Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kevin Cantrell, CEO of The Divine Saga Studios, LLC., located in Hayesville, NC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I have a 3D/2D animation studio first. We can create animations for explainer videos, marketing ads, storytelling, and many others. We also offer logo design copywriting, blogging, and technical writing. Lastly, we also teach students from all over the world 3D Animation and Game Design. We have taught fashion designers, architects, directors, and writers who want to bring their stories to life. We have done character creation from companies in Germany for logos and branding to apps. We also do architectural renders.
Tell us about yourself
I went into the U.S. Army when I was 18 and served in Special Operations for 13 years till I was injured. I am a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business. When I left the service, I went to college and earned a degree in Network Administration. I held numerous positions in the I.T. world from help desk, I.T. Manager, root cause expert, consultant, and project manager for 14 years. I left I.T. and began pursuing a lifelong dream in 3D art. I have been doing drawing, pen/ink, and pastels since I was 5. I created animated flipbooks. I suffer from PTSD, so I can't draw like that anymore because my hands shake. I found 3D art. It helps with my PTSD. I got into animation and other areas. We are partnered with Epic and their product Unreal Engine. I haven't looked back. In 2017, I created my LLC, The Divine Saga Studios, LLC. I love working for myself.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
That we are debt-free for the most part and have been in business since 2017, we have worked on projects as a white-label service for the Walking Dead and some shows in the U.K. We are currently focusing on our own content and teaching. We cut down on the learning curve. As stated before, we have students from all over the world. We have statements posted on our website in the School section.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Finding the perfect customer, placing yourself in the right place for the right customer. We have an idea of our perfect customer but are not sure how to consistently find them.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
First, it is hard, so manage your expectations. Second, do research and see if there is a need for your product or service. Lastly, it takes time, persistence, patients, and lots of work.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
We love helping people realize their dream.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://www.thedivinesagastudios.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedivinesagasstudios
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divinesaga/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kecantrell/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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