Bringing Ideas to Life - JSW Productions

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Joe Wise, Founder of JSW Productions, located in Richmond, VA, USA.

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

JSW Productions is a digital media production company that helps creators and small businesses create quality content that builds their brands. We specialize in podcast production but help brands discover and create the content marketing strategy that fits their business.

Tell us about yourself

From a young age, I was always starting a small business. Whether it was selling firewood, pressure washing houses, or cutting grass, I loved venturing out on my own. As a result, I think I always knew I was going to start something; it was just a matter of when not if. While I was working as a creative for an organization, I began to see the need small businesses had for creative support that understood what would move their business forward. As I began to question what I wanted my future to look like, this felt like the perfect opportunity where my love for the creative industry, business, and helping people bring their ideas to life all came together. After a few months of not being able to shake the feeling that it was time, I started JSW in March 2020 (with no idea of how the world was about to change).

What keeps me motivated is getting to see our clients' businesses continue to grow as a result of the content we create together. The desire to build things has always been core to me, so I love that every day as I get to build this company, I get to do it through helping others build theirs.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

This sounds cheesy, but I absolutely love when a customer has a huge smile on their face when they see the final cut of the content we create. Recording video can be a very vulnerable experience, so getting to create environments that put a client at ease and then delivering a product that they are proud of is what I am most proud of.

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

I think the hardest thing is separating the business from my own identity. It's difficult when you are so invested in building something to have boundaries that keep the business from taking over too much of your life. There is never enough time in the day to get everything done, so at some point, a line needs to be drawn, and that's not easy.

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

1. Find some people that you can share the highs and lows with. There is a lot of pressure running a business, but I think having people that you can share that with is huge.
2. Know you won't be perfect, so don't let perfection keep you from trying different things. Every business owner can tell you about mistakes they have made, so you don't have to worry about making a mistake (because you will), but the opportunities that show up from just trying things and learning from mistakes are invaluable.
3. Find a trick that works for you to be able to flip back and forth between the 5-10+ year vision and the weekly tasks. It can be very difficult to balance the ins and outs of running a business each week and ensuring that you are making decisions that serve your long-term goals and vision. I believe that creating space regularly is crucial to discern the urgent vs. important for your business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://jswproductions.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JSWProductionsLLC/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jswproductions/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jsw-productions/

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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