Studio Sherpas Podcast

Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chu, and Sara Kim are paper flower artists, educators, and co-founders of a mastermind built specifically for creative makers. In this episode, they share why story — not just skill — is what separates thriving artists from those who stay invisible. We also dig into why the creative maker market is a surprisingly powerful niche for video professionals to explore, and what it really takes to just start showing up on camera. Key Takeaways Sharing your story isn't optional — your audience is already guessing what your brand is about, so you might as well tell them yourself. The creative maker market (paper artists, ceramicists, makers of all kinds) produces inherently beautiful visuals and is actively looking for videographers who get them. You don't learn until you launch — waiting for the perfect setup or the perfect script just delays the growth that only comes from doing. A mastermind works best when the leaders model vulnerability first — that's what gives members permission to open up

Ryan goes live — sort of — and ends up doing what he does best: real, honest coaching. In this solo-ish episode, Ryan chats with Mark Cruz about the fear of hiring help and what it actually looks like to start delegating in a small video business. Ryan also gets candid about overcoming perfectionism and why launching imperfectly beats not launching at all. Key Takeaways Hiring a virtual assistant through sites like onlinejobs.ph or Upwork — even for just 5–10 hours a week — can free up serious mental bandwidth and open the door to more revenue-generating work You don't need consistent income to start hiring; start small, build trust, and scale from there Perfectionism is the enemy of progress — in business and in life, done beats perfect every time Use AI tools (like Claude!) alongside personality assessments to build a hiring process that finds someone who truly complements how you work About Ryan Koral Ryan Koral is a documentary filmmaker, founder, and creative coach based in Michigan. Over the last 20+

Alex Yu is a real estate team leader and coach out of Orange County, California who's spent 21+ years learning what it really means to serve the right people — not just more people. In this conversation, Alex and Ryan get into the surprising parallels between real estate and the video business, particularly around audience clarity, the danger of copying other people's content strategies, and why being authentically yourself online is actually your biggest competitive advantage. It's a refreshingly honest conversation from someone who's made the expensive mistakes so you don't have to. Key Takeaways "Everyone is my client" is a trap. If you're trying to speak to everyone, you're resonating with no one. Getting specific about who you serve — and why — is what makes your content and your marketing actually work. Copying someone else's strategy is like copying a copy of a copy. Alex's analogy of a house key that gets worse with each duplicate is spot on: by the time you're doing a watered-down version of what wo

Brian Bogert is a human connection expert and voice architect who helps people identify the hidden patterns and emotional blocks that keep them stuck — in life and in business. In this episode, we dig into why so many creatives struggle to charge what they're worth, how childhood experiences shape our business decisions, and what it actually looks like to "drop the armor" so you can show up with more confidence and land better clients. Key Takeaways Your pricing problem is probably a personal problem. Brian shares how a video creative with over a million followers had never made more than $50K/year — until they addressed the emotional blocks tied to a childhood experience. Within months, she 3X'd her rate and was on track for her first million. Ask the question nobody's asking. The simplest way to get unstuck is to ask yourself (and your clients) better, open-ended questions. Brian's framework: "Questions create options and opportunities to make new choices." Strong spine, soft front. Know your value, your b

Bill Grant is a partner and creative director at As Told By, a production company out of Columbia, South Carolina. After 20+ years in the industry—starting in weddings and grinding through social media retainers—he landed on something that actually works: long-form storytelling for nonprofits, built around a framework that helps clients use their videos and actually raise money with them. He also shares how he transitioned from a full W-2 team to a lean contractor model, and how his studio is quietly becoming a podcast production hub. Key Takeaways The "Blueprint Framework" — Bill's system for making sure nonprofit clients get real ROI from their videos: get it in all the foundational places (YouTube, LinkedIn, website, email signature), show it in person as often as possible, and actually analyze the results Retainer-heavy social media work can feel productive but often burns clients out — long-form, emotionally-driven storytelling tends to create far more lasting impact and return business Transitioning fr

In this conversation with Jeremy Vest, we explore the real challenges of running a sustainable video business—from figuring out profitable pricing to building systems that let you step away without everything falling apart. Jeremy shares his journey from underpricing his work to creating a business model that prioritizes recurring revenue and genuine client relationships over the feast-or-famine cycle that plagues so many filmmakers. Key Takeaways Pricing isn't just about covering costs—it needs to account for growth, overhead, and the strategic value you bring to clients, not just your time and equipment Recurring revenue relationships beat one-off projects—focusing on retainer clients and long-term partnerships creates predictable income and reduces marketing stress Systems free you from your business—documenting processes and building operational systems lets you scale without being the bottleneck in every decision Your business should serve your life goals—whether that's flexibility, income, or creative

Skye Waterson joins the show to talk about something that hits home for a lot of creatives—why we start everything but finish nothing. She breaks down the connection between ADHD symptoms and creative entrepreneurship, shares her game-changing filter for deciding what actually deserves your attention, and explains why having fewer goals will get you further faster. This one's packed with practical systems that'll help you work with your brain instead of constantly fighting against it. Key Takeaways About 30% of creative entrepreneurs show ADHD symptoms—and most don't even realize it's affecting how they run their business The Filter Framework helps you ask three critical questions before taking on any new project: Does this move my business forward? Can I do this sustainably? Will this create momentum? Having 20 goals for the year means you're building a house of cards that'll collapse the moment something shifts—focus on one domino at a time instead Deep work sessions are most effective when you focus on co

