Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Bravo.
Hi Julie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in the movie theater, with my father, uncle & grandfather opening their first multi-plex together in 1976 when I was just two years old. Movies have always brought magic into my life, and many of my core memories centered around the movie-going experience: birthday party celebrations, huge Summer blockbuster experiences, first dates, weekend outings with friends, taking my own children to their first movies…so many amazing memories.
I started working at the theater in high school selling popcorn & tickets, and then on college vacations, interning in the marketing department. After graduating from college with a degree in Communication, the pull of the movies brought me back home and to the family business full-time. I started editing co-op newspaper ads for the marketing department in my mid-20s, and now, 23 years later, I’m CEO!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The movie industry definitely does NOT operate on a smooth road; I would characterize it more like a roller coaster: Consistent ups and downs, but always a thrilling & exciting ride.
Our industry is product-driven. When the movies are good, the guests will come. When the offerings are lacking, our attendance drops significantly. It’s seasonal as well: Summer blockbusters and Holiday tent-poles bring out the masses, when certain months, like January & September, are generally slower. With decades of experience with these ebbs and flows, I know what to expect, how to embrace busy days, and know that slow days will not last forever.
As a company, UltraStar has experienced both growth and downsizing. At our height, we were the 34th largest movie theater circuit in the United States and also operated locations in Mexico. We opened the first-of-its-kind Multi-tainment Center in 2012, which served as a showcase location for future builds.
The COVID pandemic truly changed our industry and forced complete closures for months at a time. The advances and increased access to portable technologies, as well as the addition of new streaming platforms, have also affected the movie-going audience. However, even with these new challenges, there is NOTHING like the magic of the movies. There is NOTHING that compares to sitting in a dark auditorium, surrounded by other people, with no distractions, experiencing a film on the giant screen. Movie theaters are here to stay.
As you know, we’re big fans of UltraStar Cinemas. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
UltraStar Cinemas has the reputation of being a “hidden gem” in San Diego, and we embrace that. As a small, locally owned & operated movie theater surrounded by larger chain theaters, we have our work cut out for us in order to stand apart. Most movie theaters show the same movies, so it’s extremely important that we give our guests a reason to choose us over the many competitors in the area.
Our mission is to provide state-of-the-art movie entertainment in a clean, friendly, and inclusive environment at an affordable price. My team works hard every day to make this a reality. We are thrilled to have a 4.5 Google review rating and that most of our guest feedback includes praising our welcoming and accommodating staff. Hearing a “Welcome to UltraStar” as guests walk through the door is important. We truly appreciate the fact that San Diegans make the choice to support our Cinemas.
We work closely with our community and host film festivals and school groups regularly. We are also proud supporters of many non-profit organizations offering complimentary movie tickets and concessions to many who wouldn’t otherwise be able to experience the magic of the movies.
Additionally, it is my honor to be a long-time supporter of the National MS Society. For the past 21 years, UltraStar Cinemas has raised money to help people affected by MS to live their best lives, sponsoring and participating in annual walk events. Currently, we are raising money year-round by donating a portion of every concession combo sold to this worthy organization. I am very thankful that my position at UltraStar has allowed me to help such an important cause.
How do you think about luck?
I’d say that it was good luck that I was born to an entrepreneurial father who decided in his mid-20s that he wanted to run a movie theater—rather than sell insurance! Growing up in the theater environment truly impacted my life. I was at the movies every week, which is something most people don’t have the opportunity to experience. Seeing such a wide variety of movies throughout my life has also opened my eyes to stories from all corners of the globe which has helped to shape who I am as a person.
I’m passing this love for movies on to my family as well. My husband and I have date nights at the local theater multiple times a month, and our three kids have been going to the movies since they were infants. After having my first son in 2002, I started a program called Parent Movie Morning so that new moms and dads could see a movie without having to leave their new little one at home and without disturbing other moviegoers. Because of this my kids each attended their first movie before they could walk! My kids continue to have a passion for the movies and have taken film classes in both high school and college. I know they’d agree that they are lucky to have grown up with the movies. It’s my dream that they may follow in my footsteps and join the family business someday.
Contact Info:
- Website: UltraStarMovies.com
- Instagram: ultrastarsd
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UltraStarMV7
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-bravo-0854bb7/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ultrastar-mission-valley-at-hazard-center-san-diego
