Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in freelancing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Oskar Kriukelis, Founder of OK Edits, located in London, Essex, UK.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
OK Edits is a Freelance Video Editing / 3D Artist specializing in Digital Media. Clients range from advertising agencies to musical artists and clothing brands.
Tell us about yourself
I am part of one of the first generations who grew up with their primary source of entertainment coming from the internet. It all started when I got my first laptop at 10 years old. I instantly became hooked on watching YouTube videos and happened to stumble upon tutorials explaining how to edit videos. One example that I remember clearly was a video explaining how to add a muzzle flash to a gun on Sony Vegas.
Ever since then, I just kept making fun YouTube videos for my friends and family until the time came to decide whether I should go to University or not. At this point, I felt as though I had already learned everything a course could teach me. So, I took a leap of faith and decided to take this video editing thing seriously and start finding clients. And now, we are basically in the present; I am around 1 year into working for myself as a freelance video editor, and so far, it's going pretty well. I am still a while away from being in a sustainable place economically; however, I will not stop working hard until I am. The overwhelming support from people who see my personal projects is what makes me motivated to keep going every day, and when the motivation ends, the discipline begins. I aim to hopefully keep growing my TikTok presence to both market my services and build a following of people who appreciate the personal projects that I create that fuel my soul.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I would say my biggest accomplishment as a business owner so far is literally just making this all somehow work out. I'm not really a business person; all I really want to do is just make creative content, and being able to do that and earn an income from it is amazing.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Being sold on the idea that once you work for yourself, you are in charge of how many hours you work. This is technically true, but to be successful (especially when you start out), you have to work every day. This is why you need to be sure that you are truly passionate about what you do; otherwise, it will just start feeling like any other job. But for me personally, the hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is the constant anxiety that you will not make it.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make sure it's something you are truly passionate about. Can you have fun with it? Do you not mind the long hours? Being a business owner is not easy.
- Social Media is the best place to market yourself and to network, especially TikTok.
- Be OK with failing and learning from your mistakes, and coming back. Always come back.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.okedits.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oskar.edit/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oskar-kriukelis-a249b9166/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.