Brian Galke breaks down how to decode people's facial features to connect better with clients and prospects. He shares practical tips on reading eyebrow shapes, understanding personal vs. business sides of the face, and why soft skills matter more than ever as AI automates technical work. This isn't manipulation—it's about truly seeing people and serving them at the highest level. Key Takeaways The Three Eyebrow Shapes: Straight eyebrows = facts and data people; angled eyebrows = action-oriented doers; rounded eyebrows = emotional, relationship-focused individuals. Tailor your communication style based on what you observe. Left vs. Right Side of Face: The left side (from your perspective) shows someone's personal/emotional side, while the right shows their business/logical side. Notice which side they lead with to understand how to connect. Soft Skills Are Your Competitive Advantage: With up to 800 million jobs potentially replaced by AI, your ability to read people, connect authentically, and make others fe

Jonathan Mast (the White Beard AI Guy) breaks down how video professionals can use AI to handle the administrative grunt work that's eating up their time—without sacrificing quality or creativity. He shares his proven strategies for creating consistent content, automating client onboarding, and using AI as a creative partner instead of a replacement. If you've been overwhelmed by AI or skeptical about how it fits into your business, this conversation will change your perspective. Key Takeaways Start with operations, not creativity – Use AI to handle scheduling, client communications, and admin tasks before trying to use it for creative work. These "boring" tasks are where you'll see immediate time savings. The Q&A content strategy – Record simple videos answering common client questions. You already know the answers, so there's no need for scripts or elaborate setups. Batch record them in an hour and you've got weeks of content. AI as your creative partner – Think of AI tools as amplifiers of your creativ

Elisa Trentham is a legacy storyteller, founder of Sherwood Media, and adjunct instructor who's learned how to build a video business on her own terms. In this conversation, she shares why elevating client experience matters more than having the fanciest gear, how she's building her own distribution platform through live events, and the importance of defining success based on your values—not someone else's highlight reel. Key Takeaways Client experience is everything – From pre-production prep to the actual set, creating an elevated experience for your clients sets you apart more than your camera specs ever will. Build your own platform – Instead of relying solely on social media algorithms, create your own distribution through live events and community experiences where you control the narrative. Define success on your terms – Stop comparing your behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlight reel. Your journey, your values, and your definition of success are what matter. Be a "heck yes" person – If you're g

Rob Clark from That Tall Family has generated over 5 billion views on social media, and in this episode, he breaks down exactly what it takes to get attention in 2025. We talk about why most video businesses are posting the wrong way, how to create content that actually converts, and the game-changing mindset shift you need to stop chasing clients and start attracting them. If you've been struggling to grow your audience or wondering if social media even matters for your production business, this conversation will change how you think about content creation. Key Takeaways Attention is the new currency. If you don't have people's attention, you don't have a business. Rob's entire philosophy centers around earning attention first, then converting it into clients and revenue. The 20% rule for creators. Dedicate at least 20% of your work week to building your own brand and creating content for yourself—not just for clients. This investment pays off by letting you charge more, attract better clients, and prove you

Paige Burns is shifting her entire business from brand work to schools and nonprofits—and she's being refreshingly honest about how hard that pivot actually is. In this conversation, we dig into why networking still beats any sales funnel you can build, how hiring your "competitors" actually grows your business faster, and the one random conversation that's made her tens of thousands of dollars. Key Takeaways One networking conversation at a conference led to tens of thousands in referral work across multiple universities—proof that in-person connections still outperform any automated sales funnel Hiring and collaborating with people you see as "competitors" creates a healthier business ecosystem and almost always comes back to benefit you Being an introvert doesn't disqualify you from networking—Paige forced herself to attend one event per week when starting out, and it fundamentally changed her business and confidence When pivoting your business focus (like Paige's shift from brand work to schools/nonprofi

Molly Mahoney drops serious knowledge about using AI to amplify your creative business instead of fearing it. She walks through how she built an interactive tool that generated 130 sales in three days, ran a Facebook auction that hit $30K in eight minutes, and why helping others succeed is the secret to growing your own business. If you've been wondering how to actually use AI in your video business without feeling like a sellout, this one's for you. Key Takeaways AI should amplify your creativity, not replace it—use these tools to handle the repetitive stuff so you have more time for actual creative work. Interactive tools create "activation offers" that give clients quick wins and naturally lead them to need your higher-level services. Agentic systems can automate your entire client journey by connecting different AI tools and apps together (tools like MindPal and Base44 make this accessible). Authenticity indicators (your mistakes and stumbles) build more trust than perfectly polished content ever will.

