Unlocking Creativity: How Casey Lawlor and UnVale Are Transforming the Future of Storytelling
For millions of creatives, the journey from passion to profession is anything but linear. Many are told to put aside their artistic dreams in favor of “real” careers—until someone dares to change the narrative. Casey Lawlor, Founder of Unvale, is on a mission to empower artists, writers, and creators to build lasting worlds and stories that reach the audiences they deserve.
From Creative Kid to Startup Founder
Casey’s journey began with a deep love for art and storytelling.
“I was a creative kid overflowing with ideas, drawing, characters, and stories. I even built a computer in middle school in order to do digital art,” he recalls.
But like many young artists, societal pressure led him away from his creative instincts.
“Leading up to college, I felt I needed to pursue a ‘real’ career and gave up on the creative arts forever.”
That realization stayed with him. Today, Unvale is his way of keeping the creative spark alive—not just for himself, but for the millions of others who have been told to put their artistic passions on hold.
Lessons Learned on the Startup Journey
Every founder has defining moments that shape their leadership style. For Casey, the most important lesson is one of trust and perseverance.
“If you and your co-founders trust each other, there is always a path forward. Resiliency is earned through the hundreds of moments where you didn’t give up.”
And if he could go back and give himself one piece of advice at the start of his journey?
“Learn the broad strokes about backend architecture!!!”
The Highs and Lows of Being a Founder
Building a company is an all-consuming experience—something Casey both embraces and acknowledges as a challenge.
“I love having an idea permeate all of my thoughts and waking moments, but it’s not for everyone (and sometimes you will be annoying to your friends and family).”
But for all the late nights and obsessive thinking, the rewards are immeasurable.
“The most rewarding moments are when you look back after years of sustained effort and see just how far you have come. Smell the flowers. It’s nice here.”
Unvale’s Mission: Changing the Creative Landscape
So, how will Unvale change the world? Casey has big ambitions:
“We will be the single largest engine for new characters, worlds, stories, and new IP in the history of publishing.”
His vision is one of access and opportunity—giving creatives the tools they need to bring their ideas to life.
“My purpose is to provide access to the unbelievable amount of creative talent that exists in the world. Those ideas deserve an audience, and we will all be better with those perspectives having a wider reach.”
The Culture of Creativity at Unvale
The Unvale team embodies the creative energy they hope to foster. A perfect example? Their DnD campaign, where every team member created original characters with backstories and artwork.
“We still keep those characters and will use them occasionally for profile pictures or accounts on other sites. It’s a fun memento of a little creative exercise we get to take with us everywhere we go online.”
What’s Next? (Hint: It Might Involve a Food Truck)
When asked if there’s anything else people should know, Casey drops an unexpected gem:
“I am doing this startup thing to fund my future food truck. It will be a bánh mì-style Nashville hot chicken sandwich truck. Name TBD.”
Until then, Casey and the team at Unvale are focused on redefining the future of storytelling—one world, one character, and one creator at a time.
