Roberds said. “But as I got older, I found out what I really love is telling stories.”
Growing up in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Roberds was immersed in creativity early on. His mother, Julie Roberds, was the digital media instructor at Green Country Technology Center, and she often let him tinker with the classroom’s camera equipment and editing software after school. By the time he officially enrolled in the program, he already had a working knowledge of professional tools and techniques.
“Digital media was the only thing that made sense for me,” he said. “I was already doing video and design projects for fun, so getting into a program where I could do it for a grade — and with professional gear — was a no-brainer.”
Though the dynamic was a little different with his mom as his instructor, Roberds said, Green Country Tech always felt like home. That connection has lasted well into his professional career.
Today, he owns and operates Roberds Studio, a freelance video and photo business that produces content for clients across Oklahoma — including CareerTech centers like Green Country, Central and Indian Capital technology centers.
He also recently launched a second service under Roberds Studio called Legacy Records, which focuses on personal, documentary-style videos. These projects preserve the life stories of parents, grandparents and loved ones in their own words, filmed in their own homes.
“It’s the most meaningful work I’ve ever done,” Roberds said. “I’ve interviewed CEOs, senators and musicians — but the most impactful interviews I’ve done are with regular people. Everyone has a story worth sharing, and I want to help families preserve those powerful, personal stories for generations to come.”
Roberds credits Green Country Tech and CareerTech for giving him the tools — and more importantly, the mindset — to turn his skills into a sustainable career.
One turning point came through a class project called “The Big Show,” in which students were challenged to develop a full business from scratch: concept, branding, marketing, budget and more.
“I remember really struggling with that project,” he said. “But it helped me realize I could actually create something real. That was a big shift in how I saw myself.”
He also gained confidence through Business Professionals of America, which gave him a platform to compete and showcase his creative work statewide.
“BPA helped me see myself as a creative professional, not just a kid who liked art,” he said. “Seeing what other students were doing pushed me to level up.”
Though technology has changed dramatically since he was a student, Roberds said he believes CareerTech positioned him to adapt. He remembers a time before smartphones and social media, when video content was rare and most small businesses didn’t even have websites.
“It was tough timing,” he said. “But I’m glad I stuck with it, because now video is everything. And thanks to CareerTech, I was ready when the world caught up.”
Roberds continues to push himself creatively, always looking for new ways to tell meaningful stories. Whether he’s producing brand videos or filming a grandparent’s life story, the goal is the same: Make something worth sharing.
“CareerTech gave me a huge head start,” he said. “It gave me the confidence and training to build something real and turn my passion into purpose.”
