TL;DR As I approach my company’s 10-year anniversary, I’ve been reflecting on what I would do differently if I were just launching my business today. This isn’t a diary of regrets, but a candid, “up close” look for The Creative Director’s Up Close blog on the lessons I’ve learned, what I’d change, and my plans for the next decade.
How I Got Started (The Early Days)
When I graduated college, my sole focus was on creation—shooting and editing videos. I had zero interest in developing business or sales skills.
I quickly decided against the Hollywood path after a set experience, not because it was poorly managed, but because I realized that environment wasn’t for me. Given my limited video skills—common for new graduates—the corporate subcontracting route seemed the most sensible way to build experience and confidence.
I began as a video editing subcontractor for a software company later acquired by Google. While I hoped for a full-time role, it never materialized. I spent about a year and a half after graduation living at home and taking various freelance jobs while slowly developing my skills. They weren’t strong enough yet to launch my own business, but they were growing.
The Turning Point
The pivotal moment came around 2015. I was heavily reliant on that one software company, and during a major conference season, my anticipated workload was cut in half. The profit wasn’t what I expected, and payments started coming in late. Since this was essentially my only income, I was forced to confront reality: “I have to start navigating this and taking this business ownership thing seriously.”
After debating whether launching a real company was feasible, I committed. I started with a pseudo brand name, but in March 2016, I officially named it Monzo Media Productions.
The Launch and Initial Mindset
When I officially launched in July 2016, I was surprised by the initial success. I had some great months and was getting the work I wanted. I was learning on the job, taking online courses in sales, marketing, and creating compelling video.
Looking back, much of my early approach stemmed from my mindset: I was in pure creation mode. I was not focused on scaling a business, largely because I lacked a business background.—–What I Would Do Differently
If I were to start my video production company all over again, here are my key changes:
1. Secure My Finances First
- Savings: I would ensure I had 3-6 months of living expenses saved up.
- Part-Time Job: I would likely still work a part-time job during the transition. I initially avoided this to keep my schedule completely open for shoots, but some income stability is critical.
2. Focus on Long-Term Client Value (Branding Over Sales)
I would shift my focus from chasing short-term wins to building long-term value for my clients. During one sales call, a small business owner asked, “How do I know a video is going to work?” I struggled for an answer because success involves so many variables—a great video can’t save a bad product.
- I wish I had better emphasized the long-term, branding power of video over its immediate sales potential.
- While I studied concepts like ROI, I had no control over a client’s ad spend or product, making guarantees impossible. My true expertise was and is connecting a client with their audience on a deeper, more meaningful level.
3. Get a Mindset Coach Sooner
As creatives who happen to start businesses, we face unique challenges. I wish I had engaged a mindset coach in 2016, rather than waiting until 2019. Around 2018, I was struggling with stalled projects, a lack of leads, and making ill-advised personal involvement mistakes.
- A mindset coach offers invaluable perspective and individualized attention that you simply cannot get from online opinions. My friend Michael Gebben has been incredible for my mental growth and wellbeing. Doesn’t get much better than having someone like him who’s got my back.
4. Create a Formal Business Plan
I’m openly admitting this: I did not have a business plan. My plan was simply to “stay in business,” which is not a good strategy.
- Writing things down helps you stay on track, even if the details are uncertain.
- A plan is the necessary foundation. I wish I had created one in 2016. It doesn’t need to be fancy—a simple, practical PowerPoint is enough for a solopreneur.
5. Experiment Widely, Then Niche Down
In the early years, I recommend trying a lot of different things. I did this to some extent, which taught me what I liked and disliked before I specialized in private school and non-profit video marketing. If you don’t have a strong gravitational pull toward a specific niche, start broadly and then refine your focus.
Looking Ahead to the Next 10 Years
As I evolve, my process is changing. New technology is coming out. Team Expansion I traditionally handled all editing myself. That’s a dozy. However, deep-focus editing is becoming more difficult for me at the pace of videos we create.. I will be leaning heavily on bringing in more team members on a subcontractor basis for editing support. I want to keep the business running without burning anyone out, including myself. Sustaining the “Why”: As a creative, I never want to stop creating, but the business owner in me must recognize that sustaining the business is essential to continue the creative work.
My motivation, my “why,” remains constant: I truly enjoy working with private independent schools. The sheer number of stories to share is what gets me up every day.
