Outta Town Adventures

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Bea Broda, Producer, Writer, and Host of BC Pictures and Outta Town Adventures, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I have a production company which has been called BC Pictures since 1987. I produce, write, and host TV shows (series) focused on travel. Prior to that, I was a talk-show host for a Global affiliate, and I have a B.A. in Psychology, a Bachelor of Metaphysical Science degree, and an Honours diploma in Theatrical Performance. My current TV series, Outta Town Adventures, runs on Amazon Prime Video in English-speaking countries; and has been translated into seven different languages for broadcast in Europe, Vietnam, and Turkey. 52 episodes have currently been produced, and work has begun on Season Five. The series presents the lifestyle and cultural highlights of the destination it is featuring, from Arizona to Uzbekistan and everything in between. While my focus is on producing travel TV shows, I have a full scale production studio with broadcast quality camera and editing equipment and software to create videos/TV/multimedia on many topics.

Tell us about yourself

Originally from Winnipeg, I came to Toronto because I had been the host of daily TV talk shows for 5 years and felt I wanted to broaden my horizon. I was the host and co-producer of another travel show prior to registering (and incorporating) my company to branch off into a series of my own. This evolved into the production of several TV series and a variety of multimedia products including hundreds of video clips for the Internet and corporate productions for tourist boards. There is much reward to working fully conscientiously when you are doing it for your own business.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I am happy to say that my business has sustained over 36 years of ups and downs in the economy, technological advancements, and crises within the travel industry. I have successfully transitioned the technological requirements of broadcast work that has experienced a paradigm shift along with every other industry affected by the evolution of electronics and telecommunications. In other words, I’m still standing!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One challenge can be the willingness to evolve to grow your business in the face of a changing world and to incorporate crisis management for the same reasons. Just because you're excellent at what you do doesn't mean that the world will not have completely different expectations of it down the road. Adapting and keeping current on skills and trends is critical to sustained success.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Believe in your skill, service, or product. It helps to put your personal “signature” on your brand.
Remain flexible to new ideas and adapt. Keep the creative juices flowing. There is only one you, so pouring your individuality into your business will keep you unique and memorable.
Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em.

Many people want to do my job because it offers a world of travel and adventure, but it doesn't take them long to figure out that it's a demanding occupation that is much different from the excitement of getting to see the world. All businesses are like that: it's the essence of it that draws your interest, and then it's time to peel back the layers and realistically develop a business strategy to maintain the exciting aspects over time. I think that it's important to persevere in any career if you truly believe it's your calling, and if your walls are papered with rejection letters, try yet again. People can tell when you're serious and sincere. Investing in yourself by obtaining all the required skills, equipment, software, and support will propel any business in the direction of success.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.beabroda.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bea.broda/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beabroda/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beabroda
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3v9DVnY

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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