Ryan sits down with keynote speaker and author Andy Storch to talk about why your personal brand matters way more than your company brand—especially if you're trying to land corporate work. They dive into LinkedIn strategy for video business owners, why being relatable beats being perfect, and how Andy and Mike Kim collaborated on their latest book. Plus, you'll hear Ryan's hilarious story about filming a wedding for a software guy who married a stripper (spoiler: it didn't last). Key Takeaways Personal brand over company brand: People follow people, not companies—especially on LinkedIn. Share your story, your behind-the-scenes, your personality, not just portfolio pieces. Relationships trump perfection: Clients often hire based on how you make them feel and how easy you are to work with, not just because you have the best reel. The corporate shift is more profitable: Moving from weddings to corporate work means better margins, repeat clients, and getting your weekends back. AI makes your humanity more valuab

David Newman drops some serious truth bombs about why traditional sales tactics feel so gross—and what to do instead. He breaks down his "relationship-first" approach to business, explains why being divisive with your values is actually your competitive advantage, and shares how to escape the feast-or-famine cycle that keeps so many video businesses stuck. This isn't about tricks or scripts—it's about becoming the kind of person clients naturally want to work with. Key Takeaways Your values should filter clients in AND out—stop trying to convince everyone and start attracting the right ones The feast-or-famine cycle happens when you're focused on the next sale instead of building genuine relationships Being "divisive" with your beliefs isn't political—it's strategic positioning that saves everyone time Sales doesn't have to feel pushy when you lead with service and let your values do the filtering About David Newman David Newman, CSP. David is a Certified Speaking Professional®, a popular keynote speaker, a

In this special end-of-year episode, I'm getting personal and reflective about 2025 - the wins, the struggles, and what I'm cooking up for next year. If you've been following along this year (or if this is your first episode), grab a coffee and join me for an honest look at what it means to build a sustainable creative business while staying true to yourself. What You'll Learn Why I almost walked away from my production business this year (and what changed my mind) The power of collaboration over traditional client work (including my successful revenue-share partnerships) How being intentional about relationships transformed my business and life What's coming in 2026: new book, app launch, and a non-filmmaker mastermind Key Takeaways On Gratitude and Relationships Your personal relationships are your business foundation - the mastermind retreat in Austin was a career highlight The power of connecting people in your network (it brings more fulfillment than any film project) Why surrounding yourself with peo

Justin Kavanaugh (Coach Kav), CEO of Sites at Scale, breaks down why showing your creative process isn't just good content—it's a client attraction strategy that gets you paid more. We talk about beating perfectionism paralysis, the psychology behind why clients value transparency, and his AAA framework (Attention, Attraction, Accessibility) for growing your video business. If you've been holding back on launching something because it's not perfect, this conversation's your wake-up call to ship it now and iterate later. Key Takeaways Transparency builds trust and value - When clients see your creative process and understand the thought behind each decision, they appreciate your work more and are willing to pay premium rates because you're managing expectations throughout the journey Done beats perfect every time - The only way to learn what actually works is to ship your content, test it with real audiences, and iterate based on feedback rather than staying stuck in planning mode The AAA Framework for growth

Chad Godfrey has been running Summit Video Services for over 20 years, and he's built something most video pros overlook: a thriving business where 60% of revenue comes from video transfers and archival work. In this conversation, we dig into why his transfer business keeps growing year after year, how local networking and in-person relationships are still the best marketing strategy, and why teaching free workshops can actually land you more clients instead of giving away the farm. Key Takeaways Video transfer and archival services can be a massive, consistent revenue stream—Chad's business grows every year despite assumptions that the market would dry up Building real relationships through chambers, boards, and local networking events is still the most effective way to generate buzz and trust in your community Teaching free workshops positions you as a leader and keeps you top of mind when people need professional help—it's counterintuitive but it works Having strategic relationships with complementary bus

Brad Ellison went from selling insurance to building Michigan's highest-rated painting company in just a few years, and he's got some seriously practical wisdom about profit, personality, and perfectionism. In this conversation, we dig into why finishing jobs to 75% can actually be the smartest move for your business, how your core values should drive everything from your marketing to your hiring, and why contractors are the perfect clients for video producers right now. About Brad Ellison Brad grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan and graduated from Oakland University. During school, his goal was always to run his own small business and he got his start at age 19 when he started a local window washing company to pay for tuition. Brad and Rachel operate Ellison Painting together and now live in Oakland Twp with their 5-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son. They enjoy exercising, time outdoors, and being involved in the local community and church. Key Takeaways Stop over-delivering: That last 25% of polish you're a

Maeve Ferguson breaks down why quiz funnels are dominating lead generation right now and how you can build one that actually qualifies your prospects instead of just filling up your inbox. She shares her journey from accountant to funnel strategist to AI obsessed entrepreneur, plus we get into the wild world of agentic AI—including the agent she built that finds speaking opportunities and matches them to her calendar automatically. Key Takeaways Quiz funnels outperform traditional lead magnets because they tap into people's curiosity and desire to learn about themselves Your intellectual property (IP) and strategic frameworks are what'll make you AI-proof—the execution will get automated Agentic AI can handle repetitive tasks like finding leads, posting content, and even analyzing ad performance The best quizzes aren't about convincing people they need your service—they're about helping qualified prospects realize they're ready for it About Maeve Ferguson Maeve Ferguson Is A Business Strategist And The Crea