Unique Content for Your Brand! - Focus Forward Media

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in media production but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mike Neilan, Co-Founder of Focus Forward Media, Inc., located in Providence, RI, USA.

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

We are a media production company. We work with businesses in various industries to produce media content for advertising purposes. Most of our work is producing video content that our clients use on social media and the web to promote their products, services, or their business. Our clients range in size and industry, so we have some clients who work in the tech/app space, some in real estate/construction, and some in the food industry.

Tell us about yourself

I got interested in video when I was about 15 as a skateboarder. I became fascinated by skateboard videos, so I started making them with my friends. Once I started college, I had an internship with a commercial production company and became very interested in the advertising space. Toward the end of my time in college, I started doing freelance video work, shooting, and editing, as well as some wedding videos. By the time I graduated from college, I was working full-time freelance and making pretty good money for being 22 years old. It was an incredible feeling to support myself by doing work that I loved.

About a year and a half later, I met my now business partner, also named Mike ironically. We joined forces and started our own production company, growing from just us 2 in my apartment to now a team of 7 total in an office in downtown Providence. I think what motivates me to keep going is seeing our progression as a company in the work we do and the progression of our team overall. It's really rewarding to see them grow in their skills, not only in the work they do but genuinely as people too.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

To me, it's seeing the team Mike and I have built and the systems we now have in place as a team. We're a well-oiled machine compared to the first few years when you're starting a business, and it's rewarding to see how hard our team works to make amazing content for our clients.

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

I don't think I could say it's one thing; it's probably several little things that just come with the territory of running a business. You will almost never truly feel 'off the clock.' Any problems/issues are on your shoulders at the end of the day, and overall the pressure can just be really challenging. It's an incredibly rewarding thing, but of course, that doesn't come without challenges and hurdles to get through.

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

1. Be patient. Nothing happens overnight. Looking back now and seeing what we've accomplished in the last 5 years is amazing, but a lot of our growth has really been in the last two years. It truly takes time to build something meaningful.
2. Don't beat yourself up. It can be easy to see what you might've done wrong when faced with a challenge, but as most business owners know, you have to figure it out as you go. You can't be an expert at every aspect of running your business, and there will be times when you feel like you failed. But you can't beat yourself up, and my advice is to stay positive and get creative in problem-solving.
3. Remember to take time off. As an owner, whether you're solo or have business partners, it can be tough to step away from the business because you might feel like you're neglecting it. But I promise, time away from the business is super important. You need time to relax, enjoy life, and recharge. And to be honest, sometimes, when you get away, you might get some amazing ideas for your business that you wouldn't get while you're 'in it' every day, running the operations and getting things done. Again it's super rewarding running a business, but it is challenging, and it's essential to get away from it from time to time.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://focusforwardmedia.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FocusForwardMedia/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focusforwardmedia/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FocusFWDMedia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focusforwardmedia/

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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