Female-Driven Shared Universe - Zenescope Entertainment
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in entertainment but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Joe Brusha, co-founder, and president of Zenescope Entertainment, located in Horsham, PA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Zenescope Entertainment is one of the longest-running independent comic book and graphic novel publishers in business today. We publish original fantasy, horror, and sci-fi books that tell stories that depart from the usual comic book superhero fare.
Tell us about yourself
I was an aspiring screenwriter, and I've always wanted to tell stories that entertain and move people. Turning those movie ideas into comic books and graphic novels seemed like a natural progression. Creating and publishing stories that add a little bit of entertainment and joy to people's lives. Hopefully, inspiring them is what keeps me going every day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Surviving for over 17 years while publishing over 12 million books in a very competitive market that's dominated by Marvel and DC.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Time management and prioritizing what needs to be done on a daily basis. As a small business owner, it seems like there are a thousand things that need to be done every day. Learning how to focus on the most important tasks and get them done without being distracted by less important things is always a challenge.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- However much startup capital you think you need to carry you through the first two years...triple it. Cash flow is always difficult for the first few years.
- Learn everything you can about sales and marketing. If you are starting your own business, you have to be able to sell yourself and your products every day. No matter how great your product or service, no one is going to find it or buy it unless you market and sell the hell out of it.
- Remember that failure and challenges are just obstacles in your way. You are going to fail. You are going to face hard challenges. How you respond to them is what will determine whether your business succeeds or fails.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
If you have a dream to start a business, follow it even if you don't have everything figured out. Don't let that or the fear of failing stop you. There's a good chance you will fail the first time, and it doesn't matter. Try again. Too many people are afraid to take chances in our world today. Too many people are afraid to fail. Everyone fails. That's life. So go for it and if you get knocked down, learn from your mistakes, and get back up and try again.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://zenescope.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zenescope/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenescope/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Zenescope
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zenescope-entertainment/
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.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.